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The Deadly Risks of Red Maple Trees: Toxicity and Identification for Horse Owners

Red maple trees pose a significant risk to horses due to the extreme toxicity of their wilted or dead leaves. Found primarily in the eastern parts of North America, these trees are adaptable and can be challenging to identify due to their seasonal changes in appearance. Symptoms of poisoning include severe depression, fatigue, and jaundice. Treatment options are limited, and unfortunately, a high percentage of affected horses may not survive. This guide provides crucial information on identification and the effects of ingestion to help prevent tragic outcomes.

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The Deadly Risks of Red Maple Trees: Toxicity and Identification for Horse Owners

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  1. The Deadly Truth about Red Maple Trees The leaves of red maple, especially when dead or wilted, are extremely toxic to horses. By: Rebecca Smith

  2. Where to locate them and how to identify them . . . • This tree is found in the Eastern parts of North America. • It’s adaptable to many different soil types. • Its appearance changes seasonally from leaves, to seed pods , to blossoming flowers. • This can make it very difficult to identify it. • The leaves vary from shades of dark orange to deep violate depending on the alkaline levels of the soil. • The bark of this tree runs in narrow, vertical strips that are dense and stiff. The outer layers of bark can vary from grey to shades of brownish grey. • The underside of the leaf with always be silver and the stem with have a red tip.

  3. Pictures to help with the identifying process . . .

  4. How the tree will affect your horse if ingested . . . The horse will show signs of: • Severe depression • Extreme Fatigue • Blue gums ( due to poor oxygen flow) • Brown urine • Jaundice: The yellowing of a horses eyes and gums , followed by white feces. This is due to the accumulation of bile in the liver.

  5. The Scientific Explanation for these Symptoms: • The toxin has not been identified yet , but it is thought to be an oxygen blocking agent because it damages the red blood cells . This causes hemolysis ( when something blocks the transport of oxygen therefore preventing bodily functions from occurring) The ingestion of 1.5 pounds of leaves is considered toxic and 3 pounds is lethal. Symptoms ( shown in previous slide) occur within one to two days after ingestion.

  6. How to Treat a Horse that is Showing Signs of Red Maple Poisoning: Treatment is limited therefore 50- 75 percent of all horses will die within two days of poisoning. • Activated Carbon is used to block to absorption of the poison. • Methylene Blue or Mineral Oil , to kill the oxygen blocking agents. • Most horses with have to be euthanized to prevent further suffering.

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