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Distinguishing featuresYews are evergreen trees and shurbs that have flat, needle-like leaves , about 1 inch long. They grow in opposite pairs along twigs. A distinguishing feature of the yew is the red fleshy berry that forms a cup around a black seed. |
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| Description. These plants are landscape shrubs with small, narrow, strap-like evergreen leaves that are two-ranked along the stem. The leaves taper bluntly to a point. The fleshy fruit (known as an aril) turns red when ripe. | ||||||
| Exposure. Animals gain access when trimmed hedges or shrubs are carelessly cast into pastures or when animals escape into landscaped areas. | ||||||
| Toxic principle. Taxine alkaloids (A and B) are believed to inhibit depolarization in the heart. The whole plant, except for the red aril (fruit), is toxic. | ||||||
| Toxicity. This plant is highly toxic to herbivores. As little as 6-8 ounces of fresh yew may kill an adult cow or horse. | ||||||
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Diagnosis. Acute onset and sudden death are common. Often animals are found dead with no premonitory signs. Clinical signs: trembling, muscle weakness, dyspnea, and collapse are cardinal clinical signs. Arrhythmia, bradycardia, and diastolic heart block appear to be the cause of death. Laboratory diagnosis: some laboratories can detect yew alkaloids in appropriate samples such as rumen contents. Lesions. Diagnosis often depends on finding evidence of yew leaves in the rumen or stomach contents. |
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Treatment: ü assisted respiratory and vascular support may be helpful ü detoxification measures, including activated charcoal and catharsis, should be promptly taken ü atropine may be helpful to combat the cardio-depressant effect of taxine, but must be given early in the course of the disease. |
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Copyright © 2002University of Pennsylvania Created by: Alexander Chan (2003), Daphne Downs (2002), Chris Tsai (2001), Brett Begley (2000), Janet Triplett (1997) Faculty Advisor: Dr. Robert Poppenga
