Ponderosa pine
General poisoning notes:
Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) is a native tree in British Columbia. Pregnant cows that ingest the needles abort within 2 days to 2 weeks. Calves near full term may be born in good condition. Cows in the third trimester are affected; the problem usually occurs during winter and spring, when forage is scarce. Cows may retain the placenta. If medical attention is not given, a high degree of fatality can occur. Annual losses in the entire western United States have been estimated at 4.5 million dollars. This problem has also occurred in British Columbia (MacDonald 1952, Stevenson et al. 1972, Gartner et al. 1988, Lacey et al. 1988).
Nomenclature:
Scientific Name: Pinus ponderosa Dougl.
Vernacular name(s): ponderosa pine
Scientific family name: Pinaceae
Vernacular family name: pine
Pinus ponderosa Dougl.
Geographic Information
British Columbia
Toxic parts:
Needles (pine), young shoots
Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:
Although no chemical has been proved to cause toxicity and abortion in cattle, several toxic compounds have been suspected, including diterpene resin acids. Additional factors such as stage of gestation when ingestion occurs, environmental stress, and condition of the cow compound the problem. Inducting experimental abortion has not been consistent (Gartner et al. 1988).
Toxic plant chemicals:
Unknown chemical.
Animals/Human Poisoning:
Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.
Cattle
General symptoms of poisoning:
abortion
cervix dilation,narrow
death
fetus, dead
metritis septic
parturition, early
placenta, persistent
progesterone,decreased
uterine hemorrhage.
