12. COMMON TANSY

Tanacetum vulgare

(daisy family)

TOXICITY RATING: Low.

ANIMALS AFFECTED: All animals may be affected.

DANGEROUS PARTS OF PLANT: Leaves, stems.

CLASS OF SIGNS: Salivating, colic, abdominal pain.

PLANT DESCRIPTION: These old-fashioned garden plants (fig. 12) were introduced from Europe and are now found in old gardens or along roadsides, creek banks, and waste areas. They are perennial herbs from a short, stout rootstock and bear alternate fern-like leaves with saw-toothed margins. The yellow, strong-scented, bitter-tasting flowers are in flat-topped clusters at the tops of the plant.

SIGNS: This is not a commonly reported toxic plant. Animals rarely ingest it, and this plant rarely occupies significant acreage in pastures. Illness and death in humans has been reported due to attempts at medicinal uses of concentrated plant extracts. Toxic signs may include salivating and abdominal pain (colic), with the possibility of convulsions and abortions occurring. The oil tanecetin is believed to cause the clinical signs.

FIRST AID: The risk of serious illness and death is slight with this tansy. Provide adequate and proper forage if the animals are eating this plant, and do not let pets nibble on the leaves or flowers.

SAFETY IN PREPARED FEEDS: Information is lacking on this, however, consider the plant toxic in prepared feeds.

PREVENTION: The risk of toxicosis is low with tansy, however if a pet begins to chew this plant, consider keeping the pet and plant separated (especially if the pet is confined in the plant's vicinity). If tansy occupies a significant amount of a pasture, consider mowing or otherwise eliminating the plant, or keeping the animals and plants separated.