Page 513 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

hospital if possible as soon as the diagnosis is made.

Supportive therapy including vitamins, minerals and antioxidants may be helpful.
VetBooks.ir PROGNOSIS

The prognosis is variable depending on the amount of toxin ingested, the individual

susceptibility of the horse to the poison, and the treatment given. Thus some horses on a
pasture may be affected but not others. With prompt treatment many horses make a full

recovery. If they are still alive 5 days after showing the first signs of illness, the prognosis is
reasonably good.

All parts of the sycamore tree are poisonous but the seeds and seedlings of different trees
contain variable amounts of toxin. Samples may be sent to the Royal Veterinary College to

test the level of toxin in seeds, leaves and seedlings.

PREVENTION

• Regularly inspect the pasture for sycamore seeds or seedlings (Figure 11.11).

• Check surrounding areas for the presence of sycamore trees. The ‘helicopter’ seeds can

be carried a long way on the wind.
• Fence off any contaminated areas of pasture.

• If possible, pick up seeds and remove seedlings.

• Remove the horses from the pasture while this is done.
• Small flat paddocks can be mowed with a garden lawnmower provided the clippings are

collected and removed.

• Provide extra forage for the horses as some seeds will remain on the pasture and in spring
the seeds germinate and new seedlings appear daily.