PlantFunJapanese maple Toxic?
Hypoglycin A in its seeds/seedlings and mycotoxins from Rhytisma acerinum on infected leaves are its primary toxic components.
It is severely toxic to horses, causing atypical myopathy with a 75% mortality rate within 72 hours of symptom onset.
No confirmed toxicity data for cats, dogs, or humans is available in the referenced CliniTox dataset.
FAQ
Is Japanese maple toxic to Humans?
No confirmed toxicity data available in referenced datasets (Non-toxic)
Is Japanese maple toxic to Cats?
No confirmed toxicity data available in referenced datasets (Non-toxic)
Is Japanese maple toxic to Dogs?
No confirmed toxicity data available in referenced datasets (Non-toxic)
Is Japanese maple toxic to Horses?
Atypical/seasonal pasture myopathy including muscle weakness, stiffness, dark urine, frequent recumbency, colic signs, muscle tremors, severe muscle pain; 75% mortality within 72 hours of symptom onset (Severe)
Toxicity Details
No confirmed toxicity data available in referenced datasets
No confirmed toxicity data available in referenced datasets
No confirmed toxicity data available in referenced datasets
Atypical/seasonal pasture myopathy including muscle weakness, stiffness, dark urine, frequent recumbency, colic signs, muscle tremors, severe muscle pain; 75% mortality within 72 hours of symptom onset
Toxicity Snapshot
First Aid & Prevention
First 30 Minutes
- • Induce emesis if ingestion occurred <2 hours prior and the animal is conscious
- • Administer activated charcoal to reduce further toxin absorption
- • Keep affected animals calm and restrict movement to minimize muscle damage
Contact Vet Immediately
- • Suspected ingestion of Acer palmatum seeds, seedlings, or infected leaves by horses
- • Onset of muscle weakness, dark urine, tremors, or colic after exposure to maple trees
- • Recumbency or severe pain observed in grazing horses during spring or autumn risk periods
Prevention
- • Limit horse grazing time to <6 hours per day during high risk periods (spring, October-December)
- • Avoid grazing horses on pastures with maple trees, old wood, or fallen maple foliage
- • Provide sufficient hay supplementation on overgrazed pastures to reduce foraging of toxic plant parts
Treatment & Prognosis
- • Gastrointestinal decontamination (emesis, activated charcoal, cathartics) as clinically appropriate
- • Symptomatic supportive care including IV fluids, pain management, and muscle support therapy
- • Monitor kidney function and muscle enzyme levels for at least 72 hours post-exposure
Professional Toxicology
• Hypoglycin A disrupts fatty acid oxidation leading to skeletal muscle cell necrosis
• Mycotoxins from Rhytisma acerinum increase toxicity severity as a complicating factor
• Clostridium sordellii infection may worsen clinical outcomes in affected animals
Information from CliniTox veterinary text.
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Data Sources
This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.