PlantFunSummer pheasant's-eye Toxic?
All plant parts are toxic, with highest cardenolide concentration during flowering, and higher toxin levels in seeds than foliage
Ingestion causes gastrointestinal symptoms, respiratory distress, and fatal cardiac arrest; horses and pigs are far more susceptible than ruminants
Dried plant material remains toxic, and may not cause the oral irritation seen with fresh plant consumption
FAQ
Is Summer pheasant's-eye toxic to Humans?
Potential abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heart rate, respiratory distress, and cardiac arrest if large amounts are ingested (High)
Is Summer pheasant's-eye toxic to Cats?
Expected vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, abnormal heart rhythm, and risk of cardiac arrest following ingestion (High)
Is Summer pheasant's-eye toxic to Dogs?
Expected vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, abnormal heart rhythm, and risk of cardiac arrest following ingestion (High)
Is Summer pheasant's-eye toxic to Horses?
Feed refusal, vomiting, colic, gastrointestinal bloating, tympany, diarrhea, dyspnea, shock, and potentially fatal cardiac arrest (High)
Toxicity Details
Potential abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heart rate, respiratory distress, and cardiac arrest if large amounts are ingested
Expected vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, abnormal heart rhythm, and risk of cardiac arrest following ingestion
Expected vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, abnormal heart rhythm, and risk of cardiac arrest following ingestion
Feed refusal, vomiting, colic, gastrointestinal bloating, tympany, diarrhea, dyspnea, shock, and potentially fatal cardiac arrest
Toxicity Snapshot
First Aid & Prevention
First 30 Minutes
- • Remove all remaining plant material from the patient's mouth and surrounding area
- • Collect a sample of the ingested plant for formal identification
- • Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly directed by a medical or veterinary professional
Contact Vet Immediately
- • Any confirmed or suspected ingestion of Adonis aestivalis, even if no symptoms are present
- • Appearance of symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, colic, difficulty breathing, or abnormal heart rate after exposure
- • Severe symptoms including bloating, shock, or loss of consciousness
Prevention
- • Inspect hay and pasture for Adonis aestivalis, especially during its summer flowering season
- • Keep the plant out of reach of pets, livestock, and small children
- • Reject any feed batches found to contain Adonis species plant material
Treatment & Prognosis
- • Perform decontamination (e.g. activated charcoal administration) as clinically appropriate
- • Provide supportive symptomatic care and enforce rest for affected animals
- • Administer atropine to treat clinical bradycardia as prescribed by a veterinarian
- • Monitor cardiac function continuously until all symptoms fully resolve
Professional Toxicology
• Cardenolide cardiac glycosides inhibit sodium-potassium ATPase pumps in cardiac cells, disrupting normal heart rhythm and function
• Fresh plant material can cause direct irritation to the gastrointestinal mucosal lining upon ingestion
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.