PlantFunCommon Marsh Marigold Toxic?
All parts of the fresh plant are toxic, but toxins are fully inactivated in dried fodder.
Poisoning causes gastrointestinal distress, neurological symptoms, and rare fatalities in exposed livestock.
Treatment relies on prompt decontamination and symptomatic supportive care.
FAQ
Is Common Marsh Marigold toxic to Humans?
No formal human poisoning cases are documented, but ingestion is expected to cause mouth irritation, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, and potential neurological effects consistent with its toxin profile. (Moderate)
Is Common Marsh Marigold toxic to Cats?
No confirmed feline poisoning cases reported; ingestion is expected to cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal irritation. (Low)
Is Common Marsh Marigold toxic to Dogs?
No confirmed canine poisoning cases reported; ingestion is expected to cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal irritation and rare neurological effects. (Low)
Is Common Marsh Marigold toxic to Horses?
Confirmed poisoning cases reported; symptoms include salivation, stomatitis, potentially bloody diarrhea, colic, hematuria, hindlimb ataxia, vision disturbances, convulsions, and rare death. (Moderate)
Toxicity Details
No formal human poisoning cases are documented, but ingestion is expected to cause mouth irritation, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, and potential neurological effects consistent with its toxin profile.
No confirmed feline poisoning cases reported; ingestion is expected to cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal irritation.
No confirmed canine poisoning cases reported; ingestion is expected to cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal irritation and rare neurological effects.
Confirmed poisoning cases reported; symptoms include salivation, stomatitis, potentially bloody diarrhea, colic, hematuria, hindlimb ataxia, vision disturbances, convulsions, and rare death.
Toxicity Snapshot
First Aid & Prevention
First 30 Minutes
- • Remove any remaining fresh plant material from the mouth of the exposed person or animal immediately.
- • Rinse affected skin or eyes with cool running water for 10+ minutes if exposed to fresh plant sap.
- • Administer activated charcoal to conscious animals/humans if ingestion occurred within the last 30 minutes, as directed by a medical/vet professional.
Contact Vet Immediately
- • Any ingestion of more than a small mouthful of fresh plant material by pets or livestock.
- • Appearance of symptoms including bloody diarrhea, convulsions, ataxia, or vision changes post-exposure.
- • Suspected exposure in pregnant animals, young pets, or livestock with pre-existing health conditions.
Prevention
- • Remove all Caltha palustris plants from pastures, pet yards, and foraging areas accessible to humans and animals.
- • Do not feed fresh clippings of this plant to livestock; dried plant material in hay is non-toxic as toxins are inactivated.
- • Educate foragers to distinguish this plant from edible wetland species to avoid accidental ingestion.
Treatment & Prognosis
- • Perform decontamination via gastric lavage (for recent large ingestions) or activated charcoal administration to reduce toxin absorption.
- • Provide symptomatic supportive care including fluid therapy for dehydration, anti-convulsants for seizures, and pain management for colic.
- • Monitor kidney function, neurological status, and gastrointestinal symptom progression for 24-48 hours post-exposure.
Professional Toxicology
• Protoanemonin causes direct irritant damage to oral, esophageal, and gastrointestinal mucosa on ingestion.
• Alkaloid compounds (pyrrolizidine, aporphin, magnoflorin) drive neurological effects including ataxia, convulsions, and vision impairment.
• All toxic compounds are fully degraded during plant drying, so dried fodder containing this plant poses no poisoning risk.
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.