PlantFunBirdsville indigo Toxic?
Contains toxic indospicine (arginine analog) and 3-nitropropionic acid, with secondary poisoning risk for dogs that eat meat from affected animals
Causes progressive Birdsville Disease in horses that can be fatal if exposure continues for 2-4 months after symptom onset
Arginine supplementation and symptomatic supportive care are the core evidence-based treatment approaches for affected animals
FAQ
Is Birdsville indigo toxic to Humans?
No confirmed toxicity reports in humans are available in current clinical data (Non-toxic)
Is Birdsville indigo toxic to Cats?
No confirmed toxicity data for cats is available; precautionary avoidance of exposure is advised (Low)
Is Birdsville indigo toxic to Dogs?
Hepatotoxicity (liver damage) occurs via secondary poisoning from consuming meat of animals that ingested the plant (Moderate)
Is Birdsville indigo toxic to Horses?
Anorexia, apathy, ataxia, hindlimb weakness, hoof wear, weight loss, eye discharge, blindness, corneal clouding; symptoms worsen with stress, death may occur 2-4 months post-onset, partial recovery is possible if exposure stops (Moderate)
Toxicity Details
No confirmed toxicity reports in humans are available in current clinical data
No confirmed toxicity data for cats is available; precautionary avoidance of exposure is advised
Hepatotoxicity (liver damage) occurs via secondary poisoning from consuming meat of animals that ingested the plant
Anorexia, apathy, ataxia, hindlimb weakness, hoof wear, weight loss, eye discharge, blindness, corneal clouding; symptoms worsen with stress, death may occur 2-4 months post-onset, partial recovery is possible if exposure stops
Toxicity Snapshot
First Aid & Prevention
First 30 Minutes
- • Immediately remove all access to Birdsville indigo plant material for exposed animals
- • Perform appropriate gastrointestinal decontamination (emesis, activated charcoal) for recently exposed animals per species guidelines
- • Administer oral arginine or high-arginine feed (alfalfa hay, flaxseed) if available while awaiting veterinary care
Contact Vet Immediately
- • Any suspected ingestion of Birdsville indigo by horses, even if no symptoms are present
- • Dogs that have consumed meat from animals known to have grazed on this plant
- • Appearance of neurological symptoms, eye abnormalities, or unexplained weight loss in animals with access to the plant
Prevention
- • Inspect pastures regularly for Birdsville indigo growth and fully remove all identified plants
- • Never feed meat from livestock or horses exposed to this plant to dogs or other canids
- • Provide sufficient high-quality, arginine-rich forage to reduce risk of horses grazing toxic plants out of hunger
Treatment & Prognosis
- • Complete decontamination and symptomatic supportive care per veterinary emergency protocols
- • Oral arginine supplementation, or high-arginine feed (5kg alfalfa hay/day or 0.75kg flaxseed/day for horses)
- • Intravenous administration of essential amino acids (DL-methionine and lysine) as prescribed by a veterinarian
Professional Toxicology
• Indospicine acts as an arginine analog to disrupt protein synthesis and cause liver damage
• 3-Nitropropionic acid inhibits cellular energy production via mitochondrial dysfunction
• Indospicine accumulates in the tissue of exposed herbivores, leading to secondary liver toxicity in canids that consume contaminated meat
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.