Dog's mercury Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 5 min read| 2,101 found this helpful

The entire plant is toxic even in dried state, containing harmful compounds including methylamine, saponins and hermidin

Ingestion causes severe symptoms in livestock including organ damage, bleeding, and potentially fatal neurological issues

Prognosis is favorable only if treatment is administered before cerebral depression or torticollis develop

FAQ

Is Dog's mercury toxic to Humans?

No confirmed human toxicity data available in the provided dataset (Low)

Is Dog's mercury toxic to Cats?

No confirmed cat toxicity data available in the provided dataset (Low)

Is Dog's mercury toxic to Dogs?

No confirmed dog toxicity data available in the provided dataset (Low)

Is Dog's mercury toxic to Horses?

Salivation, anorexia, watery diarrhea, weakness, jaundice, hematuria, possible painful urination (High)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

No confirmed human toxicity data available in the provided dataset

Cats

Low

No confirmed cat toxicity data available in the provided dataset

Dogs

Low

No confirmed dog toxicity data available in the provided dataset

Horses

High

Salivation, anorexia, watery diarrhea, weakness, jaundice, hematuria, possible painful urination

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsEntire plant, including when dried. Animals normally avoid it due to unpleasant odor and salty-bitter taste, except when feed is scarce

Exposure RouteIngestion is the primary exposure route

Toxic CompoundsMercurialin (methylamine); Trimethylamine; Hermidin; Saponin; Essential oils

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Induce vomiting if ingestion occurred within 2 hours, only under professional guidance
• Administer activated charcoal to absorb remaining unprocessed toxins
• Withhold additional feed until the affected individual is evaluated by a professional

Contact Vet Immediately

• If ingestion of the plant is suspected or confirmed
• If symptoms like salivation, diarrhea, weakness or jaundice appear
• If abnormal blood/hemoglobin stained urine is observed after potential exposure

Prevention

• Ensure livestock have sufficient uncontaminated feed to avoid consumption during feed scarcity
• Remove Dog's mercury plants from areas accessible to pets and livestock
• Train animal care staff to identify this toxic plant to avoid accidental inclusion in feed

Treatment & Prognosis

• Implement decontamination and symptomatic therapy per standard emergency protocols
• For affected cattle, administer 2L blood transfusion per animal, repeat as medically indicated
• Provide supportive care including fluid therapy and management of cardiac/respiratory symptoms

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameMercurialis perennis L.

AliasesBingelkraut、Wald-Bingelkraut、Kuhkraut、Mercuriale vivace、Mercorella bastarda

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsLow

DogsLow

HorsesHigh

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tractLiverKidneysCardiovascular systemNervous systemCirculatory system

Mechanism of Action

• Toxic compounds induce red blood cell damage leading to hemolysis, jaundice and hemoglobinuria

• Active ingredients disrupt normal function of the gastrointestinal, cardiac and nervous systems

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle: Symptoms include salivation, anorexia, apathy, colic, breathing difficulty, bloating, reduced rumen motility, diarrhea, anemia, jaundice, hemoglobinuria, heart arrhythmias, fever followed by hypothermia, possible blood in milk, torticollis, coma

Sheep: Symptoms include salivation, anorexia, watery diarrhea, weakness, jaundice, hematuria, possible painful urination

Pig: Symptoms include salivation, anorexia, watery diarrhea, weakness, jaundice, hematuria, possible painful urination

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Annual mercury Mercurialis annua

Visually highly similar to Dog's mercury, also highly toxic; distinguished by its annual life cycle, unlike the perennial Dog's mercury

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Related Toxic Plants

Euphorbia pulcherrima

Low

Crown-of-thorns

Euphorbia milii

Moderate

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.