PlantFunBulbous buttercup Toxic?
Toxicity activates only when the plant is wilted or damaged, as non-toxic ranunculin breaks down into irritant protoanemonin via enzymatic action.
Dried bulbous buttercup in hay is completely non-toxic, while silage is only safe for livestock after 2 full months of ensiling.
Severe toxic effects only occur if large quantities (≥2kg for horses) are eaten acutely, or small amounts are consumed over 3+ weeks.
FAQ
Is Bulbous buttercup toxic to Humans?
No species-specific clinical data recorded; mild gastrointestinal irritation is expected with small ingestion, while large/repeated doses may cause mouth blistering, diarrhea and neurological symptoms. (High)
Is Bulbous buttercup toxic to Cats?
No species-specific clinical data recorded; may exhibit oral irritation, salivation and mild gastroenteritis at low doses, with severe effects possible at high exposure levels. (High)
Is Bulbous buttercup toxic to Dogs?
No species-specific clinical data recorded; may exhibit oral irritation, salivation and mild gastroenteritis at low doses, with severe effects possible at high exposure levels. (High)
Is Bulbous buttercup toxic to Horses?
Mild gastroenteritis at low doses; acute ingestion of ≥2kg or 3+ weeks of repeated exposure causes mouth blisters, lip swelling, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, colic, hematuria, tremors, seizures, paralysis, and rare death from respiratory failure. Lactating mares may develop udder inflammation with reddish, bitter milk. (High)
Toxicity Details
No species-specific clinical data recorded; mild gastrointestinal irritation is expected with small ingestion, while large/repeated doses may cause mouth blistering, diarrhea and neurological symptoms.
No species-specific clinical data recorded; may exhibit oral irritation, salivation and mild gastroenteritis at low doses, with severe effects possible at high exposure levels.
No species-specific clinical data recorded; may exhibit oral irritation, salivation and mild gastroenteritis at low doses, with severe effects possible at high exposure levels.
Mild gastroenteritis at low doses; acute ingestion of ≥2kg or 3+ weeks of repeated exposure causes mouth blisters, lip swelling, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, colic, hematuria, tremors, seizures, paralysis, and rare death from respiratory failure. Lactating mares may develop udder inflammation with reddish, bitter milk.
Toxicity Snapshot
First Aid & Prevention
First 30 Minutes
- • Remove all remaining plant material from the mouth and skin of the exposed individual immediately.
- • Rinse the mouth and any exposed skin with clean, cool water to remove residual toxic sap.
- • Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed to do so by a medical professional or veterinarian.
Contact Vet Immediately
- • If a large quantity of fresh/wilted bulbous buttercup has been ingested by any animal.
- • If symptoms including mouth blistering, excessive salivation, diarrhea, colic, tremors or seizures appear post-exposure.
- • If livestock have been consuming feed with visible bulbous buttercup contamination for longer than 1 week.
Prevention
- • Inspect pastures and animal feed regularly for fresh or wilted bulbous buttercup growth, and remove identified plants promptly.
- • Ensure silage is ensiled for a minimum of 2 months before feeding to livestock to reduce ranunculin levels to non-toxic thresholds.
- • Restrict access of pets and grazing livestock to areas with heavy infestations of Ranunculus species.
Treatment & Prognosis
- • Perform appropriate decontamination procedures specific to the exposed species.
- • Administer mucosal protectants to reduce irritation of the gastrointestinal and oral mucous membranes.
- • Provide symptomatic supportive care including fluid therapy, pain management, and antihistamines if clinically indicated.
Professional Toxicology
• Intact plants contain non-toxic ranunculin, which is converted to toxic protoanemonin via enzymatic cleavage when the plant is wilted, crushed or damaged.
• Protoanemonin is unstable and readily dimerizes to non-toxic anemonin, so fully dried plant material (e.g., hay) has no toxic activity.
• Ranunculin levels in silage only drop to the non-toxic threshold of 6g/kg dry matter after 2 months of proper ensiling.
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.