PlantFunHairy buttercup Toxic?
Toxic protoanemonin only forms when the plant is wilted or damaged; dried hay containing this plant is non-toxic as protoanemonin converts to harmless anemonin.
Small ingestion typically causes only mild gastroenteritis, while large or prolonged intake can lead to severe symptoms including paralysis and rare fatalities in livestock.
Silage containing this plant is only safe for feeding after a minimum of 2 months of ensiling, when ranunculin levels drop to non-toxic ranges.
FAQ
Is Hairy buttercup toxic to Humans?
No specific clinical data documented for humans; ingestion is expected to cause mouth and throat irritation, mild abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. (Low)
Is Hairy buttercup toxic to Cats?
No species-specific data available; ingestion may cause oral blistering, excessive salivation, vomiting and diarrhea. (Low)
Is Hairy buttercup toxic to Dogs?
No species-specific data available; ingestion may cause oral blistering, excessive salivation, vomiting and diarrhea. (Low)
Is Hairy buttercup toxic to Horses?
Mild gastroenteritis with small intake; large/extended ingestion causes mouth/lip blisters, redness, swelling and excessive salivation, lower digestive tract irritation leading to diarrhea, colic, weakness, blood in urine, tremors, seizures, paralysis, and rare death from respiratory paralysis; may also cause udder inflammation with reddish, bitter milk in lactating mares. (High)
Toxicity Details
No specific clinical data documented for humans; ingestion is expected to cause mouth and throat irritation, mild abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea.
No species-specific data available; ingestion may cause oral blistering, excessive salivation, vomiting and diarrhea.
No species-specific data available; ingestion may cause oral blistering, excessive salivation, vomiting and diarrhea.
Mild gastroenteritis with small intake; large/extended ingestion causes mouth/lip blisters, redness, swelling and excessive salivation, lower digestive tract irritation leading to diarrhea, colic, weakness, blood in urine, tremors, seizures, paralysis, and rare death from respiratory paralysis; may also cause udder inflammation with reddish, bitter milk in lactating mares.
Toxicity Snapshot
First Aid & Prevention
First 30 Minutes
- • Remove any remaining plant material from the mouth or skin of the exposed individual immediately.
- • Rinse affected oral cavity or skin with clean, cool water to reduce irritation.
- • Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed by a medical or veterinary professional.
Contact Vet Immediately
- • If the exposed animal has ingested more than a small mouthful of fresh/wilted plant material.
- • If symptoms such as excessive salivation, blistering, diarrhea, colic, tremors or seizures appear post-exposure.
- • If exposure involves horses or other livestock that may have consumed 1kg or more of the plant.
Prevention
- • Do not allow pets or livestock to graze in areas with heavy growth of Hairy buttercup.
- • Ensure silage is ensiled for a minimum of 2 months before feeding to livestock to eliminate toxic ranunculin levels.
- • Remove all fresh Hairy buttercup plants from animal enclosures; dried plant material is non-toxic and safe in hay.
Treatment & Prognosis
- • Perform appropriate decontamination procedures based on exposure type.
- • Administer mucosal protectants to reduce irritation to the digestive tract and oral mucosa.
- • Provide symptomatic supportive care including fluid therapy for dehydration from diarrhea/vomiting.
- • Administer antihistamines if required for allergic reactions, and monitor for neurological symptoms (tremors, seizures) closely.
Professional Toxicology
• Non-toxic ranunculin in intact plant tissue is converted to toxic protoanemonin via enzymatic cleavage when the plant is wilted or damaged.
• Protoanemonin is a strong irritant that affects mucosal membranes, digestive tract, and nervous system in high doses.
• Protoanemonin is unstable and converts to non-toxic anemonin when dried, making the plant non-toxic in dry hay.
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.