PlantFunTar spot Toxic?
Primary toxicity risk is to horses, linked to potentially fatal seasonal pasture myopathy with 75% untreated mortality within 72 hours.
Toxicity is driven by Hypoglycin A from affected Acer tree parts, with fungal mycotoxins and potential Clostridium sordellii acting as aggravating factors.
Dark discolored Acer seeds and black-spot infected leaves are the primary toxic materials to avoid exposure to.
FAQ
Is Tar spot toxic to Humans?
No confirmed toxicity symptoms in humans reported to date. (Non-toxic)
Is Tar spot toxic to Cats?
No confirmed toxicity symptoms in cats reported to date. (Non-toxic)
Is Tar spot toxic to Dogs?
No confirmed toxicity symptoms in dogs reported to date. (Non-toxic)
Is Tar spot toxic to Horses?
Atypical/seasonal pasture myopathy including muscle weakness, stiffness, dark urine, frequent lying down, colic signs, muscle tremors, and severe muscle pain. (High)
Toxicity Details
No confirmed toxicity symptoms in humans reported to date.
No confirmed toxicity symptoms in cats reported to date.
No confirmed toxicity symptoms in dogs reported to date.
Atypical/seasonal pasture myopathy including muscle weakness, stiffness, dark urine, frequent lying down, colic signs, muscle tremors, and severe muscle pain.
Toxicity Snapshot
First Aid & Prevention
First 30 Minutes
- • Immediately remove exposed animals from pastures with Acer trees, fallen leaves or seeds.
- • Administer activated charcoal to horses with confirmed recent ingestion under veterinary guidance.
- • Collect samples of any suspected ingested material for veterinary laboratory identification.
Contact Vet Immediately
- • Any observed ingestion of spotted leaves or discolored maple seeds by horses.
- • Appearance of muscle weakness, dark urine, colic or tremors in horses pastured near maple stands.
- • Unexplained muscle pain or lethargy in grazing horses during spring or fall high-risk periods.
Prevention
- • Limit horse pasture access to under 6 hours daily during high-risk spring and fall (October-December) seasons.
- • Avoid grazing horses on pastures with maple (Acer) tree stands, old wood or accumulated leaf litter.
- • Provide adequate hay supplementation on overgrazed pastures to reduce foraging for fallen tree parts.
Treatment & Prognosis
- • Perform gastrointestinal decontamination (activated charcoal, cathartics) for confirmed recent ingestions.
- • Administer supportive care including IV fluids, pain management and muscle support as clinically indicated.
- • Closely monitor kidney and muscle function for 72 hours post-exposure to catch complications early.
Professional Toxicology
• Hypoglycin A from affected Acer plant parts inhibits fatty acid metabolism, leading to severe muscle tissue damage.
• Rhytisma acerinum mycotoxins act as an aggravating factor that increases toxicity severity.
• Potential Clostridium sordellii infection may exacerbate clinical signs in affected horses.
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.