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Poisonous Plants Numerous plants are poisonous to Pygmy goats. Don't trust your goats to not eat plants that are bad for them. It is up to you to provide the fencing to keep your goats out of harm's way and to rid your pasture of harmful plants. Plants vary in their toxicity, and symptoms can range from very mild to death. In case of suspected poisoning, consult your vet immediately. Here is where it is important to have a good relationship with a vet experienced in treating goats, since they don't always get into trouble during regular office hours. I know of a case where the owners knew their goat had gotten into something, and waited to see what happened. What happened was they had to dig a large hole to bury their goat, who probably could have been saved if treated immediately. Symptoms of poisoning (varying from mild to severe) may include: abortion blindness bloat chronic weight loss colic coma constipation convulsions bleating skin problems diarrhea difficult breathing dilated pupils dull coat fever frothing hyperactivity lameness muscle spasms tremors sensitivity to light rapid heart rate salivation staggering vertigo vomiting weak pulse walking in a circle Here is another case where it is important to know your goats and their individual behaviors. I came home to a goat that was acting weird and panting. On interrogating my children, I found out the goats had been out of the pen and around our deck, where there were rhododendrons. I rushed the goat to the vet and his life was saved. Had I not paid attention to his behavior, he would have been dead. If poisoning is suspected, do the following: prevent further ingestion isolate the goat and provide fresh water avoid stressing the goat save a sample of the suspected plant to aid in diagnosis contact your veterinarian immediately avoid home remedies The plant list below is from the Clackamas County Extension Service and are plants reported to be toxic to livestock in general in varying amounts. Certain plants only grow in specific regions of the US, and it is a good idea to consult your local extension agent for regional information. Toxicity may vary due to an animal's age, size, condition, quantity consumed, season of the year, plant part consumed, and the individuality of the goat. Some plants are cumulative and the toxicity builds over time. I will admit that my goats have eaten some things on this list with no apparent effect, but I certainly am not going to contrdict a published list. Poisonous Plants Apricot -wilted leaves Avocado Azalea Baneberry-berries Beet leaves Bleeding heart Bluebonnet-seed Bracken fern Burning bush Buttercup Calla lilly Castor bean Cherry-wilted leaves Chokecherry Christmas rose Cowbane Cow parsnip Cowslip Crocus Daffodil Daphne Death camas Delphinium Dieffenbachia Dog fennel Elderberry-foliage Elephant's ear English Ivy Flax Foxglove Hemlock Holly Horseradish Hyacinth Iris Jack-in-the-pulpit Jerusalem cherry Jimson weed Jonquil Golden Chain Lambsquarter Larkspur Laurel Leafy spurge Lily-of-the-valley Lobelia Lupine Milkweed Mistletoe Mock orange Mole plant Monkshood Motherwart Mountain laurel Narcissus Nettle Nightshade Oleander Peach-wilted leaves Petty spurge Philodendron Pigweed Plum-wilted leaves Pointsettia Poison ivy Poison oak Pokeweed Potato-foliage Primrose Red elderberry Rhododendron Rhubarb-leaves Rye grass-lush Scotch broom Skimmea Skunk cabbage Smartweed Spreading dogbane Stinging nettle St. John's wort Sweet pea Tansy ragwort Toadstools Tobacco Tomato-foliage Vetch-seed Water hemlock Wild carrot Wild cherry Wild ginger Yellow jessamine-flower Yew Pioneer Meadows Pygmy Goats 18383 S Grasle Rd Oregon City OR 97045 (503)631-2855 hmdahlin@mac.com