rabbits and potato leaves

Re: rabbits and potato leaves

Tim Cheyne — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 08:38:56 GMT

[quote user="Alexander Campbell"]

Hi Tim

As far as I am aware the RVC still devotes a few sessions in their undergraduate teaching programme to cover poisonous plants. These lectures used to be given by Tim Ayliffe. Not sure what happens at other Vet schools - but in my opinion this is not "old hat" but vital!

Cheers

Alex

[/quote]

Thanks, Alex.

Good to hear that the toxicology sessions continue. The name Tim Ayliffe rings a bell but not sure why. In my day (not quite Victorian) the sessions were given by John Greatorex, himself a keen gardener and grower of champion sweet peas. I am afraid that we students gave neither him nor the tutorials the attention that was deserved. Since then, in a varied career in UK and overseas I have frequently rushed to the books to check on doubtful grazing and forage.

My use of the term 'old hat' was slightly tongue in cheek as so much clinical observation seems to have given way to assorted electronic bells and whistles these days.

Tim.

Re: rabbits and potato leaves

Alexander Campbell — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:17:56 GMT

Hi Tim

Cheers

Alex

Re: rabbits and potato leaves

Lucie Allcutt — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:33:37 GMT

[quote user="Tim Cheyne"]

[quote user="Alexander Campbell"]

The toxic principles are a mixture of glycoalkaloids - once called solanine when isolated in the 1820s apparently!

[/quote]

The name solanine persisted until quite recently and is still used because many of the plants involved (potato, tomato, eggplant, nightshade) are members of the family Solanaceae. That is (or was) what was taught in the veterinary schools. Is plant toxicology still taught, with students going on nature rambles searching for Ragwort etc? At one time the RVC had a small 'garden' of poisonous plants but that is probably very 'old hat' these days.

Tim.

[/quote]

My university (University of Florida) offers "poisonous plants" as an elective course to senior veterinary students. I took it as I think it's an interesting subject and we had quite a few rambles around different wilder bits of the University grounds trying to find the poisonous plants that we were learning about! Was super neat!

Re: rabbits and potato leaves

Tim Cheyne — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:57:37 GMT

[quote user="Alexander Campbell"]

The toxic principles are a mixture of glycoalkaloids - once called solanine when isolated in the 1820s apparently!

[/quote]

Tim.

Re: rabbits and potato leaves

Alexander Campbell — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:23:23 GMT

Hi hannah

In Cooper & Johnson's book "Poisonous Plants and Fungi in Britain" 2nd ed. there is quite a good section on potatoes and their toxic principles and effects in both humans and various animal species. The toxic principles are a mixture of glycoalkaloids - once called solanine when isolated in the 1820s apparently!

They also quote a reference where experimental feeding of rabbits with potato plants resulted in diarrhoea after 6 days. This was followed by extension of back and legs and then coma and death after 7-17 days.

Another reference mentioned describes rabbits losing "weight and condition" after eating greened potatoes.

No specific treatments mentioned however.

Hope this helps - if you want more details on the references or the book do drop me a line.

Cheers

Alex

Re: rabbits and potato leaves

Mark Holmes — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:15:19 GMT

The mis spelling of potatos is just to wind a few people up! Have fun with it!

Re: rabbits and potato leaves

Mark Holmes — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:13:30 GMT

Potatoes foliage is toxic to most animals, syptoms include abdominal cramping and vomiting so some treatment for pain and potentially gastric stasis might be worth trying however most animals leave them alone and rabbits IMHO do seem to know what they should avoid. Are they known to have been consumed?

Re: rabbits and potato leaves

Tim Cheyne — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:35:14 GMT

Off the cuff, I think that it is due to the solanin content, and potatoes that are turning green due to exposure to light are also toxic. Tomato leaves and plants are similarly poisonous.

Tim.