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The Deadly Truth about Red Maple Trees

The Deadly Truth about Red Maple Trees . The leaves of red maple, especially when dead or wilted, are extremely toxic to horses. . By: Rebecca Smith . Where to locate them and how to identify them . . . . This tree is found in the Eastern parts of North America.

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The Deadly Truth about Red Maple Trees

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  1. The Deadly Truth about Red Maple Trees The leaves of red maple, especially when dead or wilted, are extremely toxic to horses. By: Rebecca Smith

  2. Where to locate them and how to identify them . . . • This tree is found in the Eastern parts of North America. • It’s adaptable to many different soil types. • Its appearance changes seasonally from leaves, to seed pods , to blossoming flowers. • This can make it very difficult to identify it. • The leaves vary from shades of dark orange to deep violate depending on the alkaline levels of the soil. • The bark of this tree runs in narrow, vertical strips that are dense and stiff. The outer layers of bark can vary from grey to shades of brownish grey. • The underside of the leaf with always be silver and the stem with have a red tip.

  3. Pictures to help with the identifying process . . .

  4. How the tree will affect your horse if ingested . . . The horse will show signs of: • Severe depression • Extreme Fatigue • Blue gums ( due to poor oxygen flow) • Brown urine • Jaundice: The yellowing of a horses eyes and gums , followed by white feces. This is due to the accumulation of bile in the liver.

  5. The Scientific Explanation for these Symptoms: • The toxin has not been identified yet , but it is thought to be an oxygen blocking agent because it damages the red blood cells . This causes hemolysis ( when something blocks the transport of oxygen therefore preventing bodily functions from occurring) The ingestion of 1.5 pounds of leaves is considered toxic and 3 pounds is lethal. Symptoms ( shown in previous slide) occur within one to two days after ingestion.

  6. How to Treat a Horse that is Showing Signs of Red Maple Poisoning: Treatment is limited therefore 50- 75 percent of all horses will die within two days of poisoning. • Activated Carbon is used to block to absorption of the poison. • Methylene Blue or Mineral Oil , to kill the oxygen blocking agents. • Most horses with have to be euthanized to prevent further suffering.

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