Cool, wet weather also encourages the growth of desirable cool-season forages, so unless pastures are seriously overgrazed, horses should normally be able to find enough nourishment without being forced to consume buttercups. Unusually wet weather favors the spread of buttercups in regions where they are not usually prevalent, and an overgrowth in pastures may lead to accidental ingestion because the plant can’t be avoided by grazing animals. Horses usually avoid ingesting the bitter leaves, but when turned out on overgrazed pasture, they may eat buttercups due to an absence of other forage. It is rarely encountered on light, well-drained soil. As well as pastures, buttercup inhabits woody areas, marshes, ditch banks, and swampy meadows. The plant grows best in wet soils and can thrive in heavy clay and damp sand or gravel. Cattle, goats, and pigs are also susceptible to the toxin.īuttercups are commonly found throughout North America. Affected horses can display hemorrhaging and congestion in the lungs on postmortem examination.
#CREEPING BUTTERCUP SKIN#
In severe cases, buttercup ingestion can lead to skin twitching, paralysis, convulsions, and death. Decreased appetite and a slowed pulse may also be present. Owners may notice blisters on the horse’s lips, swelling of facial tissue, excessive salivation, mild colic, and diarrhea that might contain blood. This bitter-tasting oil irritates the lining of the horse’s mouth and digestive tract. The leaves and stems of many species of buttercup contain ranunculin, a glycoside that forms the toxic blistering agent protoanemonin when the plant is chewed or crushed.
#CREEPING BUTTERCUP PROFESSIONAL#
For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.Buttercup ( Ranunculus spp.), a bright yellow annual, biennial, or perennial flower found in pastures, can cause serious problems in horses that eat it as they graze. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.ĬONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. There isn't enough reliable information to know if dried buttercup is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding.
Buttercup might cause the uterus to contract, and that could cause a miscarriage. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to use fresh buttercup, especially if you are pregnant. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if dried buttercup is safe or what the side effects might be. Some of the toxins in fresh buttercup might be destroyed when buttercup is dried. It can also increase the risk of sunburn. Skin contact can cause blisters and burns. When applied to the skin: Fresh buttercup is LIKELY UNSAFE when applied to the skin.
Other possible side effects include irritation of the bladder and urinary tract, abnormal heartbeat, headache, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. It may cause severe irritation of the digestive tract, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. When taken by mouth: Fresh buttercup is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth.
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