Yew (Japanese Yew) Poisoning in Livestock: Short and to the Point

Yew {Taxus  sp.),  also  called Japanese or English Yew is a highly toxic evergreen ornamental  bush which is commonly used in household landscaping throughout Indiana and the Midwest. Numerous, preventable deaths in livestock (primarily cattle, horses, sheep, and goats) occur every year in Indiana. This usually happens when yew bush trimmings are provided to livestock as forage. As little as one half to two pounds of yew leaves can be fatal to a 500 pound animal.  The most common clinical sign reported to the ADDL is  sudden  death  within  24  hours. Occasionally, respiratory difficulty and weakness are reported prior to death. Diagnosis is made by finding taxinealkaloids in samples of stomach/rumen contents submitted frozen to the ADDL. There is no specific antidote for yew poisoning, therefore prevention is important. If livestock producers are uncertain as to what yew looks like, direct them to any store which sells bushes and shrubs. These stores are almost certain to carry this very common landscaping plant.

- by Jennifer Harms, B.S., Technician Christina Wilson, B.S.,Asst Chemist Robert Everson,PhD, Analytical Chemist Stephen Hooser,DVM, PhD, Toxicologist