Brackenfern (Pteridium aquilinum)

Goat Mineral Mix
Your support of our advertisers helps support GoatWorld!
Goat Mix
Meet old friends in the GoatWorld Picture Show!

This page contains information regarding a plant "known to be poisonous" to goats as well as other animals. This information was researched from various resources. Please note, that the author is not a botanist or specialist regarding plants. This information is posted for your reference and comparison purposes only.

Brackenfern - Click for a full size image Brackenfern - Click for a full size image

ALSO KNOWN AS:
Brake Fern (fern family)

DESCRIPTION:
The broad, triangular leaves (fronds) of this perennial fern rise 2-3 feet tall (sometimes to 4 feet) from a thick, brown or black, horizontal rootstock. Each frond divides into three main parts, and each of these is twice subdivided. The edges of the leaves usually turn under. Late in summer the lower edges of mature fronds bear powdery clusters of brown spores. These ferns are common in open, acid woodlands, burned-over areas, and open pastures in dry, sandy, or gravelly soil. Stands of bracken may be so dense that they crowd out all other plants. Although brackenfern grows over a wide geographic region, it is more common in the northern prairie and lake regions.

DANGEROUS PARTS OF PLANT:
All parts, especially the roots.

SIGNS:
Toxic signs vary between ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats) and monogastric animals (like horses and swine):

Horses: The toxin in brackenfern is thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys thiamine (vitamin B1). The horse then essentially suffers from a vitamin deficiency of thiamine, which causes myelin degeneration of peripheral nerves ( a loss of the fatty insulation layer to nerves that primarily control muscles). Poisoning can occur at any time of year, but is more likely in the late summer when other forages are scarce and the level of thiaminase is at its peak. Bracken is not considered palatable, but horses will eat it if no other forage is available, or they will consume it in hay or bedding, where it remains toxic. Some horses are believed to acquire a taste for it, and these horses will consume it even if other forages are available.

Horses need to consume bracken for one to two months prior to manifesting clinical signs. After this time horses may then be fed bracken-free forage and yet still develop clinical signs within 2 to 3 weeks. The first signs in horses is weight loss after a few days on bracken. Later, weakness and gait abnormalities are present, which progress to staggering, hence "bracken staggers". Affected horses may stand with their legs widely placed and their back arched. Muscle tremors and weakness is apparent when the horses are forced to move. Early in the course of the syndrome, a slow heart rate and abnormalities of the heart rhythm may be noted. Near the end of the clinical course, the heart rate and temperature rise, and the animals cannot get up and may have spasms and an upward arching of the head and neck. The syndrome runs its course, with death occurring within 2 to 10 days of the onset of signs, but it can be treated.

Swine would show signs similar to those in horses.

Ruminants, especially cattle: Thiaminase does not adversely affect ruminants since the ruminal bacteria degrade the enzyme. However, other toxins in bracken affect ruminants, most notably ptaquiloside, a lactone toxin that affects the bone marrow. The toxin is present in all parts of the plant, but is concentrated in the rhizomes, and is toxic in fresh as well as dried plants. Consumption of bracken results in the depression of bone marrow (and thus red and white blood cell and platelet production), and the plant has a direct or indirect anti-coagulant property. Cattle show signs after grazing bracken for 1 to 2 months, although death may occur within this time frame as well. Affected cattle have an increased temperature, weight loss, and exhibit increased bruising and bleeding. From the excessive bleeding, cattle are anemic, and can die within a week of showing signs. Young cattle may develop swelling in the larynx and have difficulty breathing. Sheep may be poisoned in a similar manner, but are apparently more reluctant to consume bracken.

The plant is also reported to contain carcinogenic substances, but instances of cancer in animals resulting from bracken fern ingestion is not well reported.

TOXICITY RATING:
Moderate.

ANIMALS AFFECTED:
Ruminants (especially cattle), horses, sometimes swine. Any grazing animal is susceptible. In ruminants: Bleeding disorders (bruising, hemorrhaging, anemia), breathing difficulties, weight loss, death.

CLASS OF SIGNS:
In horses and swine: Weight loss, weakness, gait abnormalities, abnormal heart rate and/or rhythm, inability to rise, death.

FIRST AID:
For ruminants: Immediately remove cattle from bracken pastures, or fence off the bracken areas to limit access. Do not feed hay or bed animals on straw that contains bracken. A veterinarian can assist with treatment of affected animals, but this may be cost prohibitive. Evacuation of the rumen and intestinal tract is usually not of value, since the poison accumulates in the system for many days, and there may be little or no toxin remaining in the digestive tract to be removed once clinical signs appear. Treatment is concerned with alleviating the clinical signs and providing supportive care. Blood transfusions may be attempted, but the prognosis is poor for clinically affected animals.

Horses: If horses are observed eating bracken, immediately remove them from the pasture, or in some way prevent access to the plant. Hay with bracken in it should never be fed. If large amounts were consumed, and especially if clinical signs are present, call a veterinarian immediately. The antidote is daily injections of thiamine for up to two weeks. Do not wait until the animal cannot rise, by then it may be too late. Provide similar first aid to swine.

SAFETY IN PREPARED FEEDS:
Bracken remains toxic when dry, and is never safe for consumption.

PREVENTION:
Sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis, fern family), may also be poisonous. Horses reportedly have become nervous and uncoordinated after eating this common fern of marshy areas.

Help Support GoatWorld - Become a Member Today!

Agricultural Research Service

Email: Contact INFO
Telephone: Contact INFO
Designed & Hosted by: JOLLY GERMAN
©1999-2024 GoatWorld.Com
All written, audio, video and graphic material contained within this site, except where otherwise noted, is Copyright ©1999-2024. Some content may also be the property of contributors to the site, in which case their material is also protected by applicable copyright laws and this copyright policy. No material may be linked directly to or reproduced in any form without written permission. If you would like to reprint something from our site, simply send us an email to request permission to do so. Please refer to our REPRINT criteria.
©Gary Pfalzbot, Colorado, USA
This site is run and operated by a Disabled Veteran

19-March-2024
Visitors today: 589