Homestead mailing list

[Bunjov AT aol.com]

Hi, Gene - and all. 
I went looking. Without going any farther, I found  this (below). Aside from 
the dog thing (I remember Dax and Benny, but can't  remember which one you 
still have), there is the earthworm issue. Who'd a  thunk? 
BLACK WALNUT 
Juglans  nigra 
(walnut family) 
TOXICITY RATING:  Moderately toxic,  depending upon length of exposure. 
ANIMALS AFFECTED: Horses, dogs, possibly other  animals. 
DANGEROUS PARTS OF PLANT: ALL PARTS (ESPECIALLY  LEAVES) 
PLANT DESCRIPTION: These familiar trees are  recent additions to the list of 
poisonous plants. Little information is yet  available about their toxicity. 
Black walnuts are large (60-80 foot) forest  trees often planted as 
ornamentals. The bark has characteristic broad, round  ridges. The leaves are 
alternate, 
pinnately compound, 1 to 2 feet long, with 13  to 23 sharply toothed, 
tapered-pointed leaflets. Often there is no terminal  leaflet. The fruit is a 
very 
rough nut enclosed within a clammy glandular husk,  2 to 4 inches in 
diameter. 
SYMPTOMS: Horses are most often affected. When  horses are bedded on wood 
shavings containing more than about 20% of black  walnut shavings (which tend 
to 
be dark in color), clinical signs of laminitis  (inflammation of the laminae 
in the hoof) can occur within 12 to 18 hours of  contact, but 24 hours may 
elapse before signs manifest. Consumption of the  shavings may cause signs of 
laminitis as well as mild colic. Affected horses  become unwilling to move or 
have 
their feet picked up, are depressed, may  exhibit limb edema and signs of 
laminitis. Difficulty in breathing (increased  rate and depth) may be noted. 
Horses on pasture may show mild respiratory signs  from pollen or fallen 
leaves. 
Poisoning in dogs is reported occasionally when  the seed hulls are consumed, 
causing stomach upset and diarrhea  (gastroenteritis).  
The toxin causing equine laminitis has not been  clearly identified. It was 
once thought to be juglone, but this is not  believed to be the toxin. 
Juglone 
is produced by the  tree, which limits the growth of other plants in the 
vicinity. Walnuts are also  lethal to earthworms. 
FIRST AID: Remove black walnut shavings  immediately; cooling the hooves and 
legs with a hose can help. Call a  veterinarian if signs are severe or if 
shavings were consumed. Prompt removal of  shavings typically results in 
complete 
recovery. Respiratory signs in horses  usually do not require treatment 
unless 
severe or long lasting. Stomach upset in  dogs will resolve when hulls are no 
longer eaten 
PREVENTION: Do not use shavings containing black  walnut, limit access of 
horses to pastures with walnut trees. Purchase bedding  shavings only from 
reputable dealers. Do not let dogs eat walnut  hulls. 




**************Vote for your city's best dining and nightlife. City's Best 
2008.      (http://citysbest.aol.com?ncid=aolacg00050000000102)