“Good weeds, bad weeds - Coldwater Daily Reporter” plus 1 more

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Good weeds, bad weeds - Coldwater Daily Reporter Posted: 30 Sep 2020 06:30 AM PDT By Dr. Joanna Bronson This was a very dry August and early September, and pastures and hayfields abound with noxious weeds. Some weeds are safe and provide a variety of tastes for pasturing animals. However, other weeds are not safe and should be avoided or eliminated from pastures or hay forage. Some weeds are actually good for horses. Dandelions are rich in vitamins A, B, C, and D and also contain many minerals. Horses can eat all parts of this weed. Dandelions also have blood cleansing properties and act as a powerful diuretic. However, Cat's Ears look like Dandelions and are toxic to consume. Goldenrod is another colorful yellow weed that can help promote appetite and improve digestion. Goldenrod is also helpful for arthritis and the hair coat. There are over 100 varieties of Goldenrod that are all edible. Chickweed contains vitamins C, D, B6, B12, beta-carotene, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, and phosphorus, all provide beneficial elements. Broadleaf plantain is rich in potassium, calcium, sulfur, and also contains vitamin K. Chopped or mashed fresh plantain leaves can be used to treat insect bites and stings on humans and horses. One of the most prominent plantain weeds in our area is the common Buckhorn. This weed is not poisonous and flourishes from May through October. Stinging nettle has a bad reputation due to the sharp hairs on the leaves and stems which inject histamine when touched. However, once cut and dried, the nettle loses its' stinging ability and is a great source of vitamin C, calcium, and potassium. It's also a good tonic and blood cleanser, and has helped horses suffering from sweat itch or other skin conditions. All toxic weeds should be exterminated from pastures. These weeds include deadly Nightshade, Buttercups, Bracken Fern, Poison Hemlock, Pokeweed, Wild Parsnip, Horse Tails, Redroot Pigweed, Knapweed, and Smooth Bedstraw, among others, dependent on the region. Nightshade has a pretty purple flower with a yellow pointed center. It likes sandy soil and thrives in dry conditions. Horses do not usually seek out this weed, but it may be accidentally ingested in baled hay. Signs of nightshade poisoning may include: colic-like symptoms, loss of muscle control and inability to stand, disorientation, stumbling, or other neurological signs, dilated pupils, and ultimately death. Buttercups are another pretty flower. Horses generally avoid them because of their bitter taste and blistering of the mouth. Buttercups cause blistering, drooling, and colic-like symptoms, and diarrhea. After a hard frost or dried in hay, they are no longer toxic. Bracken Fern is commonly seen along roadside, in fields, in light bush areas, and even some gardens. Even dried ferns are toxic. If a horse eats a large quantity, the toxins can cause a vitamin B1 deficiency. Symptoms of poisoning may include; loss of coordination, depressed heart rate, arrhythmia, weight loss, and eventual death if not treated promptly. Horse Tails grow best in largely sandy, gravely soil, although some varieties flourish in marshy areas. Even dried and baled in hay, the toxins remain and destroy vitamin B in the horse's blood. Symptoms include weakness, (especially the hind legs), apparent blindness due to central nervous system damage, liver disease, and eventually death. Lamb's Quarter is also called Pigweed or Goosefoot. It's very common in gardens. Unless there is no other food, horses usually do not consume it. If a large amount is eaten, symptoms include: weakness, respiratory distress, coma, and kidney failure. A common garden flower, that also grows wild is the Lily of the Valley which is very deadly if ingested for horses, humans, and pets. Symptoms may include: irregular heart rhythm, diarrhea/colic, weakness, and sudden death. Another weed, the Burdock, once established and allowed to mature can be very dangerous for horses. Its' burrs can attach themselves to hair, manes, and tails. Burrs, if attached near or in the soft tissues of the ears, eyes, nose, or mouth can become infected irritants and must be removed. Long-stemmed grasses and weeds can also harm delicate eyes when they pierce the outer membranes. Eye ulcers can form causing serious complications that can even lead to blindness. Pastures are best kept mowed and regularly inspected, so that weeds do not reseed and become a hazard. Thanks to the internet, weed identification is accessible. However, if identification is questionable, we can contact the local Michigan State University County Extension office. Trained agricultural agents can assist in identifying harmful weeds and provide the necessary information on how to eradicate them. Dr. Joanna Bronson of Bronson Veterinary Services, located at 452 W. Central Road, Coldwater. Contact her at (517) 369-2161 or visit www.bronsonvetservices.vetstreet.com.

Retinal findings in patients with COVID-19: Results from the SERPICO-19 study - The Lancet Posted: 20 Sep 2020 12:00 AM PDT [unable to retrieve full-text content]Retinal findings in patients with COVID-19: Results from the SERPICO-19 study  The Lancet

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