for Aug. 31, 2005 Q: I heard that there is a clover that is poisonous to horses and I was wondering if I have it in my pasture?
A: I think what you are referring to is Alsike Clover. It can be poisnous in large quantities and under certain conditions.
The best way to identify your clover is by the presence or absence of a faint white triangle on each leaf. Most clovers have that familiar design on the leaves. Alsike clover does not have this and has plain green leaves.
The clover you were asking about is a low- growing type that stays around 3 inches tall. That is another clue that it is not Alsike clover as alsike grows to 12-15 inches tall. The small clover is probably white or common clover which is not harmful for horses to eat.
Another common clover is Red Clover which has, you guessed it, large pink or red blooms. It is a tall growing clover but the color distinguishes it rom alsike clover which has small blooms that are white and/or pink, but occur all along the length of the plant. Common and white clover have fewer blooms that are on the terminal ends of the plant.
To reiterate,the surest way to ID is by the white inverted V which alsike clover does not have.
Signs of clover poisoning begin as photosensitivity (sunburn) on the non-pigmented areas of the horse. progressing over a long period of time to chronic liver damage.
Consult your county extension agent or veterinarian for help identifying clover and other forage questions.
Naches Veterinary Services and Cuddles Doggie Salon
Send your questions to:countryclassicsnaches@hotmail.com
Kaia Sorem, DVM
WSU 1984
Veterinary Service
Pet Grooming
Cuddles Doggie Salon
203 Naches Avenue
Naches WA 98937
1-509-653-2108Past Dr. Kaia columns:
Aug. 31, 2005 Alsike Clover- the Poison Clover
Aug. 24, 2005 Effective Treatment for Cat with Arthritis
Aug. 17, 2005 Goldfish Make Lots of Babies
Aug. 10, 2005 Is Cat Urine Odor Permanent?
Aug. 3, 2005 Is My Horse Navicular?
July 27, 2005 Rabbit Leaks Urine And Is In Pain
July 20, 2005 Too Many Lost Dogs
July 13, 2005 Horse Blanket in Summer?
July 6, 2005 Protecting Your Dog During Fireworks
June 29, 2005 Testicular Implants
June 22, 2005 Dogs In Cars In Hot Weather
June 15, 2005 Stallion Owners Require Uterine Culture Before Breeding My Mare by Ariticial Insemination
June 8, 2005 Care For Injured Horse While Waiting For Vet
June 1, 2005 Mange
May 25, 2005 Tick Paralysis
May 18, 2005 Dogs' Ears: Smells, Mites, Infections, Foreign Objects
May 11, 2005 Dangers in Horse Falling Over Backwards
May 4, 2005 More Ticks This Year
Apr. 27, 2005 Can the New Snake Bite Vaccine Fail to Save the Dog?
Apr. 20, 2005 Finding a Dog and Searching for Its Owner
Apr. 13, 2005 Microchip ID Tags Implanted in Dogs
Mar. 30 & Repeated on Apr. 6, 2005 A Dog Mauled by Coyotes
Mar. 23, 2005 Why Is My Mare In Heat For Two Weeks
Mar. 16, 2005 Light Winter Brings More Fleas and Ticks
Mar. 9, 2005 Does Early Spring Make Mares Ready to Breed Early?
Mar. 2, 2005 Holistic Medicine
Feb. 23, 2005 Alternative Medicine II- Human Nutritional Supplements for Pets
Feb. 16, 2005 Alternative Medicine
Feb. 9, 2005 How Big Will A Kitten Get?
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Jan. 26, 2005 Horse Colic in Winter Caused by Cold Water
Jan. 19, 2005 Blanket Horses in Winter?
Jan. 12, 2005 New Rattlesnake Vaccine Available
Jan. 5, 2005 Dog Christmas Party and Feeding Bones to Dogs
Dec. 22, 2004 Correct Age for Neutering Dog
Dec. 15, 2004 Dog Bites Are Very Serious In Many Ways
Dec. 8, 2004 Decorations Hazardous to Pets
Dec. 1, 2004 Does a Horse Need a Barn, and How Big?
Nov. 24, 2004 Dogs Scratching Because of Allergies
Nov. 17, 2004 Rescuing Injured Wild Animals
Nov. 10, 2004 Use ALL of Every Antibiotic Prescription
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Oct. 27, 2004 Horse Rubbing Mane and Tail
Oct. 20, 2004 What is Mangosteen?
Oct. 13, 2004 Will Neutering Stop Male Cat From Spraying?
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Sept. 22, 2004 Dog Dementia
Sept. 15, 2004 Treating Dog's Arthritis Can Prolong It's Life
Sept. 8, 2004 Dog Drinking and Urinating More Than Normal: Diabetes
Sept. 1, 2004 Dogs Scratching with Flea Bites
Aug. 25, 2004 Dogs Sore with Arthritis in Hips
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Aug. 4, 2004 Dogs Lose Appetite in Hot Weather
July 28, 2004 Fish Oil for Dogs
July 21, 2004 Dog Bitten by Wild Animal
July 14, 2004 Talking Birds- Some Understand The Words
July 7, 2004 Importance of Ultrasounding Pregnant Mare
June 30, 2004 Cleaning Dogs' Teeth
June 23, 2004 Male Cats Spraying in the House
June 16, 2004 Horse Chiropractors
June 9, 2004 Cats Disappearing in Spring
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May 26, 2004 Older Female Dog Leaking Urine
May 12 & 19, 2004 Having a New Horse Checked and a Dog Who Has Become Dominant and Biting Toward Humans
May 5, 2004 Satellite Veterinary Clinic in Naches
Apr. 28, 2004 May 1 Too Early to Shave a Dog?
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Apr. 14, 2004 Breeding a Mare with Transported Semen-- repeat
Apr. 7, 2004 Horse Racing Alive and Well in Kennewick
Mar. 31, 2004 Floating Horses' Teeth
Mar. 24, 2004 Swelling in Horse's Hock Serious?
Mar. 17, 2004 How Long Do Puppy Shots Last?
Mar. 10, 2004 Breeding a Mare with Transported Semen
Mar. 3, 2004 What is Doggie Day Care?
Feb. 25, 2004 Old Dog Uncomfortable, Trouble Getting Up
Feb. 18, 2004 Cat Urinating Blood or Not Urinating
Feb. 11, 2004 High Carbohydrate Hay Content Causing Foundering
Feb. 4, 2004 Cushing's Disease and Metabolic Syndrome
Jan. 28, 2004 Leaving Horses Shod in Winter Causes Sore Feet
Jan. 21, 2004 Feeding Elk in Winter
Jan. 14, 2004 Why So Much Colic At This Time of Year?
Jan. 7, 2004 Mad Cow Disease Threat is Very Serious
Dec. 24, 2003 Warts on Horse's Muzzle
Dec. 17, 2003 Horse with a "Gravel" Lame Foot
Dec. 10, 2003 Dogs Have Fleas in Winter?
Dec. 3, 2003 Cats and Christmas Decorations
Nov. 26, 2003 Pigeon Fever in Horses
Nov. 19, 2003 Dogs with Signs of Lethargy or Intoxication
Nov. 12, 2003 Groom Dog Less in Winter?
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Oct. 29, 2003 Dog Bad Breath
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Sept. 17, 2003 Found Sickly Puppy
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