Yew (Japanese or English Yew) Ingestion is Deadly to Livestock! 

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) due to Taxus ingestion occur every year in Indiana.  This usually happens when yew bush trimmings are thrown to livestock to eat.  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 yew leaves in the stomach/rumen contents at necropsy or by finding taxine alkaloids 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 Stephen Hooser, DVM, Toxicologist

  Robert Everson, PhD, Analytical Chemist

  Christina Wilson, B.S., Asst. Chemist

  Regina Bedel, BS, Technician