Toxic plants affecting both large and small animals are a major concern for the veterinarian in every country

Colombia has the second largest plant biodiversity of any country in the world, with about 25,000 species of vascular plants. This is due in part to its equatorial location, and large variation in elevation and associated gradients in temperatures and rainfall. Livestock in Colombia graze vast tracts of land with a wide variety of herbaceous and woody plants. Although the annual cattle mortality from plant poisoning in Colombia is estimated at 130,000, the economic impact on the entire livestock industry has not been fully evaluated. Information on toxic plants is scarce in Colombia, and livestock poisoning by plants is seldom documented. This review presents the current knowledge on the identity of plants known to have poisoned livestock in Colombia and on research conducted into these toxic plants. To the extent known, the toxic component(s), major clinical signs and circumstances of poisoning, location, and environmental factors are discussed. Many of the plants identified in Colombia are considered toxic on the basis of world literature, but toxicosis in Colombia has not always been documented. The information on toxic plant chemistry in Colombia is mostly limited to the plant’s nitrate or cyanide content. Research is needed to determine not only which plants represent a potential risk for animal health and production but also their phytochemistry and toxicology. It is strongly recommended that veterinarians document plant poisoning cases through government reporting services and that university and government veterinarians, scientists, and extension agents investigate episodes of plant toxicosis and publish their findings. This would help identify toxic species for further phytochemical and toxicological studies and possibly pharmacological activity.