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Yew (Taxus)
Taxus baccata
A professional reference for veterinary specialists. It does not replace clinical judgement.
Species and toxic dose
| Species | Risk | Toxic dose |
|---|---|---|
| Dog | Toxic | A total of about 30 g is listed as fatal for a dog; monogastric animals die at about 0.1% of body weight. Reference book A veterinary reference written and reviewed by specialists, summarising accepted practice. The product label gives the authorised dose. |
| Cat | Toxic | Not established in the open sources |
Toxic principle
Taxines A and B in all parts except the red aril block sodium and calcium currents in heart muscle and can stop the heart in diastole.
Onset
In the acute form, death 1-3 hours after ingestion; most animals are found dead within 24 hours.
Clinical signs
Often sudden death from acute heart failure. In dogs tremors, dyspnoea and seizures may come first; also ataxia, bradycardia, hypotension, diarrhoea.
Organs affected
Heart, central nervous system.
Treatment principle (for veterinarians)
No treatment exists for the acute form. Aggressive decontamination with activated charcoal and a cathartic; atropine used carefully for bradycardia. This guidance comes from livestock; no dog- or cat-specific protocol was found.
In the reference: Atropine
A summary of the principles in the sources, not a protocol: doses and the plan are the treating veterinarian's decision.
Sources
- Reference book. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and non-toxic plants: yew. aspca.org
- Reference book. Department of Animal Science, Cornell University. Yew toxicology. poisonousplants.ansci.cornell.edu 2018
- Reference book. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Taxus spp. toxicosis. vet.cornell.edu news, 20 Feb 2024 2024
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This reference is still growing. Missing a product? Let us know. · Report an error or request an addition · Updated: 22 Oct 2026