Yew (Taxus Baccata)
The yew (Taxus baccata) is a widespread ornamental plant in gardens and cemeteries – but what many pet owners don’t know: The yew is extremely poisonous to dogs and cats. Even the smallest amounts of needles or seeds can lead to life-threatening symptoms in pets. In this article, you will learn everything important about yew poisoning in dogs and cats – from the causes and mechanism of action to emergency therapy and prognosis. We show how to recognize poisoning, what measures to take, and why it makes sense to avoid this dangerous plant in a pet household.
The most important facts at a glance
The yew (Taxus baccata) is life-threatening for pets – even in the smallest amounts. Dogs, in particular, ingest parts while walking or playing. The resulting heart problems are acute and often fatal. Prevention, education, and immediate veterinary measures can save lives.
Causes, development and progression
Typical causes of yew poisoning in pets:
- Ingestion of fallen needles during walks
- Eating branches or fruits in the garden
- Access to yew trimmings or Advent decorations
- Play behavior in young dogs with plant parts
- Poisoning from licked hands, clothing, or food bowls with yew residues
The red berry (aril) is not poisonous, but the seed kernel inside is highly toxic!
The heart, the entire nervous system, muscles, and the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract are particularly affected.
Mechanism of action
After oral ingestion of yew components, absorption begins via the gastric mucosa. After 30 minutes to 1 hour after ingestion, the first general symptoms may appear, particularly affecting the gastrointestinal tract.
Thereafter, cardiotoxic effects become apparent, initially with a significantly increased heart rate, but then a significantly decreased heart rate due to increasingly disturbed impulse conduction in the heart and a decrease in myocardial contractility (heart muscle).
The lethal dose for oral ingestion in humans is 0.6-1.3 g of yew needles per kg of body weight. Assuming that 1 g of yew needles contains 5 mg of taxine, this corresponds to 3.0-6.5 mg of taxine per kg of body weight.
The minimum LD50 in dogs is 2.3 needles/kg body weight.
Taxine can be detected in blood, urine, and tissue samples.
Supplement
The dangerous active ingredients are Taxine A and Taxine B. These substances block in the body cells:
- Sodium and calcium channels in heart muscle cells
- Signal transmission in the nervous system
Consequences of yew poisoning:
- Massive slowing of the heart rate (bradycardia)
- Ventricular fibrillation, AV block, cardiac arrest
- Central symptoms such as muscle tremors, unconsciousness, respiratory arrest
The insidious thing: First signs often appear only 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion. Death can occur within a few hours – without warning.
Symptoms of intoxication
Initially, non-specific general symptoms are to be expected.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea, sometimes bloody
- Bauchschmerzen
- Muscle weakness
- Seizures
- Drop in body temperature
The typical cardiotoxic effects on cardiac conduction (atrioventricular block patterns) and the decrease in heart muscle contractility follow.
- Tachycardia (increased heart rate), initially
- Bradycardia (decreased heart rate)
- Hypotension (drop in blood pressure)
- Ventricular fibrillation
Effects on the nervous system are shown by
- Mydriasis
- Nervousness
- Dizziness
- Balance disorders
- Dizziness
In the final stage, dominant are
- Difficulty breathing
- Muscle tremor
- Lateral recumbency
- Seizures
- Coma.
Death occurs as a result of cardiac arrest or respiratory paralysis.
The course of taxine intoxication can be peracute (rapid).
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on:
- Anamnesis: Stay in a garden, park, or cemetery with yew trees
- Symptoms: Typical cardiac arrhythmias, neurological deficits
- Examination: ECG shows bradycardia, arrhythmias, AV block
- Laboratory: Indication of metabolic acidosis, increased lactate
- Stomach contents/feces: Microscopically recognizable plant residues
- Special toxicological diagnostics: Detection of taxines in the laboratory
Therapeutic principles
There is no antidote.
In human medicine, sheep-derived digitalis antitoxin is used for severe digitalis glycoside intoxications. The preparation is imported from the USA only for special cases in human medicine. It is not available for animals.
Decontamination is still useful several hours after ingestion, as yew needles remain in the gastrointestinal tract for a very long time.
Inducing vomiting, gastric lavage, and administration of activated charcoal are indicated. Activated charcoal should be given multiple times at 4-hour intervals.
Therapy is symptomatic.
Monitoring and optimization of vital functions are necessary.
The measures depend on the individual risk assessment.
The control and combat of the cardiotoxic effects of taxine are at the forefront of therapeutic measures.
ECG monitoring is strongly recommended. The more severe the ECG changes (AV block), the higher the mortality rate.
Secondly, monitoring of water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance is important.
In addition to arrhythmias, ECG changes often indicate electrolyte imbalances (hyperkalemia).
Supplement
Since there is no antidote for taxines, every minute counts. Therapy is symptomatic:
Immediate Measures:
- Inducing vomiting (only in stable animals and <2 hours after ingestion)
- Activated charcoal in multiple doses
- Gastric lavage under sedation (in case of high toxin intake)
Intensive Care Therapy:
- Atropine for bradycardia
- Antiarrhythmics (e.g., lidocaine) for ventricular extrasystoles
- Fluid therapy, oxygen administration
- Continuous ECG, electrolyte monitoring
Attention:
Some animals pass away suddenly, even during therapy. This makes early treatment by a veterinary hospital or specialized practice all the more important.
The current potassium concentration in the blood is also directly related to the mortality rate.
An acidification of the body (metabolic acidosis) increases the sensitivity of the heart muscle to digitalis glycosides.
Hypotension is initially addressed by volume substitution, and in severe bradycardia, atropine is indicated.
Intubation and ventilation may be necessary.
Seizures can initially be treated with common medications (benzodiazepines, antispasmodics). If this is not sufficient, intravenous short-term anesthesia is necessary.
Prognosis & follow-up care
The prognosis should be made cautiously. Severe poisonings are usually fatal. Before the introduction of digitalis antitoxin, the mortality rate in human medicine for intoxications with digitalis glycosides was 20-30%.
The prognosis for yew poisoning is cautious to poor:
| Amount ingested | Prognosis |
| Small amounts + early therapy | Rather favorable |
| High dose + late intervention | Very unfavorable |
| Cardiac arrest | Mostly fatal |
Aftercare: Surviving animals must be monitored for at least 48–72 hours. Heart rate, circulation, and neurological functions must be closely controlled.
Research outlook
Research on yew poisoning in pets is still incomplete. Important goals:
- Development of a specific antidote
- Studies on absorption time and dose-response relationship
- Rapid toxicological tests for early detection
- Awareness campaigns about poisonous garden plants for pets
- Alternatives to yews in cemeteries and gardens
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1. Is yew poisonous to dogs and cats?
Yes – all parts except the red flesh of the fruit are highly toxic.
2. How quickly does yew poison act?
Symptoms usually appear within 30–120 minutes.
3. What to do if my dog has eaten yew needles?
Seek emergency veterinary help immediately. Do not give home remedies.
4. What symptoms appear first?
Vomiting, weakness, tremors, slowed pulse.
5. Is there an antidote?
No. Only symptomatic therapy is possible.
6. Can my pet die without symptoms?
Yes, sudden cardiac death is possible.
7. How much yew is fatal?
Even 1–2 g of needles/kg body weight can be sufficient.
8. Are the red yew berries harmless?
Only the fruit flesh – the seed inside is poisonous.
9. Is recovery possible?
Yes, with early intervention and low intake.
10. How do I protect my pet?
Do not plant yews in the garden, be attentive when walking.
Literature
- http://www.gifte.de/Giftpflanzen/taxus_baccata.htm
- Bonjour, T., Varlet, V., Augsburger, M., Pagani, J. L., & Pantet, O. (2019, April). The yew – a sometimes deadly ornamental conifer. In Swiss Medical Forum (Vol. 19, No. 1718, pp. 303–305). EMH Media.
- www.http://toxdocs.de/2019/digitalis/
- Gwaltney-Brant, S. (2012): Toxicology of Plants. In: Peterson, M.E.; Talcott, P.A. (eds.): Small Animal Toxicology, 3rd ed., Elsevier, pp. 378–403.
- Cope, R.B. (2005): Taxus spp. poisoning in animals. In: Gupta, R. (ed.): Veterinary Toxicology, Academic Press, pp. 501–506.
- Knight, A., Walter, R. (2001): A Guide to Poisonous House and Garden Plants. Teton NewMedia.
- Cortinovis, C.; Caloni, F. (2013): Plants Poisonous to Dogs and Cats: A Review. Toxins, 5(6), 1171–1192.
- Dorman, D.C. (2000): Taxine alkaloid toxicosis in domestic animals. Vet Hum Toxicol, 42(4), 247–251.
- Löwe G, Löwe O. Poisoning in Dogs and Cats – A Veterinary Guide. 2nd edition. Kreuztal: Kynos-Verlag. 2021; 208 p.