Groundsel

Also known as: Ragwort, Senecio

Clinical Signs

The plant is not very palatable, but will be eaten by animals with no other forage; poisonings typically occur from ingestion of green plant material or material in hay. The toxic components can cause liver failure, referred to as "walking disease" or "sleepy staggers". Signs include weight loss, weakness, sleepiness, yawning, incoordination, yellowish discoloration to mucous membranes (icterus), neurologic problems secondary to liver failure (aimless walking, chewing motions, head pressing). Animals may appear to be normal at first, then become suddenly affected; the syndrome progresses rapidly over a few days to a week. Liver damage, depression, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, muddy mucous membranes, weakness, ataxia.

Family

Compositae

Scientific Name

Senecio species

Toxic Principles

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids

Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list (dogs), scraped 2026-07-14 from https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/dogs-plant-list · view original