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PLEASE NOTE:
"Poisonous" does not mean deadly. Some manifestations of toxicity are subtle. The dose, as always, determines if a plant is safe source of nutrients or a toxic hazard.

Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions

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BRIEF: Do you know where I can find poison ivy extract?


QUESTION:
I am looking for a poison ivy extract. We have used it as a counter irritant for horses in the past but I can't seem to find a supplier who handles this any more. Is this something you have or could you help me locate a supplier? I have been told poison oak extract works as well although I have not ever tried it. What we have used in the past was a syrup although a paste would also work. Thanks for any help or direction you could give.

ANSWER:

The extract used to be available in drug stores for the oral desensitization of outdoor workers to poison oak. After it was discovered that the extract broke chromosomes in tissue culture, it was pulled from the market. I am not sure what was sold to you (how much urushiol was in the syrup) or by whom in the past, nor am I aware of any reason why this might help a sore horse. When you applied this to the horse, did it get the blisters and lesions we associate with poison ivy in humans? I am not aware of poison oak cases among thousands that browse the stuff in California, but then, I am not a vet. Does your horse get poison ivy? I have no extract on hand at this time.