Goats will eat just about anything. Some folks even put them to work clearing land by browsing everything in their path. But in the process, they might consume some dangerous plants.
Among the most common are azaleas, rhododendrons and mountain laurel. Ingestion of leaves from these plants causes gastrointestinal signs and sometimes even neurologic and cardiac ones. Fortunately, rapid supportive care with intravenous fluids usually results in a good ending.
Other goats aren’t as lucky—like those that browse yew branches. That kind of exposure is invariably fatal.
Following a few rules can prevent these devastating outcomes. First, know the plants on your property and remove the toxic ones. Then, keep well-meaning folks from ‘treating’ your goats to plant clippings. Finally, always inspect hay for any toxic components.