Milkweed poisoning is caused by consumption of Asclepias species. Milkweeds contain toxic cardiac glycosides. The plants are normally avoided by goats, except when forage is scarce, during droughts, or if baled into hay. Lethal doses of milkweed are 0.25% to 2% of the goat's body weight. Clinical signs usually develop after a few hours following ingestion. Death tends to follow after a day or two following onset of signs.
