Giant fennel (Ferula communis) is a tall, latex-containing herbaceous perennial from the Apiaceae (carrot) family. The plant contains a large number of toxic compounds, including sesquiterpenes, sesquiterpene coumarins, sesquiterpene lactones, and sulfur-containing compounds. Ferulenol, a prenyl coumarin is the most toxic compound. Ingestion of ferulenol causes ferulosis in horses, which is a lethal haemorrhagic disorder that develops due to an inhibition of blood clotting. There have been several cases of poisoning which have occurred in numerous animal species, including horses.
- Loss Of Appetite
- Lethargy
- Abdominal Effusion
- Lameness
- Ataxia
- Fever
- Death
- Lahmar, Rym, et al. Giant fennel (Ferula communis L) intoxication in goats in Tunisia Veterinary Record Case Reports 6.4. 2018.
- Akaberi, Maryam, Milad Iranshahy, and Mehrdad Iranshahi. Review of the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of giant fennel (Ferula communis L. subsp. communis). Iranian journal of basic medical sciences 18.11 . 2015.
- Fraigui, O., D. Lamnaouer, and M. Y. Faouzi. Acute toxicity of ferulenol, a 4-hydroxycoumarin isolated from Ferula communis L Veterinary and human toxicology 44.1. 2002.
- Shlosberg, A., and M. N. Egyed. Experimental Ferula communis (giant fennel) toxicosis in sheep Zentralblatt für Veterinärmedizin Reihe A 32.1‐10. 1985.
