Program For The Assessment Of Veterinary Education (PAVE) Practice Test

Diffenbachia contains calcium oxalate crystals that irritate mucous membranes. When goats ingest it, the most common and characteristic effect is inflammation of the oral mucosa, i.e., stomatitis. The crystals cause mechanical irritation and local inflammatory damage, leading to painful mouth, drooling, swelling of the lips or tongue, and sometimes oral ulcers. Because the mouth and oral throat are the first exposed areas, stomatitis is the hallmark sign. Colic would imply abdominal pain from GI issues, which isn’t the typical presentation for this plant in goats. Diarrhea and anemia aren’t expected primary effects here; diarrhea isn’t characteristic of this oral irritation, and anemia would suggest a longer-term or different toxin effect not produced by this plant’s immediate mucosal irritants.