Four Paws Animal Hospital & Wellness Center

PET CARE TOPICS

Common Poisonous Plants

   Here is a list of the 10 most common plants that can cause toxicity in your pet, according to the ASPCA, as well as each plant's possible effects on the body.

1. Marijuana: Depression of the central nervous system and incoordination (loss of muscle control), diarrhea, vomiting, drooling, increased heart rate, seizures, and coma.
2. Sago Palm: Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures, and liver failure. (The seeds contain the largest amount of the toxin, although all parts are poisonous.)
3. Lilies: Severe kidney damage.
4. Tulip/narcissus bulbs: Intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions, and cardiac abnormalities.
5. Azalea/rhododendron: Vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness, and depression of the central nervous system. Severe poisoning can lead to coma and death from cardiovascular collapse.
6. Oleander: Gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia, and death.
7. Castor bean: Severe abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness and loss of appetite. Severe cases can result in dehydration, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma, and death.
8. Cyclamen: Gastrointestinal irritation, intense vomiting, and even death.
9. Kalanchoe: Gastrointestinal irritation and heart arrhythmias.
10. Yew: Trembling, incoordination (loss of muscle control), difficulty breathing, gastrointestinal irritation, and cardiac failure.

   While the above are the 10 most common, it is by no means a comprehensive list of all the plants that can be dangerous. What follows is a list of common bulbous flowering plants that are found in many of our gardens.

   And don't forget the plants that we use in our kitchens for cooking: they too can cause adverse effects:

• Onions
• Leeks
• Garlic
• Chives
• Grapes
• Raisins

   If you suspect your pet has consumed or chewed on any of the above plants, call your veterinarian immediately.

   The following sites have a more comprehensive list of plants and their effects, and/or a photo library:

• Cornell University's Poisonous Plant Database
• Animal Poison Control Center
• VeterinaryPartner.com 

Compiled by Dr. Kathy Kallay

LINKS USED IN THIS PAGE

http://www.aspca.org/

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/

http://www.aspca.org/toxicplants/M01947.htm

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=191&S=1&SourceID=6

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