Poison Prevention Awareness Month

Toxicity Flowers and Plants

This week we will discuss a few of the more common toxic plants. Stay with us this month as we continue to cover various toxicities in honor of March as poison prevention awareness month. We hope to raise awareness about toxicities from flowers to foods and ultimately at the end of the month provide the information needed to deal with a toxicity should one occur.

There are more than 700 plants identified that are dangerous if ingested by our four legged friends. The plants we will discuss this week can produce toxic substances with side effects that can range from mild gastrointestinal upset to death. The reaction depends on the type of plant, what part and how much was ingested, and the size and species of the animal.

Lilies and Peace Lily
Plant members of the Lilium spp. are considered to be highly toxic to our feline and canine companions. While the toxic substance is not yet known even small amounts of lily ingestion can cause severe kidney failure in our feline friends. The peace lily contains high levels of calcium oxalate crystals that can cause gastrointestinal upset such as drooling, vomiting, irritation of the mouth and trouble swallowing, and burning of the mouth, lips, and esophagus.

Tulips
The Tulipa/Narcissus species contain toxic substances within the bulb portion that can cause a range of symptoms from severe gastrointestinal irritation to depression of the central nervous system (convulsions, seizures) and cardiac abnormalities.

Rhododendron/Azalea
Plants of the Rhododendron spp. contain toxic substances (grayantoxins) that can produce mild to severe symptoms. A small ingestion could cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and salivation. A more significant ingestion can cause depression of the central nervous system (your pet may seem dull/unresponsive), seizures, coma, and possibly death.

Chrysanthemum
These popular blooming flowers are often part of a bouquet of flowers. They are part of the Compositae family which contain pyrethrins that when ingested can result in gastrointestinal upset: vomiting, diarrhea, salivation.

Oleander
All parts of the oleander plant are considered highly toxic. This plant contains cardiac glycosides that are considered to be dangerous toxins that can result in low body temperature, gastrointestinal upset, coma, and even death.

English Ivy
English Ivy, also known by various other names such as branching ivy, contain toxic components known as triterpenoid saponins. When ingested these toxic substances can cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, and abdominal pain.

Marijuana:
If your pet ingests Cannabis sativa it can cause serious neurological toxicity. Symptoms include depression of the central nervous system which can manifest as incoordination, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, seizure, coma and even death.

Yew:
The Yew plant of the Taxus spp. contain toxic substances known as taxine. Taxine affects the central nervous system and can cause symptoms such as trouble breathing, incoordination with movement, stumbling, and trembling. At high enough doses of ingestion it can also cause cardiac failure and and severe gastrointestinal upset.

Castor Bean:
The castor bean contains a highly toxic compound called ricin. When ingested this toxin causes severe gastrointestinal upset resulting in salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, significant abdominal pain, weakness, anorexia, and excessive thirst. If left untreated the severity of the gastrointestinal upset can result in significant dehydration and even death

Even though there are MANY toxic plants, there are also MANY non-toxic plants. Keep your pet’s safety in mind when you make a decision to have plants in the house, or in the yard that your pets can access. Below we will list briefly a number of toxic plants without going into detail and the main body system they affect. If you have further questions about specific symptoms of an individual plant listed please contact our hospital or reputable source for more detailed information:

Neurologic toxins (cause neurologic signs such as tremors, seizures, lack of coordination, dull mentality, coma)
* Tobacco
* Jimson Weed
* Bleeding Heart
* Crocus
* Morning Glory

Gastrointestinal Toxins (Cause gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, dehydration)
* Buttercup
* Bird of Paradise
* Hyacinth bulbs
* Buckeye bulbs
* Amaryllis bulbs
* Daffodil

Cardiovascular Toxins (Cause heart changes leading to increased/decreased heart rate, heart failure)
* Foxglove
* Hyacinth
* Hydrangea
* Milkweed
* Lily of the Valley

Kidney Failure/Organ Failure Toxins
* Begonia
* Calla lily (also Easter, Asiatic, day, and star-gazer lily)
* Shamrock
* Oak

Please call anytime with any questions or concerns about any of the information shared this week or in the weeks prior! Stay with us next week as we cover common toxic substances found within your house, basement and garage!

Dr. Santspree, Audrey LVT