Poisonous Plants And Pets

Spring Is Here and So Are Toxic Plants

With the weather getting better and plants starting to grow, dogs and cats are exposed more to

outdoor and indoor plants. Most people think that pesticides and household substances are toxic to dogs and cats. They never consider that common indoor and outdoor plants and fruit leaves can be equally toxic.   

If your pet shows any combination of the clinical signs associated with plant poisoning, it would be advisable to call your veterinarian immediately. If the office is not open, the call one of the helplines listed below.

Success of the case is absolutely related to two simple questions of how much did your pet eat and when did treatment begin?

Toxic Plant Symptoms to Recognize in Your Dog or Cat Are:

• Drooling

• 

  Drooling

  Diarrhea

• Lethargy

• Seizures

• Unconsciousness

• Irritation of the skin or mouth

• Vomiting

I have listed poisonous plants, but only to the letter ‘A”. The list is enormous. You can look up the poisonous plant on the internet. For a quick look up you can go to the ASPCA Poisonous Plant website http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/dogs-plant-list .

There are a few other helplines available, but be prepared to pay for the information and remedy with a credit card:

ASPCA Animal Poison Control     1 8888 426 4435

Pet Poison Helpline                         1 800 213 6680

Poisonous Plants List Through Only the letter “A”

Adam-and-Eve (Arum, Lord-and-Ladies, Wake Robin, Starch Root, Bobbins, Cuckoo Plant) | Scientific Names: Arum maculatum | Family: Araceae

African Wonder Tree () | Scientific Names: Ricinus communis | Family:

Alocasia (Elephant's Ear) | Scientific Names: Alocasia spp. | Family: Araceae

Aloe () | Scientific Names: Aloe vera | Family: Liliaceae

Amaryllis

Amaryllis (Many, including: Belladonna lily, Saint Joseph lily, Cape Belladonna, Naked Lady) | Scientific Names: Amaryllis sp. | Family: Amaryllidaceae

Ambrosia Mexicana (Jerusalem Oak, Feather Geranium) | Scientific Names: Chenopodium botrys | Family: Chenopodiaceae

American Bittersweet (Bittersweet, Waxwork, Shrubby Bittersweet, False Bittersweet, Climbing Bittersweet) | Scientific Names: Celastrus scandens | Family: Celastraceae

American Holly (English Holly, European Holly, Oregon Holly, Inkberry, Winterberry) | Scientific Names: Ilex opaca | Family: Aquifoliaceae

American Mandrake (Mayapple, Indian Apple Root, Umbrella Leaf, Wild Lemon, Hog Apple, Duck's Foot, Raccoonberry) | Scientific Names: Podophyllum peltatum | Family: Berberidaceae

American Yew

American Yew () | Scientific Names: Taxus canidensus | Family: Taxaceae

Andromeda Japonica (Pieris, Lily-of-the-Valley Bush) | Scientific Names: Pieris japonica | Family: Ericaceae

Angelica Tree (Hercules' Club, Devil's Walking Stick, Prickly Ash, Prickly Elder) | Scientific Names: Aralia spinosa | Family: Araliaceae

Apple (Includes crabapples) | Scientific Names: Malus sylvestrus | Family: Rosaceae

Apricot (Group also includes Plum, Peach, Cherry) | Scientific Names: Prunus armeniaca | Family: Rosaceae

Arrow-Head Vine (Nephthytis, Green Gold Naphthysis, African Evergreen, Trileaf Wonder) | Scientific Names: Syngonium podophyllum | Family: Araceae

Arum (Cuckoo-pint, Lord-and-Ladies, Adam-and-Eve, Starch Root, Bobbins, Wake Robin) | Scientific Names: Arum maculatum | Family: Araceae

Arum Lily (Calla Lily, Pig Lily, White Arum, Trumpet Lily, Florist's Calla, Garden Calla) | Scientific Names: Zantedeschia aethiopica | Family: Araceae

Asparagus Fern (Asparagus, Emerald Feather, Emerald Fern, Sprengeri Fern, Plumosa Fern, Lace Fern, Racemose Asparagus, Shatavari) | Scientific Names: Asparagus densiflorus cv sprengeri | Family: Liliaceae

Australian Ivy Palm (Schefflera, Umbrella Tree, Octopus Tree, Starleaf) | Scientific Names: Brassaia actinophylla | Family: Araliaceae

Australian Nut (Macadamia Nut, Queensland Nut) | Scientific Names: Macadamia integrifolia | Family: Proteaceae

Azalea

Australian Pine (Norfolk Pine, House Pine, Norfolk Island Pine) | Scientific Names: Araucaria heterophylla | Family: Araucariaceae

Autumn Crocus (Meadow Saffron) | Scientific Names: Colchicum autumnale | Family: Liliaceae

Azalea (Rosebay, Rhododendron) | Scientific Names: Rhododendron spp | Family: Ericaceae

The list is truly extensive. It should make you aware of the potential dangers lurking in your home and garden for your pet .

The Providence Veterinary Hospital Blog is a publication of Peter Herman, VMD, at the Providence Veterinary Hospital, 2400 Providence Ave. in Chester, PA. Contact Dr. Herman at 610-872-4000 or visit us at http://www.providencevet.com. Some of this Blog is based on material written by: The ASPCA