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Poisonous Plants
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There are many plants
which are considered toxic to pets. Fortunately, there are relatively few
plants that, when ingested, cause acute life-threatening illnesses. Not
all of the plants listed here are toxic to all animals, but this may be
used as a very general guideline. Some may be toxic to one type of animal,
and not to another. They may produce a wide variety of symptoms which may
include but not limited to: skin rash, swelling of the mouth and throat,
discoloration of the gums or there may be NO visible symptoms. It is safest
to call your vet ANYTIME a plant is ingested.
Many, but certainly not all, toxic plants are not very palatable.
Therefore, if given the choice, animals will avoid ingesting them even
though they may be prevalent in the environment of the animal. Many toxic
plants rarely cause problems because most dogs don't chew them -- the exceptions
being, of course, young puppies who are inclined to explore the world with
their mouths, teething dogs who may chew on everything, and older dogs
that are simply fond of chewing.
Toxic plants may contain wide variety of poisons. Reactions to poisonous
plants vary from severe to mild. Most cause vomiting, abdominal pain, cramps.
Some cause tremours, seizures, heart and respiratory and/or kidney problems,
which are difficult for an owner to interpret. Other symptoms may include
swelling of the mouth, lips and tongue that can make breathing difficult
or cause asphyxiation. More mild symptoms may include itching and rash.
Be aware of the plants you have in your house and in your pet's yard.
The ingestion of azalea, oleander, mistletoe, sago palm, Easter lily, or
yew plant material, by an animal, could be fatal.
It is important to know the names of the plants in your home, and
garden and be familiar with the potential toxicity of these plants.
DANGER. KILLER
BRACKEN
People using the outdoors for
work and recreational purposes this summer are being warned about the twin
dangers of bracken. Information received from the Bracken Advisory Commission
in Wiltshire, explains the danger of picking up ticks, which can pass on Lymes
Disease to humans. Ticks can also be picked up in grass and other vegetation
throughout the summer.
The other danger lies in the possible cancer causing effects of bracken
spores. Bracken spores are known to cause cancer in certain animals (including
dogs), and there may well be a similar reaction in humans, although this
has not yet been proved. 1989 was the last big sporing year, so another one
is overdue. The Commission think that the dry spring may be the trigger for
this to be a sporing year. If it is, the dangerous season is from mid-August
to late September. Avoid walking amongst bracken during this time.
Bracken is highly toxic to
mammals that eat it. There is also some evidence that spores breathed in
can be harmful, as can the spores from fungi associated with bracken.
You should:
Protect your skin against contact with sap.
Avoid prolonged walking in bracken, particularly during the summer sporing
season from around July to September.
Clinical
Signs; Vomitting *Diarrhoea *Dribbling *Drowsiness *Trembling *Abdominal
pains *Weakness *Breathing difficulties *Collapse *Possibly death caused
by heart failure
Rhododendron
Common Name: Rhododendron
Scientific Name: Rhododendron spp
Family: Ericaceae
Toxic Principle: grayantoxin
Clinical signs: vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation,
weakness, coma, hypotension, CNS depression, cardiovascular collapse and
death.
Blue-Green
Algae Poisoning
Animals drinking from standing
water in the summer are potentially exposed to poisoning by blue–green algae.
Long periods of warm weather and a high content of organic matter in slow
moving or stagnant water can produce blue–green algae blooms. The algae produces
a toxin that can cause chronic or acute poisoning.
Symptoms of poisoning develop very rapidly and resemble an allergic reaction.
Animals are usually found dead at the water's edge or only a few metres away.
In acute poisonings, the animal suffers from intestinal problems, internal
bleeding and paralysis, leading to respiratory failure.
Small amounts of poison cause weakness and staggering. In some instances,
apparent recovery from an attack is followed in a few days or weeks by evidence
of photosensitization. There may be inflammation of the muzzle, the skin of
the ear, the udder, or other parts of the body. Jaundice is often seen, and
constipation is a common symptom. Such cases usually recover under good care.
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Some Poisonous Plants
A. Aloe(Medicine
Plant/Burn plant) - Aloe barbadensis, Amaryllis ( bulbs),Anemone, Angel
Trumpet Tree (Flowers and Leaves), Apple Seeds, Apricot Pits & Seed Kernal
(They contain cyanide and in large quantities can prove fatal). Asparagus
Fern, Atropa Belladona, Avocado Leaves, Azalea (Azalea/Rhododendron - All
parts are fatal)
B. Balsam Pear (Seeds, Outer Rind of Fruit), Belladonna,
Bird Of Paradise ( Seeds) Bottlebrush (Flowers), Boxwood Bleeding Heart,
Boxwood Tree, Bracken or Brake Fern, Buttercup ( Sap, Bulbs).
Blackthorn, Busy Lizzie (Impatiens), Chrysanthemum, Cowslip/Marsh
Marigold
C. Calla Lily, Cardinal Flower, Carnation, Cherry Tree
(Everything Except Fruit) Cherry Laurel, Christmas Cactus ( Sap)
Christmas Rose, Christmas Tree (Needles, Tree Water), Chrysanthemum, Clover,
Common Privet, Columbine, Creeping Fig, Crocus (Bulbs), Cyclamen,
Clematis, Chrysanthemum, Coleus,
D. Daffodil, Deadly Nightshade, Delphinium,
Dogwood ( Fruit), Daisy
E. Eggplant (Foliage), Elderberry (Foliage) English
Holly (Berries), English Ivy, Euphorbia, Elderberry (Foliage)
F. Foxglove (all parts are fatal),
G. Geranium, Ghostweed / Snow On The Mountain, Golden
chain / Laburnum, Ground Ivy, Groundsel,
H. Holly Berries (English and American), Horsechestnut
Horsetail Reed / Equisetum, Hyacinth (Bulbs), Hydrangea (Flower Buds), Hibiscus,
Holly, Hosta,
I. Iris ( Bulb), Ivy, Indian Rubber Plant,
J. Japanese Yew, Jasmine, , Jerusalem Cherry (Berries),
Juniper (Needles, Stems and Berries).
K. Kaffir Lilly, Kalanchoe(Flaming Katie)
L. Laburnum, Sheep Laurel, Larkpsur, Laurel, Lily
of the Valley (All parts of the plant, as well as vase water), Lobelia,
Lupine.
M. Mistletoe Berries, Mock orange (Fruit) Monkshood,
Morning glory, Mother-In-Law's Tongue, Mountain Laurel, Mushrooms (many
wild forms), Magnolia (flowers), Marigold (young leaves and stems especially
poisonous)
N. Narcissus (Bulbs), Narcissus Jonquilla, Natal Cherry,
Needlepoint Ivy, Nicotine Bush, Nightshades.
O. Oak (Acorns, Leaves), Oleander (very poisonous),
Peach (Pit), Pear Seeds,
P. Peony, Periwinkle, Philodendron, Pine Needles, Poinsetta,
Poison Hemlock, Poison Ivy, Poppy, Pot Mum, Potato plant (New shoots
and Eyes), Privet Shrub, Peace Lilly, primrose(primula),
R. Rhododendron, Rhubarb Plants (leaves and uncooked
stems)
S. Scarlet Pimpernel, Snapdragon, Snowdrop,
Spider Plant, Star Of Bethlehem, Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera)
T. Tansy ( Foliage, Flowers), Tiger Lily, Toad Flax (Foliage)
Tobacco Plants, Tobacco Leaves, Tomato Plant (All parts, except for fruit),
Trumpet Vine, Tulips.
U. Umbrella Plant
V. Venus Flytrap, Verbena, Virginia Creeper (Sap), Vairiagated
Rubber Plant,
W. Water Hemlock, Weeping Fig, Wild Parsnip (Roots,
Foliage),Wisteria(All parts, seeds and pods), Wandering Jew,
Y. Yellow Jessamine, Yellow Star Thistle, Yew (American,
English and Japanese), Yucca
