Because I also have a few pets, I know that the relationship between the caregiver and their pet is very special.
Their ability to offer so much unconditional affection, loyalty, and to keep our moods elevated are only some of the reasons why we keep them so close to our homes and hearts.
We would do almost anything for our pets, to keep them healthy, safe, and happy.
However, did you know that some of the plants that you keep in the house or in your garden could be poisonous for them?
Here is come common plants that you should steer away from:
Tulip / Narcissus – the bulb of this plant has a high toxin concentration.
Symptoms to be aware of are: intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression, convulsions, and cardiac abnormalities.
Oleander – don’t get fooled by its beauty because all parts of this plant contains a highly toxic cardiac glycoside which severely affects cats, dogs, and even horses.
Symptoms: colics, diarrhea (possibly bloody), sweating, incoordination, shallow or difficult breathing, muscle tremors, and possibly death from cardiac failure.
Milkweed – although used to attract butterflies, their toxicity can be quite harmful for your pets.
Symptoms: vomiting, profound depression, weakness, anorexia, and diarrhea are common.
These symptoms may be followed by seizures, difficulty breathing, rapid, weak pulse, dilated pupils, kidney or liver failure, coma, respiratory paralysis, and eventually death.
Ivy – no matter which type of ivy you have, its foliage is more toxic than berries.
Common symptoms after ingesting include vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, and diarrhea.
Daffodil – its bulbs are the most toxic part.
Signs that your pet ingested daffodils are: vomiting, salvation, and diarrhea.
Large ingestions may cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors and cardiac arrhythmias.
Gladiola – again, be aware of the bulb because it can cause: salivation, vomiting, drooling, lethargy, and diarrhea.
Chrysanthemum – can cause depression and loss of coordination if enough of any part of the plant is consumed.
Other symptoms you might observe are: vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, and dermatitis.
Begonia – the most toxic parts are the tubers.
Symptoms you need to be aware of are: oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
Castor Bean Plant – this plant is highly toxic for your pet and immediate care is mandatory. The ingestion of even one ounce of seeds can be lethal.
The symptoms appear between 12 to 48 hours after ingestion and include: oral irritation, burning of mouth and throat, increase in thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure, convulsions, loss of appetite, excessive thirst, weakness, colic, trembling, sweating, loss of coordination, difficulty breathing, progressive depression, and fever.
As syndrome progresses, bloody diarrhea may occur, and convulsions and coma can precede death.
Carnations – although the least poisonous of them all, it can still cause mild gastrointestinal signs and mild dermatitis.
Tomato Plant – although not lethal, it can still cause quite of discomfort, such as: hypersalivation, lack of appetite, severe gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, drowsiness, CNS depression, confusion, behavioral change, weakness, dilated pupils, and slow heart rate.
If you want to check if the plants in your home (maybe they have not been stated in my list) are a risk to your precious pet, you can access this link https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
What can you do in the dreadful event that your pet ingests a poisonous plant? The best thing that you can do is to remove that plant from your pet’s mouth if you can and determine what plant is it.
If you can’t or don’t know, it’s best to keep it safe and close to you so that the veterinary can find out precisely what it is.
If you find yourself in such a situation you can require more information, you can call ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number: (888) 426-4435.
Information is key when it comes to keeping the ones we love and ourselves healthy. Knowledge is power, use it wisely.