It is difficult to give concise information about plant toxicity's as there are hundreds of plants that are potentially poisonous to animals. While many people seem to think poinsettias, ivy and mistletoe are dangerous plants, and while these plants have toxic potential, they seldom cause serious clinical signs if eaten.

It is worth noting here that dogs and cats often vomit after chewing on plants; this probably does not represent "poisoning" or any dangerous exposure. Only severe or persistent vomiting is a danger sign in small animals.

Sporadic vomiting without accompanying signs of illness (for instance, diarrhoea, depression, loss of appetite) is rarely a cause for worry, whether associated with plant ingestion or not. The best advice, however, is to contact your veterinarian if you have specific concerns. Other Plants to Watch out For:

Aconite - All parts

Alocasia - All parts

Amaryllis, esp. the bulb - Induce vomiting, give lots of water, get to vet.

Anemone - All parts

Angel's trumpet - Varied toxic effects.

Almond - May cause vomiting, abdominal, and in some cases, diarrhoea.

Apple - Seeds (large quantities) -Get to vet immediately.

Apricot - Seeds (large quantities) - May cause vomiting, abdominal, and in some cases, diarrhoea. Get to vet immediately.

Arrow grasses - Leaves. Arrowhead vine - Irritates mouth, throat, tongue and lips.

Asparagus Fern - May cause vomiting, cramping, tremors as well as other problems.

Atropa belladonna - All parts.

Autumn Crocus - Bulbs.

Avocado - Leaves and stems.

Azalea - All parts - May cause vomiting, cramping, tremors as well as other problems.

Balsam Pear - May cause vomiting, abdominal, and in some cases, diarrhoea.

Baneberry - All parts.

Belladonna - All parts.

Bird of paradise - All parts - May cause vomiting, cramping, tremors and other problems. Induce vomiting, give lots of water, get to vet.

Bittersweet - Leaves, unripe fruit, stem - May cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

Black-eyed Susan - All parts.

Black locust - May cause vomiting, abdominal, and in some cases, diarrhoea. EXTREMELY TOXIC -induce vomiting, give lots of water, RUSH YOUR PET TO THE VET

Black Nightshade - Berries.

Bleeding heart - Foliage and roots.

Boston Ivy - Irritates mouth, throat, tongue and lips.

Box - Leaves and twigs - Induce vomiting, give lots of water, get to vet

Buckeye - All parts - May cause vomiting, abdominal, and in some cases, diarrhoea

DRUGS

Animal poisoning by drugs is by far the most common type of small animal poison exposure, accounting for up to 75% of toxin exposures. Dogs and, less frequently, cats, can be poisoned by human or veterinary drugs as a result of accidental ingestion or overdose just like children can; it is worth emphasising that all medications should be placed out of reach of inquisitive noses which are too often attached to undiscriminating mouths!

This section focuses on those medications which are too frequently given by well-intentioned owners for the purpose of relieving discomfort experienced by the animal and which instead can cause a much more serious problem for the pet. Human over-the-counter pain relievers are occasionally used in veterinary medicine for pain relief but they should only be given upon specific advice and direction of a veterinarian.

Pain relievers, or analgesics, are not designed for use by cats and dogs and a minimal human dose can poison a pet. Cats and dogs do not utilise and tolerate drugs in the same way people do and human drugs should NEVER be assumed to be safe for animals. ACETAMINOPHEN which includes "Panadol" and "Paracetamol" and is, of course, the human over-the-counter analgesic medicine used to relieve pain..after the pills are taken, the ingredients are broken down in the body by enzymes in the liver. In people, Panadol and Paracetamol and any other Analgesics are generally a safe and a very useful painkiller. Cats, however, have less of the enzyme required to detoxify the drugs following ingestion. As a result, there are many dangerous metabolites, or breakdown products of Acetaminophen that bind to red blood cells and other tissue cells, resulting in the destruction of these cells. There may also be direct damage to tissue cells from the painkiller. As little as one regular strength tablet (325 mg) can poison a cat to the degree that it can develop noticeable clinical signs of illness. Two extra-strength tablets are likely to kill a cat. Dogs (particularly small dogs) are also susceptible to significant tissue damage from as little as two regular strength Panadol or Paracetamol and repeated doses increase the risk significantly. Signs develop quickly and can include salivation, vomiting, weakness and abdominal pain. Due to the significant toxicity to pets in relatively minimal dosages, the recommendation is clear - Panadol, Paracetamol or any Analgesics should not be given to dogs or cats. Other,safer, drugs are available for pain relief; talk to your veterinarian about your own pet's specific needs.

This article was written by Stan Rawlinson, a full time Dog Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer.
You can visit his website at www.doglistener.co.uk for more articles and training information. You may freely distribute this article or save to any electronic media as long as it is left intact, including this copyright box.
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