Household plants can definitely liven up a home, but unfortunately, some species are dangerous for your pets and could even prove to be fatal if they’re ingested. The following list features plants which are poisonous to your pet due to the toxic substances they contain.
CONTAINING CALCIUM OXALATES
Peace Lily
Caladium
Elephant Ears
Satin Pothos
Clinical Signs
lpain and irritation can be immediate on chewing - pain may be expressed by head shaking and intense hypersalivation
lchange in vocalization can occur - usually sounding weak or hoarse
lDepression
lAnorexia
lSwelling of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, pharynx, and tongue
If significant swelling occurs, it is possible for dyspnea to develop but actual obstruction of the airway is rare
lNausea
lvomiting
ldiarrhea
*In case of a massive ingestion - vomiting and diarrhea may be severe enough to cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and shock. Reports of cardiac arrhythmia, mydriasis, coma, and death are in the literature. However, it is unlikely that severe clinical signs will be seen.
*The onset of clinical signs is rapid and can occur immediately or up to 2 hours after ingestion.
Treatment
Treatment is primarily symptomatic and supportive.
lThe mouth should be rinsed with water
lOffering a small quantity of milk, yogurt, or cottage cheese frequently provides some relief from oral pain, possibly by precipitating some of the calcium oxalate crystals
lantihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (2 to 4 mg/kg by mouth or intramuscularly every 8 hours as needed) helps reduce oral swelling
lmild gastrointestinal protectant, such as kaolin/pectin (dogs and cats: 1 to 2 ml/kg four times daily;
lsucralfate (dogs weighing >20 kg: 1g three to four times daily; dogs weighing; dogs weighing <20kg: 0.5g 3-4x daily; cats: 0.25g 2-3x daily) can help reduce to irritation in the stomach and intestines
lWhen persistent vomiting and diarrhea occur, intravenous (IV) fluids and gastrointestinal protectants should be administered.
CONTAINING SAPONINS
Saponin, can lower the blood sugar in cats and dogs causing coma or death in some cases.
Aloe Vera
**Aloe Vera also has a toxic fraction of anthraquinone glycoside which disrupts water and electrolyte balance in large intestine.
Dracaena
Clinical Signs
lAbdominal pain and bloating
lAbnormal heart rate
lAnorexia
lBreathing difficulty
lComa
lDark urine
lDepression
lDiarrhea
lDilated pupils
lDrooling
lHead-shaking
lHigh body temperature (hyperthermia)
lLethargy
lMuscle twitches, spasms, or weakness
lNausea
lSeizures
lSkin irritation (bumps, flaky skin, and hair loss)
lTremors
lIncoordination
lVomiting
lWeight loss
Treatment
Drugs for abdominal pain/diarrhea. Protect airway, treat locally for pharyngitis associated with oxalate crystals (rare).
CONTAINING CYCASIN
Cycasin toxin attacks the liver causing a wide range of symptoms and can cause severe liver failure.
Sago Plant
Clinical Signs
Most animals are affected by either the gastrointestinal and hepatic disease syndrome or the ataxia and central nervous disease syndrome.
lvomiting (with or without blood)
lDepression
lDiarrhea
lAnorexia
lSeizures did occur in some cases, but the seizures were usually thought to be secondary to hepatic damage.
Treatment
lEmesis and activated charcoal help prevent signs in animals that have recently ingested cycads. However, if it has been longer than 2 to 4 hours since the plant material was ingested, emesis is not likely to have any benefit because the stomach is probably empty by then.In addition, inducing emesis in a symptomatic animal is often contraindicated. If the ingestion occurred less than 12 hours earlier, activated charcoal prevents further absorption of the cycad toxins.In some cases, multiple doses of activated charcoal may be beneficial.
lNo antidote for any of the cycad toxins is available.
ltreatment of poisoned animals focuses on supportive and symptomatic care.
lgastrointestinal protectants such as sucralfate (1g in large dogs, 0.5 g in small dogs orally every 8 hours), H2 blockers such as cimetidine (5 to 10 mg/kg intravenously or by mouth every 8 hours), or misoprostol (1 to 3 µg/kg).
lFluid and electrolyte support is beneficial and should be used as needed. The fluid of choice for animals with hepatic damage is 5% dextrose.
l Blood transfusions may be necessary if gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage is severe.
CONTAINING UNIDENTIFIED TOXINS
Easter Lily
Clinical Signs
Lily toxicosis predominantly reflect gastrointestinal and renal effects that follow a fairly consistent time course:
The only syndrome observed in species other than cats was a mild, short-term gastrointestinal upset in dogs.
Treatment
lInduction of vomiting to remove plant material from the stomach is indicated in cats that have not vomited on their own.Activated charcoal with a cathartic should be given to assist in the gastrointestinal decontamination.
lFor cats with protracted vomiting, it may be necessary to administer an antiemetic to prevent vomition and aspiration of the activated charcoal.
lThe most critical treatment is the initiation of fluid therapy before the development of anuria. Fluid diuresis with normal saline at 2 to 3 times maintenance that was initiated before 24 hours after ingestion (or before development of anuria) has prevented development of the anuric renal failure in all cases for which the author is aware. This rate of fluid administration should be maintained for 24 hours.
lAfter the development of anuric renal failure, peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis are the only possible means of treatment.
lThe use of drugs that are commonly employed to initiate or promote urine production, such as dopamine, furosemide, hypertonic dextrose, thiazides, and mannitol, have been unsuccessful in lily-poisoned cats.
lsome reported cases of cats undergone peritoneal dialysis for 10 to 14 days resulted in the return of renal function.
lAppropriate protocols and dialysate solutions must be used, because inappropriate dialysis can be as lethal as the plant poisoning itself.
Jade Plant
Additional Common Names: Baby Jade, Dwarf rubber plant, Jade tree, Chinese rubber plant, Japanese rubber plant
The jade plant is a type of succulent plant and is very toxic to cats and dogs. When ingested, this causes gastric distress, heartbeat irregularities, and depression among other symptoms.
Clinical Signs
lVomiting
lAbdominal pain
lLethargy
lWeakness
lDepression
lAggression
lHiding
lSlow heart rate (rare)
lImpaired muscle movement (rare)
lConvulsions (rare)
Treatment
lEvacuation
The first thing to be done is to induce vomiting by giving your pet ipecac by mouth. Activated charcoal is also given by mouth to absorb the toxins still undigested.
lDecontamination
Perform a gastric bypass by flushing the digestive system with warm saline solution. This is done by inserting a long hose through the mouth and into the stomach while your pet is sedated.
lFluid Therapy
Fluids will be given by intravenous (IV) line to flush the kidneys. This also helps reduce the chances of dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea.
lMedication
There is usually not any need for medication. You may give your patient anti emetic to stop the vomiting if needed.
lObservation
Since jade plant poisoning is usually mild, the only observation needed will be you keeping an eye on the patient at home.
References:
Plumlee, K. (2004) Clinical Veterinary Toxicology.
Tilly, L., Smith Jr., F., Sleeper M., & Brainard B. (2021). Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Canine and Feline 7th Edition.
https://www.weddingtonanimalhospital.com/10-houseplants-that-are-dangerous-for-your-dog/
https://www.lovepawsh.com/blogs/news/common-filipino-household-plants-poisonous-to-dogs
https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/toxicity/are-lilies-poisonous-dogs
https://www.petmd.com/cat/emergency/poisoning-toxicity/e_ct_lily_poisoning
https://wagwalking.com/condition/aloe-vera-poisoning
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/alocasia
https://www.pawsdogdaycare.com/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/alocasia