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: