TOXIC PLANTS AT-A-GLANCE GUIDE HIGH RISK PLANTS
Azaleas
Rhododendron
MODERATE RISK
Call your vet immediately, because ingestion can be fatal. If you have them on hand, administer activated charcoal tablets by mouth immediately, rinse the mouth with cool water, and give plenty of fluids.
SYMPTOMS
PLANTS
Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excitation, sweating, heart problems, low blood pressure, paralysis, seizures, coma Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excitation, sweating, heart problems, low blood pressure, paralysis, seizures, coma
SYMPTOMS
Oleander
LOW RISK
Easter Rose & Christmas Rose
Daffodils
Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, incoordination, slow heart rate, low blood pressure, seizures, collapse
Mistletoe
Mushrooms Monitor the environment for mushrooms, and get them identified by a mycology expert!
The most dangerous mushroom is known as death cap or Amanita, which causes initial signs of vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea between 6 and 24 hours after ingestion. Diarrhea subsides, but then is followed by severe signs of liver failure in 36 to 48 hours after exposure.
SYMPTOMS
PLANTS
COPY
SHARE
Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, heart palpitations, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, tremors, seizures
SYMPTOMS
Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
Holly
Drooling, vomiting, sweating, heart palpitations, difficulty in breathing, delayed skin allergy
Calla lily Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, paralysis, tremors
Amaryllis
READ
Ingestion of large amounts can be fatal, but minor exposures can be managed at home. Call your vet, and administer activated charcoal tablets by mouth if significant ingestion is suspected. Provide plenty of fluids to dilute the exposure. Keep an eye out for persistent or severe diarrhea or vomiting, as that can cause dehydration. Follow up with your vet if symptoms worsen or do not improve.
Tulips
If your pet got into these, no need to worry! These common plants are considered non-toxic.
Philodendron
Drooling, inflammation of the mouth, blistering, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling of the throat, skin and eye inflammation by contact Drooling, inflammation of the mouth, blistering, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling of the throat, skin and eye inflammation by contact
ABOUT THE EXPERT Ibraham M. Shokry, BVSC, MVSC, PhD Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
PLANTS
Bachelor’s Button/Cornflower Bamboo Begonia Black Hawthorn Bougainvillea Calathea Cock’s Comb
PLANTS
Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, heart palpitations
Very toxic—even one leaf can cause rapid or sudden death! Vomiting, diarrhea, heart palpitations, difficulty breathing
What to look for and when to call your vet.
Chlorophyllum Daisy Garden Marigold German Violets Golden Aster Leadworts Mexican Firecracker
Pentas Peperomia/Radiator Plants Prostate Coleus Sweet William Texas Sage Zebra Plant Zinnia
Dr. Shokry has been with Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine since 1989. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Shokry advises the student Integrative Veterinary Medicine Club (IVMC). He completed a post-doctoral research fellowship with the Department of Pharmacology at Guy’s Hospital Medical School in London, U.K. In addition, he was a visiting scientist at Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and has been appointed as a research affiliate professor at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University.
©2019 Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. All rights reserved.