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Common Poinsonous Plants
Lilies
Members of the Lilium spp. are considered to be
highly toxic to cats. While the poisonous
component has not yet been identified, it is
clear that with even ingestions of very small
amounts of the plant, severe kidney damage
could result.
Marijuana
Ingestion of Cannabis sativa by
companion animals can result in depression of
the central nervous system and incoordination,
as well as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling,
increased heart rate, and even seizures and
coma.
Sago
Palm All parts of Cycas
Revoluta are poisonous, but the seeds or
"nuts" contain the largest amount of toxin. The
ingestion of just one or two seeds can result
in very serious effects, which include
vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and
liver failure.
Tulip/Narcissus
bulbs The bulb portions of Tulipa/Narcissus
spp. contain toxins that can cause intense
gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of
appetite, depression of the central nervous
system, convulsions and cardiac abnormalities.
Azalea/Rhododendron
Members of the Rhododenron spp. contain
substances known as grayantoxins, which can
produce vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness
and depression of the central nervous system in
animals. Severe azalea poisoning could
ultimately lead to coma and death from
cardiovascular collapse.
Oleander
All parts of Nerium oleander
are considered to be toxic, as they contain
cardiac glycosides that have the potential to
cause serious effects-including
gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal
heart function, hypothermia and even death.
Castor
Bean The poisonous principle in Ricinus
communis is ricin, a highly toxic protein that
can produce severe abdominal pain, drooling,
vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness
and loss of appetite. Severe cases of poisoning
can result in dehydration, muscle twitching,
tremors, seizures, coma and death.
Cyclamen
Cylamen species contain
cyclamine, but the highest concentration of
this toxic component is typically located in
the root portion of the plant. If consumed, Cylamen can
produce significant gastrointestinal
irritation, including intense vomiting.
Fatalities have also been reported in some
cases.
Kalanchoe
This plant contains components that
can produce gastrointestinal irritation, as
well as those that are toxic to the heart, and
can seriously affect cardiac rhythm and rate.
Yew
Taxus spp. contains a toxic
component known as taxine, which causes central
nervous system effects such as trembling,
incoordination, and difficulty breathing. It
can also cause significant gastrointestinal
irritation and cardiac failure, which can
result in death.
Amaryllis
Common garden plants popular around
Easter, Amaryllis species contain
toxins that can cause vomiting, depression,
diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation,
anorexia and tremors.
Autumn
Crocus Ingestion of Colchicum
autumnale by pets can result in oral
irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock,
multi-organ damage and bone marrow suppression.
Chrysanthemum
These popular blooms are part of the
Compositae family, which contain
pyrethrins that may produce gastrointestinal
upset, including drooling, vomiting and
diarrhea, if eaten. In certain cases depression
and loss of coordination may also develop if
enough of any part of the plant is consumed.
English
Ivy Also called branching ivy,
glacier ivy, needlepoint ivy, sweetheart ivy
and California ivy, Hedera helix
contains triterpenoid saponins that, should
pets ingest, can result in vomiting, abdominal
pain, hypersalivation and diarrhea.
Peace
Lily (AKA Mauna Loa Peace Lily) Spathiphyllum
contains calcium oxalate crystals that can
cause oral irritation, excessive drooling,
vomiting, difficulty in swallowing and intense
burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and
tongue in pets who ingest.
Pothos
Pothos (both Scindapsus and Epipremnum)
belongs to the Araceae family. If chewed or
ingested, this popular household plant can
cause significant mechanical irritation and
swelling of the oral tissues and other parts of
the gastrointestinal tract.
Schefflera
Schefflera and Brassaia
actinophylla contain calcium oxalate crystals
that can cause oral irritation, excessive
drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing
and intense burning and irritation of the
mouth, lips and tongue in pets who ingest.
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