To make sure your pet stays happy and healthy, it's important they’re in an environment that keeps them out of harm's way at all times. This includes removing potential threats in and around the home, such as certain types of plants. These are common household items that can dangerously hurt your furry friend if consumed.
Some common plants for pet owners to watch out for include the following, as noted by the Pet Poison Hotline:
- Lilium species - These plants, such as Stargazers, Oriental, Asiatic, Tiger, Rose, and Easter lilies, have potential to cause an upset stomach and acute kidney failure if ingested by cats. Each part of this plant is toxic to animals.
- Hemerocallis species - These plants, just like the lilium species, can cause an upset stomach and acute kidney failure in cats if consumed. All parts of these plants are also considered toxic.
- Sago/Cycad palm - This is a highly poisonous plant to all animals, specifically its seeds. If consumed, it can cause severe stomach distress, fatal liver failure, and potentially neurologic abnormalities in pets.
- Pothos/Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum) - These plants have the potential to irritate the mouth and gastrointestinal tract in animals because of their insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. If contact is made with the pet’s eyes, this plant also can cause tearing or squinting.
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum species) - These plants affect animals in a similar fashion to Pothos/Devil’s Ivy, as they also contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals.
- Azaleas (Rhododendron species) - While these plants can only upset an animal’s stomach, ingesting them can still result in dangerous consequences, such as heart rate and rhythm abnormalities as well as neurological changes if the consumption is larger or more severe.
- Aloe - The sap from this plant makes them toxic to pets and can cause intense diarrhea and vomiting if consumed.
- Philodendron - These plants also result in similar effects as the Pothos/Devil’s Ivy and Peace Lillies if consumed.
- Hostas - These plants can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and inappetence if ingested, though more significant signs are not to be expected.
- Tulips and Daffodils - The bulbs from these plants can result in abnormal heart rate, rhythm and blood pressure if consumed. Other parts of the plant will additionally cause an upset stomach when ingested.
A further list of poisonous plants and the potential harm they can cause pets can additionally be found on the ASPCApro’s website.
While pet owners can do everything in their power to make sure their animals avoid toxic substances, accidents unfortunately can and do happen. Should a pet owner find their beloved furry friend has ingested a harmful toxin, the first step is to take immediate action and visit a nearby veterinarian to begin a treatment plan.
“If an owner knows their pet has ingested a toxin, they should immediately get to the closest veterinarian as soon as possible,” said Veterinarian Dr. Brooke McAfee. “There, the animal will be assessed and a treatment plan will be made. It often helps if the owner is able to call the clinic so office personnel can be ready to admit the animal and contact poison control ahead of arrival.”
Should a situation arise where one is unsure if their pet may have ingested a harmful toxin, McAfee still recommends checking in with a vet as it never hurts to take precautions.
“If an owner is unaware if their pet ingested a toxin, it is always best to contact the veterinarian to be safe,” McAfee said. “In a toxicity situation, it is better to treat a suspicion of ingestion. In certain instances, if you wait too long to treat a toxicity, it may be too late or have already caused permanent damage.”
At the vet, a few different tests and treatment methods are put into place to find the root of the problem and the best way to go about caring for the pet.
“Once a toxicity is identified, poison control is typically contacted,” said McAfee. “Most treatments consist of decontamination (induced vomiting if appropriate), methods to decrease further absorption (activated charcoal) and supportive care (IV fluids). Unfortunately, many toxins do not have specific antidotes and therefore supportive care is the goal of treatment. This often consists of IV fluids, oxygen, medications, and supplements. There are numerous other treatments depending on which toxin was ingested. Xylitol (an artificial sweetener) may cause severe hypoglycemia, (low blood sugar) so a dextrose drip may need to be administered. Some toxins affect the liver, so liver supplements are started to support liver health.”
The recovery time will then depend on the type of plant or toxin the animal ingested, though on average it can take typically between 48-72 hours before a pet is fully recovered. In more extreme situations, however, the damage may be more severe, resulting in permanent damage and lifelong management.
“Recovery doses typically depend on the overall health of the animal prior to ingestion, age, and species. Certain toxins are extremely toxic to cats but not dogs and vice versa,” McAfee said. “It also depends on the animal's genes. Multidrug Resistance 1 (MDR1) drug sensitivity is the result of a drug variant that can place certain breeds of dogs at severe or life threatening complications after taking particular everyday medications.”
Making sure your pet has quality care is crucial when treating them for such a serious issue. The staff at McAfee Animal Hospital, including McAfee herself, is prepared to help any animal who has been exposed to a toxic substance and will additionally work with outside sources if needed to ensure each pet can leave feeling their very best.
“McAfee Animal Hospital is a full service hospital and is able to take in our patients on an emergency basis during business hours,” she said. “We are fully equipped to treat toxicity emergencies and are also able to perform surgery if needed. We work with local ER clinics if 24-hour care is required.”
For more information on how McAfee Animal Hospital can help, visit its website at mcafeeah.com.