How to Treat Plant Poisoning in Pets

The toxic effects from plants depend on the amount, type and part of the plant eaten. If you suspect poisoning or catch your pet chowing down on the azaleas, here's what you need to do.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Muzzles
• Pet Carriers
• Pet Food

1. Remain calm and gather information as quickly as possible. Time is paramount, but adequate information helps authorities determine what steps to take.
2. Attempt to determine the amount of the plant eaten, the name of plant and the time since ingestion
3. Prepare to tell your veterinarian or poison experts your pet's breed, age, sex, weight, number of animals involved and abnormal signs your pet is exhibiting.
4. Call your veterinarian and take your pet to the veterinary hospital immediately, or call the National Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 4ANI-HELP or [phone].
5. Know that you must pay a fee when calling the Poison Control Center.
6. Consult your veterinarian before inducing vomiting and be sure to get exact amounts of emetic to use.

Tips & Warnings

• Household plants that are toxic to pets include azalea, bird of paradise, bulbs, dieffenbachia, hydrangea, jasmine, larkspur/delphinium, laurel, some mushrooms, philodendron, poinsettia, prunus species, tobacco and yews.
• Save identification sticks when plants are purchased to know a plant's exact scientific name.