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.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

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.

Who Can Help Sponsored

on 11/22/2005 My advice is that you research on the Internet or in a book about which plants are poisonous to animals. Then, make certain that you either do not keep these plants around the house or that they are out of the animal's reach. Remember, prevention is the best form of medicine.

on 11/22/2005 Many of the most popular houseplants are extremely toxic. I did an inventory of my own plant collection and the majority are very dangerous, and I recommend anyone with plants and cats to do the same. Chinese Evergreens, crotons, Peace Lillies, most ivy plants (especially the popular English Ivy, it can be a fatal meal). While cactus plants are not usually toxic, the spines do not always deter curious cats; both of my cats have pulled a cactus out of its pot. The University of California-Davis has a website that lists the toxicity of a variety of plants. All cat owners should view this. Kim

on 11/22/2005 NEVER induce vomiting without consulting a veterinarian.

on 11/22/2005 Another plant/flower that is toxic to cats is all types of lilies.