BEWARE: Poisonous Plants

In yesterday's blog I wrote about Ralphie's unusual behavior.  As I was discussing all the doggie drama with Erica over the phone, I mentioned he seemed a little depressed, tail between his legs and inactive in the afternoon.  Ralphie vomited on Saturday.  On Sunday I noticed a yellowish foam around his mouth.   Erica said maybe it's the plant he chewed up on Friday.  As weird as it sounds, how can a plant alter a behavior?

I googled "Peace Lily" plant and this is what I found...

Peace lilies are moderately toxic to dogs and cats, but doesn't cause kidney damage.  All of the symptoms Ralphie was having are typical symptoms of toxic plant.  Luckily Ralphie had mild symptoms,  nevertheless this made me aware of something I was totally oblivious about...poisonous plants.

Here is the list of poisonous plants for dogs ... WOW ... I never knew!!

Plants Poisonous to Dogs

COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	SYMPTOMS WHEN INGESTED
Aloe	Aloe vera	vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression, tremors, change in urine color
Amaryllis	Amaryllis sp.	vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression, abdominal pain, excessive salivation, tremors
Apple and Crabapple	Malus sylvestrus	seeds, stems and leaves can result in red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting and shock
Autumn Crocus/Meadow Saffron	Colchicum autumnale	oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, organ damage, bone marrow suppression
Azalea/Rhododendron	Rhododendron spp.	vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, weakness, coma, death
Calla Lily/Trumpet Lily/Arum Lily	Zantedeschia aethiopica	oral irritation and pain, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Castor Bean/Castor Oil Plant	Ricinus communis	oral irritation and burning, increased thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure, convulsions;Note: beans are highly toxic
Chrysanthemum/Mum/Daisy	Chrysanthemum spp.	vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, loss of coordination, dermatitis
Cyclamen	Cyclamen spp.	excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, heart arrhythmias, seizures, death
Daffodil/Narcissus	Narcissus spp.	vomiting, salvation, diarrhea, convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, heart arrhythmias
Dumbcane	Dieffenbachia	oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Elephant Ears	Caladium hortulanum andColocasia esculenta	oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
English Ivy	Hedera helix	vomiting, abdominal pain, excessive salivation, diarrhea
Foxglove	Digitalis purpurea	heart arrhythmias, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, death
Hosta	Hosta plataginea	vomiting, diarrhea, depression
Hyacinth	Hyacinthus orientalis	vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors
Hydrangea	Hydrangea arborescens	vomiting, diarrhea, depression
Iris	Iris species	excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy
Lily of the Valley	Convallaria majalis	vomiting, irregular heart beat, low blood pressure, disorientation, coma, seizures
Marijuana/Hashish	Cannabis sativa	depression, vomiting, loss of coordination, excessive salivation, dilated pupils, low blood pressure, low body temperature, seizure, coma
Mistletoe/American Mistletoe	Phoradendron flavescens	gastrointestinal complications, cardiovascular collapse, difficulty breathing, slow heart rate, behavior changes, vomiting, diarrhea
Oleander	Nerium oleander	vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, shallow/difficult breathing, muscle tremors, collapse, cardiac failure
Peace Lily	Spathiphyllum	oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Philodendron	Philodendron spp	oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Pothos/Devil's Ivy	Epipremnum aureum	oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Sago Palm	Cycas revoluta, zamia species	vomiting, black (tarry) stools, jaundice, increased thirst, bruising, blood clotting problems, liver damage, death
Schefflera	Schefflera	oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Tobacco	Nicotiana glauca	hyperexcitability then depression, vomiting, loss of coordination, paralysis
Tulip	Tulipa species	vomiting, depression, diarrhea, excessive salivation
Yew/Japanese Yew	Taxus sp.	sudden death from acute cardiac failure (early signs include muscular tremors, difficulty breathing, seizures

Ralphie Update ... Ralphie is doing fine.  He seems to be his normal self again.  Smiles!!