Toxic Plants

This is a list of some common plants that are toxic to our pets.  They are arranged by which body system is affected.  All plants that have the potential to cause death are marked as “fatal” in the listing.  This list was compiled by Dr. Randall Gage at Oak Hills Animal Hospital.  It is by no means a complete list of toxic plants.  As with most toxins the effects are dose dependent (amount consumed).

Contact information for the Animal Poison Control Center.

Phone:  1-800-548-2423   or  1-888-426-4435.  There is a charge for this call.

Web-site:  www.aspca.org/apcc

Poisonous Plants Affecting the Gastrointestinal Tract

Amaryllis                                                  Mushrooms and Toadstools – fatal

Azalea                                                        Night Shade

Castor beans – fatal                                  Poinsettia

Daffodils (Narcissus)                                Tulips

English Ivy – fatal                                      Walnut

Mistletoe – fatal

Clinical Signs: Anorexia, depression, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (may be hemorrhagic), hypersalivation, sudden death.

Poisonous Plants Causing Stomatitis – Glossitis Syndrome

(Mouth and Throat Inflammation)

Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)

Philodendron

Elephant Ears

Clinical Signs: Oral pain, head shaking, intense salivation, drinking copious amounts of water, tongue swelling, pharyngeal swelling, difficulty breathing due to swelling and obstruction of the airway.

Poisonous Plants Affecting the Nervous System

Japanese Yew – fatal

Stinging Nettle – fatal

Tobacco – fatal

Clinical Signs: Salivation, muscle weakness, tremors, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle twitching, staggering, collapse, sudden death.

Poisonous Plants Affecting the Blood and Circulation

Lily-of-the-Valley – fatal

Oleander – fatal

Purple Foxglove – fatal

Yellow Oleander – fatal

Clinical Signs: Begin 3 hours after ingestion, vomiting, diarrhea, straining to defecate, struggling to breath, abnormal heart rhythms, death.

Cyanide Poisoning

Almond – fatal

Apple – fatal

Apricot – fatal

Bitter Cherry – fatal

Choke Cherry – fatal

Sweet Cherry – fatal

Wild Black Cherry – fatal

Clinical Signs: Apprehension, muscle ticks, involuntary defecation and urination, convulsions, death within minutes to hours.

Poisoning from Illicit Drug Plant

Marijuana

Jimson Weed – fatal

Thorn Apple – fatal

Trumpet Vine – fatal

Clinical Signs: Depression, derangement, hallucinations, diarrhea, incoordination, nervousness in some animals, increased thirst, delirium, convulsions, coma, death.