What plants cause liver problems in dogs? Here’s What to Expect

What are the signs of plant poisoning in dogs?

Symptoms vary by plant, but in general, a plant that causes contact dermatitis will generate painful sores, especially in the mouth and mucous membranes. More serious are the symptoms of poisoning from an ingested plant, which include drowsiness, vomiting, diarrhea, a lack of appetite, weakness, staggering, a loss of balance, and in some cases convulsions or coma. Plant poisoning requires rapid medical treatment.

If you study reports about plants that are toxic to dogs, the lists can seem endless. Even benign plants, like the beneficial herb chamomile or the stems and leaves of tomato, pepper, eggplant, or potato plants, can be harmful to dogs if they swallow enough. However, the following plants are of greater concern because they can cause a serious reaction, even if only small amounts are consumed:

Oleander branches, leaves, and flowers can cause liver failure and a fatal decrease in heart rate.

Azaleas and rhododendrons can cause vomiting, diarrhea, vision problems, and even coma or death.

The sago palm, a popular landscaping and house plant, contains a toxin called cycasin, which is so harmful that any part of the plant, including a single seed, can cause death.

The autumn crocus contains colchicine, which causes gastrointestinal bleeding, severe vomiting, kidney and liver damage, and respiratory failure. Symptoms may not develop for several days, so don’t delay veterinary attention if your dog swallows any part of this plant.

Daffodil, tulip, hyacinth, gladiolus, and amaryllis bulbs, flowers, and leaves can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, excessive drooling, and diarrhea. In severe cases, these bulbs cause cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), respiratory problems, lethargy, and convulsions.

Mushrooms are a seasonal problem in some areas. While most of the world’s 10,000 mushroom species are harmless to dogs, some wild mushrooms can be fatal, even in small amounts. Clinical signs of mushroom toxicity include excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, liver failure, tremors, and seizures.

Holly leaves (American, English, Japanese, and Christmas varieties) can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lip smacking, head shaking, a swollen mouth and tongue, and difficulty breathing.

Lily of the valley and gloriosa or flame lily can lead to cardiac arrythmias, decreased heart rates, and seizures. Daylilies, which are extremely toxic to cats (as are all lilies), cause only gastrointestinal upsets in dogs.

Elephant’s ear, golden pothos (devil’s ivy), English ivy, philodendron, calla lily, peace lily, and dumb cane contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that resemble sharp glass and cause oral irritation, mouth swelling, respiratory problems, skin irritation, vomiting, and coughing,

Other common plants that cause serious problems for dogs who ingest them include milkweed, castor bean, foxglove, and cyclamen.

Animal Poison Control Centers

If your dog swallows a toxic plant, don’t wait to ask for professional advice. Keep your veterinarian’s phone number or local pet emergency clinic phone number handy and call for help as soon as you realize there’s a problem. If you can’t reach your vet, call one of the 24/7 information services below. These centers are staffed by veterinary professionals. Visit their websites for authoritative lists of toxic plants, their identification, and the symptoms they cause.

The ASPCA Poison Control Center. aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control. (888) 426-4435. A consulting fee may apply.

The Pet Poison Helpline. petpoisonhelpline.com. (855) 764-7661. $75 fee.Many more plants are listed as dangerous by various sources, though some warnings apply only to other species or include only minor effects. When in doubt, look for information from reliable sources, such as the poison control centers listed below.

Aloe Vera, also known as the medicine plant, is a commonly-owned plant amongst plant enthusiasts. The benefits that aloe has on human skin is widely known. This plant contains antioxidant and antibacterial properties and is also known to treat skin and prevent wrinkles. However, although aloe vera has a wide variety of benefits for humans, it has quite the opposite for pets.

When spring is in the air, we all tend to get a little itch (pun intended) to do some gardening. One very popular hobby right now that is trending is the houseplant hobby. The boom in this industry in unknown but could be due to various reasons such as mental and physical wellness, the need to nurture, and feeling connection in a time of a global pandemic. Whatever the reason, the houseplant industry is blossoming (literally) and more and more people are buying them. For pet lovers, this new hobby could need some researching before purchasing. Although as humans we like to reap the benefits of having an indoor garden, we also need to be aware of which houseplants are toxic for our dogs and cats. If you see your pet chewing on these plants or experiencing any of these side effects, see an emergency veterinarian like IndyVet.

Houseplants can definitely serve as a relaxing hobby to most, however make sure that you do your research before bringing a plant into a home with a pet. The plants listed in this article are just a few of many houseplants that can potentially cause harm to your cat or dog. As mentioned above, if you do see your pet chewing on these plants or displaying any signs of houseplant poisoning, be sure to contact your emergency vet right away.

Signs of pothos poisoning can be pawing at the mouth, excessive drooling, trouble swallowing and even respiratory distress. In some cases, pothos can even cause liver damage. Be very careful if you own both a pothos and a pet. If you see these symptoms, make sure to see your veterinarian immediately.

Aloe vera contains purgatives. A purgative is a medicine that promotes bowel movement. The purgatives in aloe vera increase mucus and water in the colon which cause diarrhea and vomiting. Do not allow your pet to chew or ingest this plant. If you are a pet lover and own an aloe vera plant, make sure that the plant is out of reach for your furry friends.

Is there a risk to people?

Research shows that people have a relatively low susceptibility to indospicine toxicity, and FSANZ advise that they are not aware of any reports of adverse effects in humans due to the ingestion of toxins such as indospicine via meat consumption.

Pets suffering from liver disease associated with indospicine toxicity do not pose a risk to people.

Pet meat must comply with the Australian Standard for the Hygienic Production of Pet Meat. There are strong food safety regulatory controls to prevent pet meat entering the human food supply.

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