By Tiffany Robinson
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Spring has sprung here in Houston!? Many of you have grand plans for re-landscaping, especially after last year?s drought left most of our gardens and yards with much to be desired.? But before you start planting, do a little research to find out what kind of dangers might be lurking in your yard.? Many beautiful plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees pose a harmful and even fatal threat to our dogs and cats.? A quick visit to the ASPCA?s website showed an overabundant amount of toxic foliage commonly found around us.
Most of us know to avoid sago palms and lilies, but did you also know aloe vera, azaleas, and English ivy also need to be avoided?? How about daffodils and tulips?? And elephant ears, wisteria, and tomato plants?? In fact, there are reports of over 700 plants that have been identified as toxic or harmful to pets.? It is highly recommended you learn what not to plant in your own yard or garden and to familiarize yourself with many of the toxic plants you might encounter at parks, along your walk route, even your neighbor?s yard!? If your dog or cat doesn?t seem interested in chewing on plants or foliage, still do your homework.? Various plants have different levels of toxicity.? Be sure you make an informed decision before planting something dangerous.? Know what dangers to avoid when you are out and about with your pet, and keep them safe.? For a full list (including photos) check out http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/.
Sago Palm
Very popular in Houston, this plant can be very harmful to pets. If ingested, the leaves and seeds can cause vomiting, bloody stools, damage to the stomach lining, severe liver failure and, in many cases, death.
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Castor Bean
This plant contains a highly toxic glycoprotein called ricin and ricicine, an alkaloid found in both the seeds and leaves. When ingested lack of appitite, drooling, abdominal pain, vomiting, severe bloody diarrhea, abdominal straining, weakness, trembling, drop in blood pressure, and sudden collapse may be seen. This plant has a very narrow margin of safety; only a small amount ingested can result in severe poisoning. Death can occur with even a very small ingestion of the beans.
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Azalea
A common landscaping plant in Houston, azaleas can have serious effects on pets. Eating even a few leaves can result in vomiting, diarrhea and excessive drooling; without immediate veterinary attention, the pet could fall into a coma and possibly die.
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Dumb Cane
Popular in many homes and offices, Dumb Cane (also known as dieffenbachia) can cause intense oral irritation, drooling, nausea, vomiting and difficulty swallowing if ingested.
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Pic from www.pittstate.edu
Water Hemlock
Water hemlock, which is also called Cowbane, poison parsnip, or poison parsley, is often referred to as the most violently toxic plant in the United States. Water hemlock is considered a natural wildflower and prefers wet areas, such as irrigation ditches, marshes, damp areas in pastures, and riverbanks. Water hemlock contains the toxins cicutoxin and cicutol, which affect the neurons in the brain and central nervous system. All parts of the plant are poisonous, with the roots containing the highest concentration of the toxin.
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Lilies
There are dangerous and benign lilies out there, and it?s important to know the difference. Peace, Peruvian, and Calla lilies contain oxalate crystals that cause minor signs, such as tissue irritation to the mouth, tongue, pharynx, and esophagus ? this results in minor drooling. The more dangerous, potentially fatal lilies are true lilies, and these include Tiger, Day, Asiatic, Easter and Japanese Show lilies ? all of which are highly toxic to cats!
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Daffodil
Daffodil is a name commonly applied to all varieties of Narcissus flowers. Daffodils are highly toxic, especially if the bulb is ingested. They can cause intense stomach problems, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea. When eaten, they can also cause high blood pressure, tremors, and irregular heartbeat. In some cases, ingestion of the bulbs can even be fatal. Daffodils are toxic to both humans and pets.
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Hyacinths
Hyacinths share the same symptoms with daffodils when ingested?primarily nausea that leads to vomiting and diarrhea. Also like daffodils, they can be fatal.
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Photo by www.guide-to-houseplants.com
English Ivy
English Ivy is a vine plant grown both indoors and outdoors for decorative purposes. It is poisonous to humans, pets, and livestock when ingested. Symptoms include breathing difficulties, convulsions, vomiting, and in extreme cases, paralysis and coma.
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Texas Mountain Laurel
The Texas Mountain Laurel is a popular plant because of its purple flowers and artificial grape smell.? Unfortunately, the entire plant is toxic to animals.? The plant contains grayanotoxin. It affects?the nervous system as well as skeletal and cardiac muscle.? Common symptoms of poison ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, profuse salivation,?weakness, impaired vision and a slow heart rate.
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