Watch Out for those Toxic Yard Plants

Did you know? That plants commonly found in yards, such as Azalea, can be toxic — and even deadly — to pets if ingested.

According to a recent MSNBC online article entitled 10 of the Most Toxic Plants to Pets,a veterinarian states, “A rule of thumb is that the prettier it is, the more likely it is to be toxic,” says Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, a veterinarian and board-certified toxicologist who is vice president of the Animal Poison Control Center, based in Urbana, Ill.

According to that same article the 10 top toxic plants are:

Lilies
Members of the Lilium spp. are highly toxic to cats. Ingestion of even very small amounts of any part of the plant can result in severe kidney damage.

Sago Palm
Also known as the cycad palm, all parts of Cycas Revoluta are poisonous, in particular the seeds or “nuts.” Just one or two seeds can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and liver failure.

Autumn Crocus
Ingestion of Colchicum autumnale can result in oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, multi-organ damage and bone marrow suppression.

Azalea/Rhododendron
Members of the Rhododendron spp. contain cardio toxins that may produce vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness, depression of the central nervous system in animals and potentially coma and death. More refined, or domesticated, azaleas and rhododendrons tend to be less toxic than the wild varieties.

Oleander
All parts of Nerium oleander are considered to be toxic, with the potential to cause gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia and death.

Tulip/Narcissus Bulbs
If a pet eats a large quantity, the bulb portions of Tulipa/Narcissus spp. contain toxins that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions and cardiac abnormalities. Small amounts generally cause a little stomach upset or vomiting.

Castor Bean
The toxin in Ricinus communis is ricin, which can produce severe abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness and loss of appetite. Severe cases of poisoning can result in dehydration, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma and death.

Marijuana
Marijuana may be illegal, but it’s still in some people’s homes. A pet that ingests Cannabis sativa can exhibit the following signs: depression of the central nervous system, incoordination, vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, increased heart rate, seizures and coma.

Yew
Known scientifically as Taxus spp., yew contains a substance called taxine, which causes central nervous system effects — trembling, incoordination and difficulty breathing — as well as gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac failure, which can result in death.

Mushrooms/Toadstools
Often found growing in yards, mushrooms and toadstools should always be considered highly toxic. They can cause liver failure and death.

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Pet Preparedness

Do you have an emergency plan for your pets?

Your home is not only a safe haven for your family, but also for your pets.

When disaster strikes, people often have no other option than to leave their homes. Depending on the severity of the disaster, you may be away from your home for a few hours or a few months.

So what happens to the furry, four-legged members of your family? Here are some tips to help you prepare:

• Take time now to identify potential shelter sites or other safe havens where your pet could feel comfortable and be housed temporarily. Many emergency shelters do not allow pets.

• Make sure your pet wears a tag with up-to-date information. Your pet’s ID tag should contain his name, owner contact information, and any urgent medical conditions. Other ID items include license and vaccination tags, or microchips IDs.

• Prepare a pet evacuation kit containing a pet carrier, collar leash, harness, bedding, food/water dishes, medications, toys, pet first aid kit, and at least a three-day supply of food and water.

• It’s always preferable to take your pet with you in an emergency, but if you must leave your pet behind:

o Put him/her in a secure area in your home.
o Leave him at least 10 days of dry food and several water dishes.
o Place signs on doors and windows, describing the type and number of pets inside and providing owner contact information.

• Be prepared to describe your pet, having a photo of your pet can be especially helpful in reuniting pets and their owners.

Adapted from the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) article in CITYSCAPE (City of Tigard’s, OR Official Newsletter – June 2009 Edition.)

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