Spring Planting for Safety
The sun is shining, the temperature is pleasant, and a warm breeze ruffles your hair. Okay, it may only be a dream but spring is only two weeks away! It’s that time of year when we are looking forward to seeing bulbs poking out the ground, planning flower beds, and thinking of fresh vegetables in the garden. But, with this time of year we also need to keep in mind plants that may be harmful to our pets and how to keep them safe. Flowering plants and bulbs in addition to vegetables can cause mild and severe sicknesses in our pets, knowing what to look for and how to avoid it will make for happier summertime fun.
Bulb perennials (Crocus, Hyacinth, Daffodils, Tulips, or amaryllis) will be poking their flowers and stalks up within the next few weeks. We all love to see that first sign of spring and our pets love to dig up that first sign of spring. If you have a pet that loves to dig up bulbs try putting a fence around where they are planted are running you underground fence around it so train them away from it. Ingesting the bulb is more dangerous on these plants than actually eating the flower because the concentration of toxins is stronger. These plants can cause gastro-intestinal upset such as; increased salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rates, and even rarely has been linked to cardiac arrhythmia and seizures. If caught early, treatment is successful with no lasting effects.
Many people have Rhododendrons and Mountain Laurels for their pretty evergreen qualities. These shrubs can cause gastro-intestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea, nausea) and can also cause cardiovascular issues, tremors, seizures, and rarely blindness. Ingesting only a few leaves or flowers can cause symptoms to develop within 12 hours. Early treatment results in a positive outcome unless cardiac arrhythmias develop.
Lilies are very beautiful and varied in variety (day, Easter, tiger, oriental, and Asiatic). These plants seem to only have an adverse effect on cats and can cause kidney problems; ingesting just 1-2 leaves or petals, pollen, or even vase water to cause severe problems. Treatment needs to be started within 18 hours of ingestion and urine output should be monitored. Other symptoms include anorexia, lethargy, vomiting, dehydration, and pain. These symptoms will develop within 6-12 hours of ingestion.
Fox Glove, Lily of the Valley, and Oleander are a common perennial and ground cover. Like the previous mentioned plants they also only require a 1-2 leaves/petals, vase water, or seeds to be ingested to cause cardiac issues and gastro-intestinal problems. Symptoms will develop within 30 minutes of ingestion and up to 2 hours after. You may notice increased salivation, vomiting, tremors, dilated pupils, and more severely seizures. Clinically hypertension, increased heart rate, or decreased heart rate may develop. Early treatment will result in a positive prognosis.
Rhubarb (leaves), shamrock plants, purple shamrock, and wood sorrel can cause severe gastro-intestinal upset when eaten in large quantities. If your pet feasts on these plants you may notice increased salivation, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea (may be bloody), depression, or tremors. It may take up to 24-36 hours for symptoms to develop but with appropriate treatments it can quickly be controlled and your pet feeling much better.
Lastly, let’s not forget the garden fruits and vegetables they may try to sneak. Onions and garlic can lead to anemia; grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure, too many tomatoes can cause stomach upset from the acids, and fruits with pits can cause bowel obstructions.
Most over indulgences can easily be treated but keep a close eye on your pets when you are outside working or playing. A little pre-planning could save a lot of trouble down the road and sometimes just having the extra information is all it takes. As we all know, it only takes a second for a whole plant or bulb to disappear… be prepared just in case.