The most common call they receive is about lilies, which can cause acute renal failure in cats. “I advise cat owners to not have lilies in the house or yard because one bite is all it takes and the symptoms are gradual,” she said. “We usually don’t get the call until three days later, at which point the cat is in kidney failure.”
Orange Veterinarian Jeff Horner of Orange Veterinary Hospital has seen death caused by oleander and ‘Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ (Brunfelsia).
If you suspect that your pet has ingested a poisonous plant, bring the pet and the suspected plant to the vet. “Although we’re not botanists, seeing the plant can sometimes help us make an accurate diagnosis,” Horner said.
* The San Diego Division of the California Poison Control System, which serves Orange County, can be reached at (800) 876-4766. For additional information, including lists of toxic and nontoxic plants, visit http://www.calpoison.org.
* The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center can be reached at (888) 426-4435 or (800) 548-2423. There is usually a charge for help with a poisoned animal. For additional information, visit the Web site at http://www.napcc.aspca.org.
Plants to Watch Out For
Highly Toxic
Some plants have foliage, flowers or fruit that can be highly toxic when eaten. For a list of plants toxic to animals, call the Orange Veterinary Hospital at (714) 978-6260 or visit the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center’s Web site at http://www.napcc.aspca.org. Here is a list of plants that are known to be deadly to humans:
* Angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia)
* Azalea
* Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)
* Castor bean (Ricinus communis)
* Cestrum spp.
* Daphne
* Delphinium
* Echium vulgare
* Foxglove
* Heliotrope
* Jimson weed (Datura stramonium)
* Larkspur
* Lily-of-the-valley
* Lobelia
* Lupine
* Meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale)
* Morning glory (seeds)
* Myoporum
* Nicotiana spp.
* Oleander
* Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum)
* Pregnant onion (Ornithogalum)
* Scilla
* Sweet pea
* Yew (Taxus spp.)Less Toxic
There are many common plants that have foliage, flowers or fruit capable of producing a wide range of problems in humans such as skin rashes, painful swelling of the mouth, vomiting and diarrhea. If eaten in large quantities, some of the following plants may also cause more serious poisoning. This is not a complete list.
* Agave species
* Amaryllis
* Anemone
* Anthurium
* Arrowhead plant (Syngonium podophyllum)
* Birch tree (Betula species)
* Bird of paradise (Caesalpinia gilliesii)
* Boston ivy
* Caladium
* Calla lily
* Camphor tree
* Carnation
* Clematis
* Columbine
* Cotoneaster
* Croton
* Cyclamen
* Daffodil
* Dieffenbachia
* Elephant’s ear (Alocasia/Colocasia)
* English ivy (Hedera spp.)
* Eucalyptus
* Euonymus
* Euphorbia species
* Four o’clock (Mirabilis jalapa)
* Gladiolus
* Holly (berries)
* Hyacinth
* Hydrangea
* Iris
* Jatropha
* Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum)
* Kaffir lily (Clivia spp.)
* Love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena)
* Ming aralia (Polyscias spp.)
* Mistletoe
* Mum
* Narcissus
* Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
* Philodendron
* Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)
* Poppy
* Potato (green parts)
* Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
* Primrose
* Privet (Ligustrum)
* Pyracantha spp.
* Rhubarb (leaves)
* Rubber plant (Ficus spp.)
* Sago palm
* Sansevieria
* Schefflera
* Snowflake (Leucojum spp.)
* Tobacco
* Tomato vines
* Tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca)
* Tulip
* Umbrella plant (Cyperus alternifolius)
* Wisteria (seeds)
* Yarrow
