Veterinary specialists are warning Tamborine Mountain pet owners to beware of highly toxic indoor and outdoor plants that can cause severe health problems and have potentially fatal consequences for animals if ingested.
Leading Queensland animal hospital BVSC has recorded a steady increase in the number of dogs and cats treated for toxic plant poisoning recently and says pet owners should take care when it comes to choosing indoor and outdoor plants.
According to BVSC founder and leading veterinarian Dr Rod Straw, “lilies, azaleas, schefflera, bulbs, tulips and a number of mushroom varieties are just a few common plants that can be deadly to animals if ingested”.
“Toxicity ranges from mild to life threatening depending on the plant and the size of the animal.
“For example, ingestion of even a small amount of lily can cause fatal kidney failure in cats.
“Recently, we have seen an increase in the number of dogs suffering from severe toxicity associated with eating small amounts of Cycad palms.
“These are becoming more popular as ornamental plants and ingestion of almost any part of the plant can cause severe gastrointestinal signs and liver failure. Mortality rates have been reported between 30 and 50 per cent,” he said.
The animal hospital recently treated Rosie, a two year old Kelpie who had eaten a small amount of Cycad palm.
“Rosie arrived with severe vomiting and diarrhoea, life threatening protein loss and irregular heartbeats.
“After several days of intensive care she made a full recovery and will not have any long lasting effects. However, some dogs are not so lucky.
“Being familiar with the plants in your house and garden is the key to preventing your pet from ingesting plants that are potentially toxic,” said Dr Straw.
Common symptoms of plant poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, skin allergies and increased thirst. However, the symptoms are potentially very varied and can mimic many other diseases. It is important to mention to your vet if your pet has eaten any sort of plant even if it seems initially trivial or unimportant.
“If you suspect your pet has ingested a dangerous plant, contact your local vet immediately,” he concluded.
For information about noxious plants pet owners are urged to contact their local vet.