I’m Back!!

Hi everyone!

I’m back! I took a really long sabbatical from blogging to work on my new website and have my second child (not necessarily in that order) but now I’m back to blogging.  My goal is to post something good at least once a week so stay tuned!

Licks and Wags,

Melissa

Deadly Beauty – Hidden Poisons in Your Yard

As spring draws near many of us are drawn to planting beautiful gardens and hours of outdoor play with our pets.  This Month my posts will focus on backyard safety with your pet.  While your yard is a great place for your dog to hang out, many pet owners are unaware of the number of species of plants that are potentially poisonous to our dogs. This is also the time of year many of us decorate our homes with beautiful bouquets of cut flowers.  All species of lily are potentially fatal to cats. When sending a floral arrangement, specify that it contain no lilies if the recipient has a cat or dog—and when receiving an arrangement, sift through and remove all dangerous flora.

Dogs, especially puppies, love to chew on fun stuff they find in the yard! If your pet is suffering from symptoms such as stomach upset, vomiting or diarrhea, he may have ingested an offending flower or plant. Here is a list of plants commonly found to be toxic to pets. Please note that the following is not a complete list. If you have a particular plant in mind for your home or yard, you should thoroughly research it first. Use the ASPCA’s online toxic and nontoxic plant libraries as visual guides of what and what not should be in your bouquets and gardens. If you suspect your pet has come into contact with a potential toxin, please contact your vet or poison control immediately.

US Poison Control Hotline (Human) 1-800-222-1222  Free

Pet Poison Control  888-232-8870 $35 fee

ASPCA Veterinary Poison Control   (888) 426-4435. A $65 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.

Plants Poisonous to Dogs

One that really surprised me ·  Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans)

COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	SYMPTOMS WHEN INGESTED
Aloe	Aloe vera	vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression, tremors, change in urine color
Amaryllis	Amaryllis sp.	vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression, abdominal pain, excessive salivation, tremors
Apple and Crabapple	Malus sylvestrus	seeds, stems and leaves can result in red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting and shock
Autumn Crocus/Meadow Saffron	Colchicum autumnale	oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, organ damage, bone marrow suppression
Azalea/Rhododendron	Rhododendron spp.	vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, weakness, coma, death
Calla Lily/Trumpet Lily/Arum Lily	Zantedeschia aethiopica	oral irritation and pain, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Castor Bean/Castor Oil Plant	Ricinus communis	oral irritation and burning, increased thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure, convulsions; Note: beans are highly toxic
Chrysanthemum/Mum/Daisy	Chrysanthemum spp.	vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, loss of coordination, dermatitis
Cyclamen	Cyclamen spp.	excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, heart arrhythmias, seizures, death
Daffodil/Narcissus	Narcissus spp.	vomiting, salvation, diarrhea, convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, heart arrhythmias
Dumbcane	Dieffenbachia	oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Elephant Ears	Caladium hortulanum and Colocasia esculenta	oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
English Ivy	Hedera helix	vomiting, abdominal pain, excessive salivation, diarrhea
Foxglove	Digitalis purpurea	heart arrhythmias, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, death
Hosta	Hosta plataginea	vomiting, diarrhea, depression
Hyacinth	Hyacinthus orientalis	vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors
Hydrangea	Hydrangea arborescens	vomiting, diarrhea, depression
Iris	Iris species	excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy
Lily of the Valley	Convallaria majalis	vomiting, irregular heart beat, low blood pressure, disorientation, coma, seizures
Marijuana/Hashish	Cannabis sativa	depression, vomiting, loss of coordination, excessive salivation, dilated pupils, low blood pressure, low body temperature, seizure, coma
Mistletoe/American Mistletoe	Phoradendron flavescens	gastrointestinal complications, cardiovascular collapse, difficulty breathing, slow heart rate, behavior changes, vomiting, diarrhea
Oleander	Nerium oleander	vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, shallow/difficult breathing, muscle tremors, collapse, cardiac failure
Peace Lily	Spathiphyllum	oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Philodendron	Philodendron spp	oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Pothos/Devil’s Ivy	Epipremnum aureum	oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Sago Palm	Cycas revoluta, zamia species	vomiting, black (tarry) stools, jaundice, increased thirst, bruising, blood clotting problems, liver damage, death
Schefflera	Schefflera	oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Tobacco	Nicotiana glauca	hyperexcitability then depression, vomiting, loss of coordination, paralysis
Tulip	Tulipa species	vomiting, depression, diarrhea, excessive salivation
Yew/Japanese Yew	Taxus sp.	sudden death from acute cardiac failure (early signs include muscular tremors, difficulty breathing, seizures

Alternatives to Chemical Pesticides

It is very easy to reach for a chemical pesticide, fertilizer or fungicide when faced with a problem in the lawn or garden. Fortunately for the average home gardener, safer alternatives are available for most commonly encountered problems, reducing the risk of a toxic exposure for your pet. If you notice damaging insects on your plants such as aphids, spider mites or thrips, these insects can be eliminated or reduced by a simple spray of water. These soft-bodied insects are easily dislodged. Adjust the nozzle of your hose so a firm spray will not harm your plants and wash them away. If you have only a few plants, use a good stream of water from your watering can and a little hand washing. It may take a day or two but an infestation can be cleared by no more than a good shower!

Soap and Water

If your insect problem is more serious, add a teaspoon of dish soap to a gallon of water and use it in a garden sprayer. The soap is an irritant to a lot of insects and can help break down the protective barriers of their external skeleton. There are commercial insecticidal soaps available that are less toxic than most chemical alternatives.

And Don’t Forget

Sometimes we forget the simplest things! Put your pets inside when mowing the lawn. A lawn mower can make a projectile out of a stick or rock that can injure your pet. Paint your garden tools a bright color such as red or yellow so you can see them out in the yard. Many pets step or trip on sharp garden implements. Store your chemicals out of reach and in their original containers. Don’t assume your pet will not be interested in consuming these products. If there is a toxic exposure or consumption, call your veterinarian immediately with the information from the product label. Keep your pets inside when applying any chemicals to the lawn or garden. With a little planning you and your pet can enjoy a safe and beautiful garden.

Have a great spring!

* Info Taken from About.com  and ASPCA.org