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Where can I find out about plants that might be poisonous for my pets?

Article ID: 23
Last updated: 08 Dec, 2010
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The US animal welfare organisation ASPCA runs a national Animal Poisons Control Centre for pets which includes a list of the most frequently encountered plants that have been reported as having systemic effects on pets and/or intense effects on the gastrointestinal tract. It also contains a list of reported non-toxic plants. The list includes information on the effects of each toxic plant, for example:
  • Common Name: Australian Nut
  • Scientific Name: Macadamia integrifolia
  • Family: Proteaceae
  • Toxic Principle: unknown
  • Clinical signs: depression, hyperthermia, weakness, muscular stiffness, vomiting, tremors, increased heartrate. Only reported in dogs at this time.
The University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine Library also has a good database of plants toxic to animals (including photos and detailed description of the effects of the plants on animals)
 
Cornell University has a Poisonous Plants Information Database, which is arranged by type of animal and includes plants poisonous to livestock.
There are also a few web sites which list plants dangerous to cats:
Unfortunately, there is less information available on Australian plants. A couple of papers have been written on the topic but they have more relevance to livestock than pets:
 


This website provides general information which must not be relied upon or regarded as a substitute for specific professional advice, including veterinary advice. We make no warranties that the website is accurate or suitable for a person’s unique circumstances and provide the website on the basis that all persons accessing the website responsibly assess the relevance and accuracy of its content.
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