Springtime in San Antonio brings toxic plan dangers for pets
April 2023 (SAN ANTONIO, Texas) – Thrive Pet Healthcare, a leading veterinary service network that uniquely delivers a continuum of care to pet families, announced Tuesday that it is partnering with Pet Poison Helpline headed into spring, as toxic plant dangers for pets become more prevalent.
With the arrival of spring and warmer weather, it’s important for pet owners to be aware of the potential dangers lurking in their gardens and homes. There are currently more than 700 plants identified that produce compounds that can be toxic to pets, with effects ranging from mild stomach upset to death.
Thrive Pet Healthcare recently partnered with Pet Poison Helpline to provide their more than 10,000 veterinary professionals in approximately 400 locations across the country with direct, 24/7 access to animal poison control experts for all species.
“Having a direct link to Pet Poison Helpline is a valuable resource for the veterinarians across our network,” said Thrive Pet Healthcare Vice President of Medical Excellence and Education Dr. Kelly Cairns. “It’s one more tool our veterinarians can use to provide pet owners with the best medical care for toxicities, which can be a game-changer considering how deadly some toxins can be for pets.”
“Eating just about any plant could cause vomiting and diarrhea in your pet, but some plants such as Sago Palms and lilies can cause more significant complications including liver and kidney failure, respectively,” says Dr. Leslie Bauer, Medical Director at Emergency Pet Clinic – San Antonio, a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner. “It’s important to be aware of which plants are toxic to pets and keep them out of reach. If you suspect your pet ingested a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately. Accurate and timely treatment of known toxicities is critical. If you wait until your pet begins to act ill, organ damage may have already occurred. Early decontamination and treatment can prevent the most life-threatening complications.”
Symptoms of plant poisoning may vary, but common behaviors include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, difficulty swallowing, lethargy, tremors or convulsions.
According to Pet Poison Helpline’s Toxin Trends, Sago Palm, lilies, marijuana, onions and garlic are among the top 20 reported toxins for pets in Texas, with lilies the No. 1 ranked toxin in cats. Types of lilies include Lilium sp. (Oriental, Stargazer, Easter lilies, etc.) and Hemerocallis sp. (daylilies). Other plants, vegetables and planting materials that could potentially cause toxicity to pets include:
- Amaryllis
- Autumn Crocus
- Azalea/Rhododendron
- Castor Bean
- Chives
- Chrysanthemum
- Cocoa bean mulch
- Compost and other soil amenders
- Cyclamen (root most toxic)
- Eggplant (toxic to cats)
- English Ivy
- Kalanchoe
- Leeks
- Oleander
- Onion
- Pothos
- Rhubarb (leaves)
- Scallions
- Schefflera
- Shallots
- Tomatoes (leaves and immature fruits)
- Tulip/Narcissus bulbs
- Yew
Should your pet ingest any toxic plants, vegetables or planting materials, or another questionable substance, call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661. Their treatment advisors will provide you with a case number that veterinarians can reference when treating your pet.
To prevent pet poisonings from toxic plants, pet owners should do the following:
- Research the plants in your home and garden to determine which are toxic to pets.
- Keep toxic plants out of reach of pets. This can be accomplished by hanging plants in baskets or on high shelves, or by dedicating one room in your home to plants and keeping it off-limits to pets. If you’re unable to keep the plant out of reach, consider removing it altogether.
- Supervise pets when they are outside and prevent them from eating plants in your yard.
Thrive Pet Healthcare has approximately 400 locations across the U.S., which includes a local network of nine primary, urgent and emergency hospitals in the San Antonio area. All cohesively linked hospitals can quickly share medical records and refer patients to network veterinary providers to meet every healthcare need throughout a pet’s life.
Pet owners in the San Antonio area can search for their nearest Thrive Pet Healthcare location at www.thrivepetcare.com/location.
About Thrive Pet Healthcare:
Thrive Pet Healthcare is a leading veterinary service network that uniquely delivers a continuum of care to pet families and services to veterinary hospitals. With an industry-first membership program and over 350 acute, primary, and specialty providers, Thrive Pet Healthcare offers personalized, accessible care through every stage of a pet’s life and health. The veterinarian-founded organization provides premier benefits for practice staff while elevating privately held veterinary hospitals with innovative service and technology solutions. By focusing on the needs and aspirations of veterinary care providers, Thrive Pet Healthcare is supporting the well-being of the industry and raising the national bar for veterinary excellence. To learn more about Thrive Pet Healthcare, please visit www.thrivepetcare.com.
