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Now that the temperatures across Canada are warming up and as the May long weekend is past. People are starting to think about gardens.
With C19 more people then normal are taking up gardening. Without even thinking some of us forget about the dangers that common plants in the garden can be for our pets.
If you plan on planting any of the following, make sure your pet is closely supervised around them. Or if possible fence off the garden area. This of course is more of a challenge for cat owners then it is for dog owners.
If your pet could have possibly ingested any of these plants, you should call your vet immediately.
- Chives
- Onions
- Garlic
- Leeks
- Shallots
All five of these herbs belong to the Allium family. Garlic is the most toxic of these herbs.
Symptoms: over time they will show some of the following symptoms: foul breath, irritation of the mouth resulting in hyper-salivation or drooling, nausea, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea, reddish discoloration of urine, lethargy, weakness, ataxia (wobbly gait), elevated heart rate, increased respiratory rate or panting, pale gums, exercise intolerance, or collapse.
- Rhubarb
Rhubarb is mainly used for baking. The leaves contain oxalate crystals which can cause havoc with your pets urinary tract. Not only are the leaves poisonous for cats but also humans.
Symptoms: Drooling, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, tremors, blood in urine, changes to thirst and urination
- Tomato Plants
Plants in this in the nightshade family are considered toxic and immature fruit that has not yet ripened contain the highest concentrations of the toxins and should be avoided
Symptoms: with a small ingestion, we can see gastro-intestinal irritation. Larger ingestions can be more serious and in addition to vomiting and diarrhea, you might see dilated pupil, depression and increases in heart-rate.
