Emergencies

Gardens or Flower Bouquets: How to Recognize Toxic Plants for Cats and Dogs

Posted on by Laurie Coronel

Whether you receive a bouquet of flowers as a gift, you have plants at home, or are gardening, if you have a cat or a dog (or even both!), you need to know which plants are dangerous and which ones you can keep!

 

According to the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center, here are the plants that are poisonous to your furry friends:

  • Amaryllis
  • Autumn crocus
  • Castor plant
  • Christmas cactus
  • Chrysanthemum
  • Cyclamen
  • Daffodil
  • English Ivy and Devil’s Ivy
  • Holly
  • Hydrangea
  • Kalanchoe
  • Lily: regardless of its variety (Asiatic Lily, Daylily, Peace Lily or Lily of the Valley), they are all dangerous
  • Marijuana: especially the seeds, but the leaves as well
  • Oleander
  • Poinsettia
  • Rhododendron and Philodendron
  • Sago Palm
  • Schefflera
  • Tulip
  • Yew Wood

 

What plants are safe to have?

  • Aster
  • Calamagrostis
  • Carnation
  • Caryopteris
  • Daisy
  • Grass Fountain
  • Orchid
  • Pansy
  • Rose
  • Russian Sage
  • Sunflower

If you are unsure about a plant ingested by your pet, visit the Animal Poison Control Center website or call them at 1-888-426-4435.

 

Ingesting a poisonous plant can bring its share of problems, such as

  • Kidney and liver damage
  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • Gastrointestinal irritation
  • Seizures
  • Heart problems
  • Weakness
  • Hypothermia

 

The most extreme cases can lead to the death of the animal, which is why you should never underestimate the quantity ingested and go to the emergency quickly if you think you have seen your animal eat some.

You can go to the emergency department of our three following hospitals at any time:

 

Do not hesitate to research each of these plants to be able to recognize them visually.

 

 Cindy Rosa-Boisvert, TSA

Hôpital Vétérinaire Ste-Thérèse

 

Xylitol – A Threat to Buddy Over the Holidays!

Posted on by Laurie Coronel

The holidays provides pets with several opportunities to steal some food left unattended in the home. Vigilance is key!

Xylitol is a natural sweetener extracted from birch bark. It is used in the manufacturing of numerous food products and other items. Consumption of xylitol can be very dangerous for dogs, especially when the ingested product contains a lot of it (within the first 3 ingredients). It only causes mild issues for cats and ferrets.

It is easy to identify xylitol in ingredient lists of food products, but it can be invisible on the label of other products…. Here are a few examples:

-     Food: ketchup, peanut butter, chocolate, candy, chewing gum, BBQ sauce, bakery & pastry items, drink crystals, etc.

-     Cosmetics: makeup, lip gloss, lip balm

-     Pharmaceuticals: medications, vitamins, electrolytes

-     Personal care & hygiene products: face wipes, baby wipes, diapers, sunscreen

-     Dental care products: toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash, lozenges

In dogs, xylitol causes severe and rapid hypoglycemia (15 min to 2 hours after eating) and severe liver damage (12-72 hours after eating).

Here are a few observable clinical signs:

  • Hypoglycemia: weakness, loss of balance, walking “drunk”, trembling, convulsions, loss of consciousness, even death if not treated!
  • Hepatic damage: decreased appetite, lethargy, yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes, vomiting, and diarrhea.

To protect your pet from xylitol, avoid buying foods that contain it and avoid cooking with it, or store these products out of reach.

Make it a habit to take your medications/vitamins in a closed room, in case something falls on the floor; so you have time to pick up the dropped medication before your pet eats it.

In the event that your pet ingests something containing xylitol, go immediately to your nearest emergency centre to be seen by a veterinarian.

Be sure to have the ingested product or recipe on hand and tell the veterinarian how much your pet has ingested. This information will be crucial to your pet's treatment.

 

Danielle P.  TSA
Hôpital Vétérinaire Blainville

 

Animal Health Clinic

Your pet is a member of your family and ours; it is a best friend, and even a confidant!

That's why our dedicated team of veterinarians, technicians and support team is always there, ready to care for your pet and give you the most appropriate advice to ensure its well-being and health.

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Your pet is a member of your family and ours; it is a best friend, and even a confidant!

That's why our dedicated team of veterinarians and technicians is always there, ready to care for your pet and give you the most appropriate advice to ensure its well-being and health.

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Hôpital Vétérinaire Victoria • Greenfield Park

Your pet is a member of your family and ours; it is a best friend, and even a confidant!

That's why our dedicated team of veterinarians and technicians is always there, ready to care for your pet and give you the most appropriate advice to ensure its well-being and health.

Hôpital Vétérinaire Victoria • St-Lambert

Your pet is a member of your family and ours; it is a best friend, and even a confidant!

That's why our dedicated team of veterinarians and technicians is always there, ready to care for your pet and give you the most appropriate advice to ensure its well-being and health.

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That's why our dedicated team of veterinarians, technicians, assistant technicians and receptionists is always there, ready to care for your pet and give you the most appropriate advice to ensure its well-being and health.