Thursday, August 30, 2012

Toxic Plants: Cyclamen

It's something that doesn't usually cross our minds, but some common plants in our houses and around our gardens are in fact toxic to our furry friends.

Cyclamen
Cyclamen are very pretty flowers that are popular in gardens and pots. They are toxic to both cats and dogs. They have a high concentration of toxins located in the roots of the plant. The toxin found in this plant is called Terpenoid Saponins and can cause salivation, vomiting and diarrhea.  Fatalities have been reported in some cases following large ingestion of tubers which cause abnormal heart rhythms, seizures, and death.

You should consult your vet immediately if you have any concerns. 

Tune in next Thursday for more information on toxic plants. 

*This information was gathered from www.aspca.org/

1 comment:

  1. I wonder what the likelihood is that an animal would ingest "large" amounts of the tubers. For starters they are below the soil, which is not visible to them. Also, as with many toxic parts of plants, the taste is usually pretty awful-it's Nature's way of telling animals and us that this is not something good to eat. I think way too much is made of these topics. The likelihood of any poisoning is remote. It seems the province of the "worry-wart" type.

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