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Plants
There are hundreds of plants including houseplants, which are potentially poisonous to our cats and cats. To list them all would be too numerous, so we have included some common toxic varieties. However the number of reports of actual animals becoming seriously ill from eating plants is more infrequent than form being poisoned by household products or drugs. The best advice is to contact your vet if you are concerned if your cat has eaten them. Preventing them from eating plants when they are young is the best deterrent. Poinsettias, ivy and mistletoe are dangerous plants and their toxic potential is dangerous, however they very rarely cause signs of illness if your cat eats them. The Japanese Yew, otherwise known as Yew, Spreading English Yew or Canada Yew is an exotic ornamental plant and it is extremely poisonous. Your cat only needs to eat 1/10th of 1% of it’s own bodyweight to obtain a toxic dose. The toxin found in the Yew is an alkaloid and will suppress the electrical activity of the heart.
Clinical signs include: incoordination, tremors, diarrhoea and collapse.
The Araceae Family, which include the common names: Tuberous begonia, wax begonia, water plant, peace lily, etc are house plants which contain compounds called oxalates, These oxalates can accumulate in various internal organs of the animals bodies which in turn can release chemical into the system which may cause an allergic reaction. Fortunately the plant does cause pain and irritation on chewing, however persistent chewers through boredom or behavioural problems may be a risk. The Rhododendrons, including lily of the valley, laurel, azalea, foxgloves etc all contain cardiac glycosides, drugs which are used in the treatment of heart disease in humans and animals, digitalis is derived from the foxglove plant. Cats or cats ingesting these plants may be at risk. Signs include: Vomiting, diarrhoea, collapse or possibly death from heart failure. The Nightshades, including Chinese lanterns, Christmas cherry, ornamental pepper all contain toxins called solanines, which may affect either the brain or the stomach. Different toxins are presenting different plants. Solanines affecting the stomach will produce clinical signs such as: vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. Soloanines affecting the brain will produce clinical signs such as increased dribbling, drowsiness, weakness, trembling, difficulty in breathing and collapse.
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