The Landscaper

Poisionous to your PETS Did you know the Sago Palm can Kill your Dog or Cat?

Over the Christmas holiday a friend and I spent some time at the Katy Freeway "Animal Emergency Clinic." AKA: Veterinary Emergency Referral Group Inc. Her Pug "Abigail" was not feeling well. During our wait we observed a couple that had brought their dog in after chewing on a Sago Palm Pod. After 4 hours of emergency treatment, due to radical kidney failure, the dog did not survive. This devastating event could have been prevented if the couple had been aware of how poisonous Sago Palms really are. Since that experience, I have made it my mission to find out more about poisonous plants in our residential landscapes. I have compiled a list of the 11 most common, some will probably surprise you.

>Lilies : (most varieties) Various members of the Lilium Genus, Easter Lilies, Tiger Lilies, Stargazer Lilies, and some species of Day Lilies.

>Castor Bean : (Ricinus communis) This plant grows anywhere from 3 to 14 feet tall. Is Red/Purple in color and develops large maple leaf like foliage. It just takes one single bean to kill an animal. (FYI: 3 chewed and ingested seeds will kill an adult human)

>Sago Palm : (Cycas revolute) This lovely palm is very common in the city of Houston and can be a great accent for a front or back yard. Unfortunately, dogs have been known to play football with the pod of the Sago Palm. Be aware that the pods contain little seeds and just one or two seeds, if ingested; can cause sever clinical signs and death.

>Rhododendron, Azalea : (Rhododendron spp) On this beauty, the plant as a whole is toxic and can cause anything from diarrhea to cardiac arrhythmias to seizures.

>Japanese Yew : (yew Taxus) All parts of this plant are extremely toxic. Yews can start out shrub like and eventually turn into tree form. Do not let your pet chew on the branches of this plant, as for this one works fast and furious. Yews have been known to kill a dog before any signs begin.

>Autumn Crocus: (Colchicum autumnale) also dangerous/deadly to pet birds.

>Foxglove: (Digitalis purpurea) deadly.

>Aloe Vera: (aloe vera) extreme sickness & deadly.

>Lily of the Valley: (Convalaria majalis) deadly.

>Oleander: (Nerium oleander) deadly to all animals.

>Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: (Brunfelsia australis) extreme sickness & potential death.

I want to personally thank Dr. Laurie Noaker and her kind staff at the Veterinary Emergency Referral Group Inc. (713) 932-9589 for their work and continuous efforts in making us more aware of the everyday dangers that could harm our loved ones.

For more information visit the ASPCA website (Animal Poison Control Center) http://www.apcc.aspca.org or contact Portia at Leyendecker Landscape for a poisonous plant consultation or any other gardening needs. 713-426-0649

Below are informative links on additional toxic plants for dogs & cats.