Exposure to cut flowers and spring flowering plants in cats and dogs in the UK
Abstract
In the spring the Veterinary Poisons Information Service often receives enquiries about dogs, and occasionally cats, that have eaten spring flowers or bulbs in the garden or while out walking. In cats a common source of plant exposure involves cut flowers and bouquets. Most of the plants involved cause gastrointestinal effects. In most cases these signs are mild to moderate but occasionally some plants such as daffodils and particularly lilies can cause more significant toxicity requiring more active intervention. Some of the spring flowering plants can also cause allergic dermal reactions but these are usually not significant in cats and dogs.
Many flowers appear in the spring when the weather starts to warm and days become longer, and pets can be attracted to the flowers or dig up the bulbs. Exposure to the bulbs may also occur in the autumn when they are planted. The Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) often receives enquiries about dogs that have eaten several different types of plants after digging up the newly planted bulbs. Most of these plants cause only gastrointestinal signs, but others such as the lilies and daffodil can cause significant toxicity. In this article each plant will be described in detail outlining the spe-cific risks with treatment recommendations provided.
Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) are bulbous plants found in woodland, hedgerows, parks and gardens. They are part of the Asparagaceae family. The flowers are often fragrant, blue to violet-blue (occasionally striped with a different shade of blue) or sometimes pink or white, and appear from April to June (Figure 1).
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting The Veterinary Nurse and reading some of our peer-reviewed content for veterinary professionals. To continue reading this article, please register today.