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Keeping pets safe – Advice for pet owners on pesticides and toxic plants

Now, that spring weather has finally arrived, many gardeners are exploiting Louisiana’s heat and humidity to cultivate lush landscapes. At this time, pet owners need to take special precaution so that efforts to help gardens grow won’t harm their furry friends.

Most green thumbs know pesticides and lawn care products can be toxic pets. Chemicals should be stowed away from pets. After treating lawns and outside areas, restrict pets’ activity until exposure danger has passed.

However, it’s not only man-made products that pose a threat. Few owners realize naturally occurring plant compounds are just as toxic to pets.

For example, while Baton Rouge may be renown for its azaleas, crepe and stately oaks, there is hardly a tropical plant more popular in the Capital City than the sago palm. Landscapers and gardeners are attracted to these ornamentals because they are fairly hearty and easy to grow. Unfortunately, some pets—dogs and retrievers, in particular—also find the plants attractive. They love to play with the root ball and chew on the leaves. These are two activities that often have deadly consequences.

Ingestion of any part of this plant including the red seed produced in the spring destroys liver function. Within 12 hours of eating the plant, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, jaundice (a yellowing of the whites of the eyes, along the gums, base of the ear and abdomen) and hemorrhaging may occur.

While more than half of dogs with sago palm poisoning die, some may survive with early intervention and aggressive treatment including costly plasma transfusions. LSU veterinarians see most sago palm poisoning cases in the spring and summer; however, accidental ingestion can occur year-round. With sago palms, an ounce of prevention is really worth more than a pound of cure.

Clinicians also caution that many other types of summer foliage—including hydrangea, wisteria, delphinium, foxglove, privet hedge and monkshood—can be toxic to pets as well. The best strategy is to be vigilant and prevent your pet from eating these plants on walks or even removing them from your yard.

In addition, Senna (commonly known as sicklepod, coffee Senna, coffee weed and cassia) and Perilla mint (also known as purple mint) are toxic to horses and other livestock. Symptoms of Senna ingestion include diarrhea, wobbliness, weakness and dark urine. Ruminants are primarily affected by ingesting Perilla mint, and symptoms include respiratory distress.

If you suspect your pet or horse has ingested something harmful, contact your veterinarian immediately. Delays in seeking professional help may lead to serious complications or even death.

If your pet requires medical care after-hours, the LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital on Skip Bertman Drive is open 24/7 and even during holidays. For more information, call 578-9600.

Gibson is a one-and-a-half year-old Australian cattle dog. This sweet young pup loves to play. He’d enjoy a home with an owner who has lots of time and energy to go on daily walks and give him lots of playtime, love and affection.

Leo is a special needs, three-year-old brown tabby. Because he is FeLV positive, he is best suited to being an only cat or a companion for another FeLV cat. While an indoor cat, he does occasionally go outdoors into a safely enclosed courtyard.

Wyatt is a happy, happy, happy boy! This terrier mix is very energetic who loves to run and play. He gets along well with kids; but, he can sometimes get a little over excited sometimes. He’s probably do best paired with older kids. Wyatt would love a home with moderate to high energy level and a family who can provide him lots of exercise and playtime.

Rose is a one-year-old tabby. She and her siblings were found in a classroom ceiling. Rose has very usual coloring. Her back is black with flecks of grey at the tips and her stomach and legs have grey stripes. She’s very affectionate and loves to be held and to nap on a lap. She also enjoys playing with the other cats.

Fiona is a nine-month-old shih tzu/terrier mix.

Willow is a one-year-old female dilute calico.

All these pets have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, heartworm tested and microchipped. Many other adoptable dogs, puppies, cats and kittens are available through Capital Area Animal Welfare Society.