PLEASE READ ABOUT  POISONS   November - Poinsettias Poinsettias are not the deadly flowers that popular legend has made them out to be? Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are part of a family of plants known as spurges. During the 1820s Joel Robert Poinsett, the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico at the time, first brought poinsettias to the U.S. from a Mexican city he had visited. It was during the early part of the 20th century that the myth of the plant's toxicity began when the two-year-old child of a U.S. Army officer was alleged to have become ill and died from consuming a poinsettia leaf. As a result of this rumor, the toxic potential of poinsettia has become highly exaggerated. In reality, poinsettia ingestions typically produce only mild to moderate gastrointestinal tract irritation, which may include drooling, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Therefore, while keeping this plant out of the reach of your pet to avoid stomach upset is still a good idea, pet owners need not fear the poinsettia and banish it from their homes for fear of a fatal exposure.

Make Your Pet's Home Poison Safe: List of Toxic Plants Azalea Common Name: Azalea Scientific Name: Rhododendron spp Family: Ericaceae Toxic Principle: grayantoxin Clinical signs: vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, weakness, coma, hypotension, CNS depression, cardiovascular collapse and death. Macadamia Nut Common Name: Macadamia Nut Scientific Name: Macadamia integrifolia Family: Proteaceae Toxic Principle: unknown Clinical signs: depression, hyperthermia, weakness, muscular stiffness, vomiting, tremors, increased heartrate. Only reported in dogs at this time. Mistletoe "American" Common Name: Mistletoe "American" Scientific Name: Phoradendron spp Family: Not available Toxic Principle: toxalbumin, pharatoxin viscumin Clinical signs: gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular collapse, dyspnea, bradycardia, erratic behavior, (hallucinogenic in humans). Orange Day Lily Common Name: Orange Day Lily Scientific Name: Hemorocallis graminea Family: Liliaceae Toxic Principle: unknown Clinical signs: vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, kidney failure. Cats are only species known to be affected. Day Lily Common Name: Day Lily Scientific Name: Hemorocallis dumortirei Family: Liliaceae Toxic Principle: unknown Clinical signs: vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, kidney failure. Cats are only species known to be affected.  Daffodil Common Name: Daffodil Scientific Name: Narcissus spp Family: Amaryllidaceae Toxic Principle: narcissine, narcipoeitin, lycorineh, other alkaloids. Clinical signs: severe gastrointestinal disorders, convulsions, shivering, hypotension, dermatitis, muscular tremors, and cardiac arrhythmias. Devil's IvyCommon Name: Devil's Ivy Scientific Name: Epipremnum aureum Family: Araceae Toxic Principle: calcium oxalate crystals Clinical signs: oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips, tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing. Easter Lily Common Name: Easter Lily Scientific Name: Lilium longiflorum Family: Liliaceae Toxic Principle: unknown Clinical signs: vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, and kidney failure. Cats are only species known to be affected. Elephant Ears Common Name: Elephant Ears Scientific Name: Caladium hortulanum Family: Araceae Toxic Principle: calcium oxalate crystals Clinical signs: oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips, tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing. English Ivy Common Name: English Ivy Scientific Name: Hedera helix Family: Araliaceae Toxic Principle: hederagenin (a steroid saponic glycoside), triterpenoid saponins, and falcardinol and didehydrofalcarinol. The folliage is more toxic than the berries. Clinical signs: gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, hyperactivity, breathing difficulty, coma, fever, polydipsia, dilated pupils, muscular weakness, and incoordination. Tomato Plant (green parts only)Common Name: Tomato Plant Scientific Name: Lycopersicon spp Family: Solanaceae Toxic Principle: solanine Clinical signs: hypersalivation, inappetence, severe gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, drowsiness, CNS depression, confusion, behavioral change, weakness, dilated pupils, slow heart rate. Iris Common Name: Iris Scientific Name: Iris sp. Family: Iridaceae Toxic Principle: Not available Clinical signs: vomiting, occasionally with blood, depression, diarrhea, occasionally with blood, hypersalivation, abdominal pain. Tulip Common Name: Tulip Scientific Name: Tulip sp Family: Liliaceae Toxic Principle: Unavailable Clinical signs: intense vomiting, depression, diarrhea, hypersalivation, inappetence. Holly Common Name: Holly Scientific Name: Ilex spp Family: Aguifoliaceae Toxic Principle: saponins Clinical signs: intense vomiting and diarrhea, depression.