ASPCA alpabetical list of plants dangerous to dogs--CLICK HERE
If you already have dogs or if you have just brought a new puppy or cat into your home, be sure you don't have potentially lethal plants any where near your pets. The heart break of loosing a pet this way is a terrible price to pay for some green decorations in your home.
Also-- if you receive a floral arrangement from someone, the bouquet could contain plants that are toxic to your pets. A friend of mine lost his cat after a vendor sent him a bouquet of flowers that included lilies. He found his precious kitty dead the next day in his apartment. The cat had eaten one of the lilies in the arrangement.
My Mother's Story:
I received a call from my mother. She has a dog
that is absolutely the center of her life. She was very concerned because Bailey threw up the night before and pooped in the dining room--something he never does.
Upon inspection she discovered that he had been chewing on a house plant that she has had for many years. In a panic she called me and I went on line to do some research. What I discovered was not good. I want to share what I found because this particular plant is a common house plant-- one I have seen in many homes.
Click here for the list of Plants Poisonous to Dogs
I found this website to be a great source for information. They had descriptions of the toxic effects of the plant to the dog's system, organs and advice on immediate treatment and veterinary care.
This is the plant that Bailey chewed on:
Schefflera Is Poisonous To Pets
Name: Schefflera
Toxins: Oxalates that bind with calcium in the blood to form calcium oxalate crystals
Symptoms: Intense sensation of burning in the mouth, throat, lips and tongue, excessive drooling, choking and swelling, inability or difficulty swallowing, Ingestion of larger quantities, can result in severe digestive upset, extreme difficulty in breathing, rapid shallow gasps, if to much is consumed the symptoms become much more severe and can include any of the above with the addition of convulsions, renal failure, coma and death. It is possible to recover from severe calcium oxalate poisoning, however in most cases permanent liver, and kidney damage may have already occurred.
Additional Information: Hypocalcaemia (the presence of low serum calcium levels in the blood) and/or Oxalate Nephrosis ( Kidney disease that is characterized by the formation of lesions of the epithelial lining of the renal tubules), can also occur. Upon ingestion of Schefflera which contains oxalates, the oxalates will be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract to bind with the serum calcium in the blood forming calcium oxalate crystals and depleting the blood of its normal calcium levels causing hypocalcaemia. This lack of unbound body regulated calcium in the blood stream will impair the function of the cell membrane causing muscular tremors, lethargy due to weakness, collapse and quite possibly death. It is the formation of these insoluble calcium oxalate crystals and the bodies attempt to process them that causes irreversible kidney damage, that may lead to eventual renal failure.
First Aid: Upon ingestion of plants containing oxalates, the mouth should be rinsed and flushed thoroughly with water. The dog can then be given yogurt, milk, cheese or any other source of calcium to prevent the onset of hypocalcaemia by precipitating soluble oxalates. You should also begin fluid therapy to promote urination and assist the body in removing the non soluble oxalate crystals. Oxalate Nephrosis is not reversible, leaving supportive care as the only available treatment option. Seek Veterinary Attention.
As I was looking for content for this posting of my blog, I came across multiple videos exposing the recent mass poisoning of stray dogs in Ukraine, which inspired this post. There are videos being posted noting "As Kiev prepares to host the European Football Championship in 2012, animal rights groups claim attempts to beautify the country are coming at the expense of homeless animals." The videos are too gruesome to place on my blog and personally-- I watched part of one of a poisoned street dog-- I couln't watch more than a few seconds. The image disturbed me too much. I have two videos posted below of news reposts about the situation.
Back to Ukraine...in the village center of the small remote town where I lived during much of my last my visit to Ukraine, I observed strays of all sizes politely walking through the crowds at the open air shops. These shops were actually nothing more than cramped and dirty outdoor stalls, separated from one another by tarps and sheltered overhead by another tarp which offered some protection from the snow and rain. Hoping for a scrap or morsel from the shoppers and vendors at these open air stalls, these stray dogs stood patiently, hopefully, quietly looking up at the people passing by.
There was one particular stall that caught my attention--in it was the chicken vendor. While there were different cuts of chicken meat available, their most popular item was chicken feet. I suppose people bought the feet for soup. Perhaps it was all they could afford. Occasionally a kind person would drop a chicken foot to a silently begging dog. This lucky little pup would run off with this little treasure to quickly gobble up this scant meal.
However, everywhere I went, I saw signs of ordinary people taking care of stray animals. In the Kharkov apartment complex where I lived in for a couple of weeks, I saw people leaving scraps and leftovers outside for the stray cats and dogs of the neighborhood. Everyday there were new offerings left out on planks for the homeless animals. And while I saw many animals living out on the street, I can't say that I saw any emaciated dogs with rib cages showing.
My hope and prayer for Ukraine, is that true reform will come for the people. That the people will find God's peace and healing from the oppression that they lived under for several generations. That the government and society will reform, and that the people of Ukraine find true freedom, that they will prosper and experience economic independence. Perhaps then, when the people have the care and services they need, and eventually there will be the resources for animals-- for spay/neuter programs, shelters and rescue groups to help homeless pets. May God heal and bless the people of Ukraine.
Doggie Nanny News:
it with a diluted solution of about 50/50 of Simple Green. I spray our deck, outdoor rugs, and anything the dogs might have lifted their leg on and the odors are gone!
that is absolutely the center of her life. She was very concerned because Bailey threw up the night before and pooped in the dining room--something he never does. 
