And, Then They Ate A Poisonous Plant...

It goes without saying that I adore my dogs.  They are freaking awesome (if I do say so myself)!

Paisley and Brady are still at the age that they want to taste everything regardless of what it is.  Yeah...they're just over a year old, but dachshunds stay in that "puppy" stage longer than larger breeds.  Generally, I don't take issue with them (or Meadow & Beckett) picking up a stick outside and giving it a good gnaw.

We all learned something the hard way last Thursday - hydrangea bushes are mildly toxic to dogs.  Paisley and Brady decided to nibble on a hydrangea branch before dinner.  They came in, and ate dinner as normal...five minutes later I hear tummy rumbles.

First Brady started vomiting.  Then twenty minutes later Paisley started too.  Between the hours of 7 PM and 2 AM, they emptied their system of EVERYTHING.  To make matters worse, Meadow decided to "help" me clean up a little (read between the lines folks) and got sick herself soon thereafter.

As my washer and dryer ran all night (let's just say the didn't warn me before they puked), I decided to start googling.  I keep a list of all the plants that are toxic to my pets.  Hydrangea was NOT on that list...but it is now.   Everyone was just fine after getting everything up; but I did call the emergency clinic to see what signs I should watch for.

Spring is going to arrive any day now, and I'll be updating my list of "safe" plants before I do any gardening.  I ask all my fellow pet parents to do the same!  Here are a few plants to get you started:

• Autumn crocus (Colchicum): Its active ingredient, colchicines, triggers an anti-metabolic effect that can cause rapidly dividing cells, shedding of the gastrointestinal tract, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.
•  Azalea (Rhododendron): This popular plant can harm a dog's cardiovascular system and trigger vomiting or gastrointestinal upset.
• Daffodil (Narcissus): Toxic ingredients in the bulbs cause convulsions, tremors, lethargy, weakness, and upset stomachs.
• Hyacinth (Hyacinth): This popular plant can cause severe vomiting, bloody diarrhea, depression, and tremors.
• Japanese yew (Taxis): Extremely toxic to dogs, this group of ornamental plants can cause seizures or cardiac failure. The plant and red berries are toxic.
• Lily of the valley (Convalaria): This plant can cause heart failure, coordination problems, and vomiting.
• Oleander (Nerium): Extremely toxic, this popular outdoor plant contains cardiac glycosides that harm the heart, decrease body temperature, cause abnormal pulse rate, and can cause death. Beware: Even people have died from eating hot dogs roasted on an oleander twig.
• Rhubarb (Rheum): Although the stalks are used to make pies, the leaves pack the potential to cause kidney damage.
• Sago palm (Cycads): Resembling an upside down pineapple, this plant thrives in sandy soils, especially in warmer states such as California, Texas, and Florida. A few seeds can kill a dog.
• Tomato (Lycopersicion): Surprisingly, the greenery of this common plant, not the tomato itself, contains solanine, a toxic ingredient that can prompt gastric upset, depression, weakness, and a decrease in heart rate.

If you have any other plants that should be on the "no plant" list - please let me know!