As the rains fall, we look forward to the spring flowers that will soon be blooming. While their bright colors remind us of warmer days coming, they may pose a hazard to our pets. There are a number of toxic spring flowers that are common in our yards this time of year. These include things like daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, lily of the valley, rhododendrons, and azaleas. Daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths are part of the same family and contain a chemical which can cause drooling, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, increased heart rate, abdominal cramping, abnormal breathing, or cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart beats or rhythm). The bulb contains the highest concentration of this chemical, but all parts of the plant contain some, so if your pet has ingested a daffodil, tulip, or hyacinth veterinary attention should be sought. Rhododendrons and azaleas are also from the same family. These plants contain a chemical that is toxic to muscles in the body. This leads to clinical signs such as drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, irregular heart rate and beat, low blood pressure, weakness, tremors, and depression. In severe cases it can lead to blindness (usually temporary), seizures, and coma. Prognosis is generally good with treatment, so if you see your pet ingest one of these […]
Learn MoreAs July rolls around, many of us start to see fresh produce from our gardens. Who doesn’t enjoy some fresh greens, or watching the fruits of our labors start to ripen into the produce we will pick next month. While spending time in the garden is good for us, there are some hidden hazards to pets in there. Many plants in the garden may be potentially poisonous to your pet, and any plant if eaten in large enough amounts can cause issues such as obstructions. Most toxicities are mild and include gastrointestinal (GI) upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. However, a few of the ones listed below may be more serious. If your pet eats something out of your garden and you are not sure if it’s safe or not, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Please note that this list is not a complete list, just a few of the more common potentially hazardous plants seen in gardens. Tomatoes Tomatoes are a part of the nightshade family, which contains a number of toxic plants. Green tomatoes, leaves and stems, and flowers can all contain the toxin, though ripe tomatoes tend to have very little toxin left. Signs of toxicity can include GI upset, increased salivation (drooling), cardiac effects, and nervous system signs including […]
Learn MoreHeritage Animal Hospital is a full-service veterinarian clinic that provides examinations, diagnostic services, dental care, surgical services, medicine, grooming and boarding services in Maple Grove, Minnesota. We are dedicated to providing the highest level of pet care possible and facilitating an environment where client communication and education are at the forefront of our practice.
12624 Base Lake Road
Maple Grove, MN 55369
Mon-Fri: 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Sat: 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.