Spring poisoning hazards for pets

Abstract

Warmer weather in the spring may encourage owners and their animals to spend more time outdoors where pets may be exposed to garden products and spring plants. Ingestion of common spring flowering plants, such as tulips, primrose, hyacinth, snowdrops, grape hyacinth, spring crocus, bluebells and daffodil, often cause gastrointestinal signs in pets. Severe poisoning is uncommon but there is a risk of more pronounced clinical signs in some cases and ingestion of plant bulbs may cause gastrointestinal obstruction. Similarly, ingestion of fertiliser may cause gastrointestinal signs and ingestion of bone meal is a potential obstruction risk. Plants containing grayanotoxins, such as Rhododendron and Pieris species cause gastrointestinal and potentially cardiac effects. Patio cleaners and disinfectants containing cationic detergents such as benzalkonium chloride or didecyldimethylammonium chloride, are a particular risk to pets, especially cats. They are usually exposed after walking over a treated surface and then grooming, presenting hours later with salivation, hyperthermia and oral injury. Treatment of pets with clinical signs after exposure to a spring poisoning hazard is supportive.