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Warning as population boom, plant craze puts pets at risk

As more people move to coastal Queensland, and amid a house plant craze, a top vet has warned of the dangers that could be lurking in your home, yard and at the local beach.

Dr Bianca Saunders from Wide Bay Vetinary Surgery with Pippa the cat.
Dr Bianca Saunders from Wide Bay Vetinary Surgery with Pippa the cat.

As southerners and city dwellers flock to coastal Queensland and Insta-worthy house plants and gardens are all the rage, a vet in one of the biggest regional growth centres has issued a stark warning to pet owners.

Speaking to the Fraser Coast Chronicle while treating an indoor cat for plant poisoning, Dr Bianca Saunders from Wide Bay Vetinary Surgery in Hervey Bay, said people who were unfamiliar with tropical plants and the climate, needed to be more aware of the potential dangers lurking in their homes, yards and the local beach.

Henry the cocker spaniel venturing Urangan beach after recently relocating with his owner from Brisbane. Picture: Isabella Magee
Henry the cocker spaniel venturing Urangan beach after recently relocating with his owner from Brisbane. Picture: Isabella Magee

Despite having never been outside, Pippa the cat’s sneaky snack on a floral bouquet gifted to her owners, almost cost her life.

It included lilies which were particularly dangerous because they contained chemicals which cause renal shock.

“They are absorbed really quickly, all parts of the plants are toxic- the bulbs, the leaves, the petals, the stem, even the sap from the stems … it puts their body into shock and they aren’t able to excrete those chemicals and can cause a permanent kidney injury,” Dr Saunders explained.

After four days of hospitalisation, and fluids to flush her kidneys, Pippa was on the mend but Dr Saunders said many didn’t realise just how many common plants were toxic to dogs and cats.

“A lot of house plants especially in tropical Queensland are nasty – cychads, bromeliads, anything like that … azaleas, camellias, all sorts of alocasias … they can be toxic as well, elephant ears … monsteras aren’t great and they are particularly popular decorator plants these days, everyone loves those.”

House plants like Peace Lilies and Monstera can be toxic to pets.
House plants like Peace Lilies and Monstera can be toxic to pets.

“Dogs tend to be more indiscriminate eaters than cats so they tend to be more at risk, with cats it’s usually younger cats and when we see that a young cat is prone to eating silly things, we know to be extra vigilant.

At the first sign of problem plant chewing, Dr Saunders encouraged pet owners to “get it out of them as soon as you can”, take the cat or dog to a vet so staff can help make them vomit, give them activated charcoal, do baseline blood work and go from there.

Along with plants, parasites, particularly paralysis ticks, were also prevalent in Queensland and Dr Saunders said regularly checking a pet’s coat, combing them and keeping up to date with tick and flea treatments provided the best protection.

She said vets in regions like the Fraser Coast also had to deal with grass allergies and heartworm which was transmitted by mosquitoes.

And while beach walks were often the biggest draw cards to coastal towns, extra care needed to be taken on those too.

“Dogs that aren’t used to going to the beach and have moved from cities, may not be wary of jelly fish, toad fish, stone fish … we even had a couple of dogs stung by sting rays recently.

“You also need to watch for fishing lines and sea snakes.’

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/fraser-coast/warning-as-population-boom-plant-craze-puts-pets-at-risk/news-story/85edf37cdc6865555145ea317f0e0934