Household Plants

Question 1

What plants contain oxalates and what is the toxic principle?

Answer 1

caladium, dumbcane, philodendron

calcium oxalate crystals +/- proteolytic enzymes

Question 2

What part of oxalate plants are toxic?

Answer 2

idioblastic cells

when bitten will explode and crystals go into mouth

Question 3

What is the MOA of calcium oxalate crystals in caladium, philodendron etc?

Answer 3

needle like Ca oxalate raphides + proteolytic enzymes

release inflammatory mediators

Question 4

what is the toxic level and where are the idoblastic cells located in caladium and philodendron?

Answer 4

mild toxicity

leaves or stems

Question 5

what are the clinical signs of calcium oxalate crystal toxicity?

Answer 5

salivation, head shaking, oral pain, swelling of oral mucosa, dyspnea
colic, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration
rare systemic effects

Question 6

What is the Dx of caladium and philodendron?

Answer 6

clinical signs

history

Question 7

What is the Tx for caladium and philodendron?

Answer 7

rinse mouth, oral calcium
antihistamines
S&S care
vomiting/diarrhea typically resolves in h to d

Question 8

What is the toxic principle in poinsettia and where is it found in the plant?

Answer 8

Diterpene ester

leaves and stems (milk)

Question 9

What is the MOA of Poinsettia (diterpene ester)?

Answer 9

Gi irritation

Question 10

What is the toxicity/conditions of Poinsettia (diterpene ester)?

Answer 10

mild
dogs,cats, birds that chew on leaves or stems
would have to eat alot

Question 11

What are the clinical signs of poinsettia?

Answer 11

rapid onset of oral irritation –> hypersalivation

vomiting diarrhea

Question 12

What is teh Dx of poinsettia?

Answer 12

clinical signs, history

Question 13

What is the Tx of poinsettia?

Answer 13

GI decontam
- GI protectant
- fluids if alot
AC, saline cathartic
S&S care

Question 14

what is the Px of poinsettia poisoning?

Answer 14

full recovery

usually a phone call

Question 15

What is the toxic principle of mistletoe?

Answer 15

phoratoxin (toxalbumin) - like ricin
viscumin (toxalbumin)
viscotoxin (peptide)

Question 16

What is the MOA of phoratoxin, viscumin and viscotoxin?

Answer 16

phoratoxin - inhibits protein synthesis
Viscumin - aggulitinates RBC
Viscotoxin - stimulates smooth and skeletal muscle directly

Question 17

What is the toxicity/conditions of mistletoe?

Answer 17

> = 3 berries may be lethal to dog
all species
used as abortifacient

Question 18

What are the clinical signs of mistletoe?

Answer 18

delayed several hours
initial: colic, vomiting, diarrhea, polyuria, hypothermia

mydriasis, delirium, ataxia, hyperesthesia, seizures
dyspnea, hypotention, bradycardia –> tachycardia –> CV collapse (death)
coma –> death

Question 19

What is the Dx of mistletoe?

Answer 19

clinical signs, history

Question 20

What is the Tx for mistletoe?

Answer 20

aggressive GI decontam
AC, saline cathartic
S&S

Question 21

what is the Px for mistletoe?

Answer 21

usually self limiting

good prog

Question 22

What is the toxic principle in autumn crocus? what part?

Answer 22

colchicine (alkaloid)

all parts, esp corm and seeds

Question 23

What is the MOA of autumn crocus (colchicine)?

Answer 23

binds to tubulin

• disrupts microtubule-dependent processes (spindle formation, intracellular transport)
• rapidly diving cells most sensitive

Question 24

What is the toxicity/conditions of autumn crocus?

Answer 24

leaves toxic to cattle
guinea pigs
seeds toxic to humans
all species 
toxins resistant to drying

Question 25

What are the clinical signs of autumn crocus?

Answer 25

initially
- inhibition of cell division in intestinal crypts (delayed 12-24h)

severe colic, vomiting, diarrhea +/- blood, depression
weakness, ataxia, multiple organ failure (liver and kidney), bone marrow depression
collapse, coma, death

Question 26

What is the Dx of autumn crocus?

Answer 26

clinical signs
history
clin path
- protein and blood in urine
creatinin and urea up
pathology

Question 27

what is the Tx for autumn crocus?

Answer 27

Gi decontam
AC, saline cathartic
S&S care

depends on how recent

• treat shock
• support blood pressure and circ

Question 28

Are tulips and daphyadils toxic?

Answer 28

potentially if eat bulbs

GI irritation