Plant Poisons in the Yard: Beware of the Castor Bean!

I spent the week-end introducing my dog, Taco Belle, to my sister Rosie’s new dog, Hallie. As an only dog, Taco Belle was very disappointed to be asked to share the great, fenced back yard with her new “cousin,” Hallie. After the initial “meet and greet” and neighborhood walk, the relationship is still in a stalemate.

Part of the visit was to puppy proof the yard and review landscaping plants for toxicity. To my sister’s disappointment, it is not just the plants but also the rugs, mulch, and pots among other things can be potential objects chewed leading to intestinal upset.

There is no way to 100% prevent accidental ingestions in puppies. The focus should be directed to ways to enrich the environment with activity, brain games, and interactions with 100+ people and pets (well-vaccinated, of course) by 5 months of age. Bored, isolated, young dogs are more likely to get into trouble. My sister has elected for the moment to split time between doggie daycare, neighborhood dog sitters, and lunch time at home with Hallie. In looking to re-stock her flower beds, we went to the local garden center to look at ornamental plants for sale. One that caught my attention was the Castor Bean Plant.

What is the issue with having Castor bean plant in the backyard garden?

Although valued for their colorful nature and ornamental beans, the plant contain ricin, one of the deadliest toxins known to man. The dried beans are often incorporated in decorative bead necklaces from places such as Mexico. There is some toxin in the leaves of the Castor bean plant. Other names for castor bean plants are Mole Bean Tree, Wonder Tree, African Coffee Tree, Mexican Weed, and Palma Christi; the seeds are sometimes called dog tick seeds.

What are the signs of toxicity?

Although signs may be delayed for 6 hours, the ricin released when the bean is chewed causes oral irritation, burning of the mouth, and increase in thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure and convulsions. The poison is inactivated by heat and age, so often the beans in jewelry will be less potent. In addition, if the bean is not chewed (hull needs to be cracked), the toxic effects are lessened. The prognosis is guarded if signs have already developed. There is no antidote for ricin poisoning; treatment is supportive. In dogs, as few as 1 bean ingested and chewed can be fatal. I seem to remember ricin in the news in the subways of Japan. 

Is it more deadly inhaled? Are there any other more recent murder plots in the news?

Yes. It is much more toxic parentally (inhaled) rather than orally. Recently a man in Oklahoma in April of this year was arrested for plotting to kill his pregnant girlfriend with a pizza laced with ricin. Luckily, the plan was not completed. In addition, ricin is significantly inactivated by heat or cooking. The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) has classified the viruses, bacteria, and toxins that would most likely be used in a biological attack as Category A (severe risk) and Category B (low mortality rate and relatively easy to disseminate). Ricin is a category B classification that supposedly Saddam Hussein had stockpiled (among others) as a biological weapon. 

What should you do if you think your pet has ingested a poisonous plant? 

There are many toxic plants in residential landscapes. Some are fatal and others are intestinal irritants or neurological toxins. Because dogs’ indiscriminately eat and chew on things, they are much more likely to be poisoned than cats. Report to the veterinary team the approximate time frame of ingestion, as many medications will not be effective after one hour. If suspected in this time frame, call Creature Comforts Animal Hospital to find out if it is okay to induce vomiting. If it is okay, and if your pet is conscious and alert, follow these directions:

1. Give about one tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 15 pounds of body weight. 

2. Repeat once in 10 minutes if the pet doesn’t throw up. 

3. Identify the plant, or take it to your vet if possible (iPhone photo as well). 

4. Monitor your pet for any change in behavior.

5. Take the pet to Creature Comforts or your closest vet. If after hours, call your local emergency veterinarian. Once at the clinic, medications that reliably induce vomiting in five minutes will be implemented. For lots of good information on poison plants, see the ASCPA website, http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/

Please feel free or submit topics for future blogs. In addition, I would love to post your submitted pictures for pet of the week. This week we salute Henry Wolf, a Great Dane. Congratulations to the Creature Comforts little league team! Champions for Town of Cary 2014 in their age group. Great teamwork, guys!!!

Betsy Sigmon