Foxglove is a beautiful flower that can often be found growing in home gardens. With its trumpet-shaped blossoms in shades of purple, pink, yellow, and white, it’s easy to see why this flower is so popular. However, behind its beauty lies a dangerous secret – foxglove is highly toxic to dogs and ingesting even small amounts can be fatal. So how much foxglove does it take to kill a dog? Let’s take a closer look at this poisonous plant and the threat it poses.
An Overview of Foxglove Toxicity
The entire foxglove plant is toxic including the leaves, flowers, stems and seeds. The toxic compounds are known as cardiac glycosides which affect the heart. The most well-known of these is digoxin which is actually used in medicine to treat some heart conditions. However, in a healthy dog, these compounds Throw the heart out of rhythm and cause serious cardiac issues.
Even small ingestions can be dangerous. According to veterinarians on Reddit, as little as one leaf can affect a small dog’s heart, while two to three leaves may poison a large dog. The ASPCA lists the toxic dose as 2 to 3 grams of dried plant per pound of the dog’s weight. However, reactions can vary dramatically between dogs. Some may show symptoms from tiny amounts, while others have survives swallowing an entire plant.
So exactly how much foxglove is deadly depends on the individual dog. However, it’s clear that even small ingestions have the potential to kill.
What Are the Symptoms of Foxglove Poisoning?
The symptoms of foxglove poisoning can develop rapidly, sometimes within an hour of ingestion. They may include
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness
- Drooling
- Dilated pupils
- Low heart rate
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Collapse
- Seizures
- Coma
- Death
Any dog suspected of eating foxglove should be rushed to the vet immediately. The longer treatment is delayed, the poorer the prognosis.
Diagnosing Foxglove Poisoning in Dogs
Veterinarians use several methods to diagnose foxglove poisoning:
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Medical history – Important details include when and how much foxglove was ingested. Bringing a sample of the plant helps identify the toxin.
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Physical exam – The vet checks for low heart rate, irregular rhythms, low blood pressure and other signs of cardiac issues.
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Blood and urine tests – These help assess organ damage and electrolyte imbalances.
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ECG – This records the electrical activity of the heart to detect abnormal rhythms.
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Cardiac ultrasound – Soundwaves create images of the heart to reveal any structural abnormalities.
Treating Dogs Poisoned by Foxglove
There is no antidote for foxglove, so treatment focuses on managing symptoms and stabilizing the dog. Steps may include:
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Inducing vomiting if ingestion was recent
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Activated charcoal to prevent toxin absorption
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Intravenous fluids to correct dehydration
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Medications to control vomiting, abnormal heart rhythms and seizures
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Oxygen therapy
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Monitoring of blood pressure and cardiac rhythms
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Other supportive care as needed
The prognosis depends on how quickly treatment begins and the amount ingested. With aggressive therapy, many dogs recover fully even from significant ingestions. However, in severe cases heart and kidney damage can be irreversible.
Preventing Foxglove Poisoning in Dogs
The safest approach is to avoid growing foxglove if you have dogs. However, if you decide to keep it in your garden, some precautions include:
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Planting in an area dogs can’t access
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Removing and destroying dead leaves/plants
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Fencing off foxglove beds
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Opting for less toxic foxglove varieties
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Training dogs to avoid the plant
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Picking flowers rather than pulling up roots
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Wearing gloves when handling foxglove
It only takes a small amount of foxglove to seriously harm a dog. Being aware of this plant’s toxicity and preventing access are key to keeping your dog safe. When in doubt, stick to planting pet-friendly flowers and herbs in your garden. Your dog’s health and safety should always come first.
Diagnosis of Foxglove Poisoning in Dogs
When you take your dog to the clinic, the veterinarian will start with a physical examination. This will give the doctor an idea of what vitals are abnormal and by how much. Blood work will be run to see how your dog is doing internally. It will start with a full blood count (CBC), a chemistry panel, and a packed cell volume (PCV) to get a general idea of what’s going on. A urinalysis will also be performed to check your dog’s kidney function. For example, if your dog has heart problems, he will be put on monitoring equipment and may also get extra tests like an ECG or ultrasound. If more tests are needed to find out how bad the foxglove poisoning is, they will be ordered from there. Take this plant with you to the vet if you think your dog has been exposed to it so the staff can see what they are dealing with. Tell us the time the dog ate the food if you know it, or write down the time it started acting strangely.
Treatment of Foxglove Poisoning in Dogs
Depending on the symptoms your dog is showing, treatment will be decided from there. There is no antidote for foxglove poisoning; supportive therapy will be the course of treatment. Activated charcoal may be administered to absorb the toxin instead of it being absorbed into the bloodstream. Your dog will be started on intravenous fluids to correct any electrolyte imbalances and dehydration. The veterinarian may give your dog more medicines. If it is throwing up uncontrollably, an antiemetic will be given. If your dog is seizing, anti-seizure drugs will be administered. The results of the blood tests will tell the vet what is going on with your dog’s organs and how it is breaking down the poison. With this information, the doctor will be able to administer medications as required.
Foxglove Poisoning in Dogs
FAQ
What should I do if my dog eats foxglove?
How much foxglove is fatal?
How toxic is foxglove to pets?
Will animals eat foxgloves?
Can foxglove kill a dog?
The amount of foxglove that can be fatal to a dog varies depending on the size of the dog and the concentration of the toxin in the plant. As a general rule, even a small amount of foxglove can cause serious harm to your dog. According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, ingestion of just a few leaves or flowers can cause toxicity in dogs.
Are Foxglove plants poisonous to dogs?
Foxglove: All parts of these tall beautiful flowers, from the seeds to the petals, are extremely toxic to dogs. Ingestion can cause cardiac failure and even death. Geranium: All varieties of this common container plant are poisonous to dogs. The symptoms include lethargy, low blood pressure, skin rashes, and loss of appetite.
Can dogs recover from foxglove poisoning?
Monitoring important signs and electrolyte levels is crucial for the dog’s recovery. For dogs affected by foxglove poisoning, prompt veterinary intervention is essential to ensure effective treatment and recovery. When dealing with toxic plants like foxglove, time is of the essence.
What are the symptoms of foxglove poisoning in dogs?
The symptoms of foxglove poisoning in dogs may include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, weakness, and lethargy. In severe cases, foxglove poisoning can lead to seizures, coma, and death.