2006-12-06 11:07:44 · 11 answers · asked by Robin H 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Summary of eRumor:
It's common around Christmas time for people to warn one another about the alleged toxicity of poinsettias.
The Truth:
This is one of those beliefs that is so widespread that a survey of florists found that most of them believed it to be true. That's because it has been the conventional understanding about poinsettias for many years.
The consensus of government agencies, health centers, veterinary groups, and plant and flower organizations that we've surveyed, however, is that poinsettias are not toxic and do not pose a health threat to children or pets.
The belief in poinsettia poison appears to extend back to 1919 when the two-year-old child of a U.S. Army officer died. It was believed that the death was caused by the child ingesting poinsettia leaves. The American Society of Florists has looked into the matter extensively and says there was never any proof that poinsettia leaves were responsible for the child's death and the report was later determined to be hearsay.
The America Society of Florists joined with researchers at Ohio State University to test various parts of the poinsettia plant on rats. Their conclusion was that there was no toxicity or any other side effects even when the rats were given large doses.
POISENDEX is the source of poison information for the majority of poison control centers. It says that a 50-pound child would have to eat more than a pound-and-a-quarter of poinsettia leaves to exceed the doses used in the Ohio State research, which would be 500 to 600 leaves.
The American Society of Florists says no other consumer plant has been tested for toxicity more than the poinsettia.
The ASPCA Animal Poison Center in Urbana, Illinois says it regards poinsettias as having such low toxicity risk that it doesn't even recommend decontaminating animals that may have ingested them. The center says that there can sometimes be gastrointestinal distress from having ingested something alien to the digestive system.
The American Veterinary Medicine Association of America (AVMA), doesn't include poinsettias on its list of plants that are a threat to animals.
Because of the belief that poinsettias are toxic, there are numerous visits to hospitals each year by concerned parents or pet owners whose children or pet have ingested or in some other way been exposed to poinsettias.
A study released in 2000 by Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University found that out of nearly 23,000 poinsettia exposures reported to poison control centers nationwide, there was essentially no toxicity of significance of any kind.
Paraphrased from truthorfiction.com
We had a personal experience with a dog eating a huge poinsettia. Well it was enormous when we left the house and was merely a stick when we returned. She had devoured it. She had the trots the next day but that was it.
2006-12-06 12:49:16 · answer #1 · answered by smartgrrlz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contrary to popular belief, Poinsetta's are NOT poisonous or toxic. This is just a very common myth that refuses to go away. These plants can, however, effect the gastrointestinal tract (cause an upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea).
The American Veterinary Medicine Association of America (AVMA), doesn't include poinsettias on its list of plants that are a threat to animals. And YET people still find this hard to believe. Visit these links if you are one of those people!
2006-12-06 11:14:57 · answer #2 · answered by Lexi P 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the only toxic issues in the united kingdom are some toadstools and mushrooms and clearly some flowers like deadly nightshade and Rhubarb leaves, there are no longer any toxic animals in any respect, Adders and Jellyfish are no longer toxic, they are Venomous, you're able to desire to devour or drink a poison yet venom must be injected by employing a chew or a sting.
2016-12-18 08:51:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poinsettia ingestions typically produce only mild to moderate gastrointestinal tract irritation, which may include drooling, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Therefore, while keeping this plant out of the reach of your pet to avoid stomach upset is still a good idea, pet owners need not fear the poinsettia and banish it from their homes for fear of a fatal exposure.
Check out this site www.aspca.org
2006-12-06 11:12:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Definitely! They are poisonus period to all animals and humans.
The sap is extremnely toxic and should not be allowed to come in contact with the skin eyes or mouth. Blindness can occur if the sap gets into the eye.
Nice looking plant but deadly
2006-12-06 11:12:53 · answer #5 · answered by Shelty K 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. They are poisous. Well at least to horses that I know of.
2006-12-06 15:30:39 · answer #6 · answered by horseandgirl2002 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO, no, no - urban myth (and you are about the gazillionth person to ask this lately on here - sorry, no prize for that, though). http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/p/poinsettias.htm
2006-12-06 11:45:34 · answer #7 · answered by mustanglynnie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they are. Especially to cats.
2006-12-06 11:09:02 · answer #8 · answered by lunar_flame 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've always heard that they are. I forgot the reason why tho.
2006-12-06 11:12:03 · answer #9 · answered by tikizgirl 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes mostly kitty cats
2006-12-06 11:10:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋