Help! My dog munched on a plant - is it toxic?

Question

My basset hound (which pretty much eats everything anyway and never bother her) over a week ago devoured a plant over at my friend's house. We didn't realize it until days later when she found the almost entirely empty pot! It was a Magenta Dracaena plant. I have no idea what type that is, I'm not a plant person. She was moping around all last week and slowly got back to her self but then yesterday got really mopy again and this morning was acting very weird. Was standing in the corner, almost like she was going to throw up. I am waiting to hear from the vet but does anyone know about this plant and/or if it is toxic for pets? Should I be worried? She is drinking water and eating dry food still. Nothing ever takes her appetite away. Any help would be great!

Thanks for all of your answers! Bad news was the plant was toxic, good is her stool sample came back normal. Still waiting for her blood results. Keep your fingers crossed. Thanks again for your feedback!!! It's nice to know that people out there jump on these things and give their input! Have a great day!

Answer 1

Well, seeing as its been over a week since it happend and the dog is still alive, I'm guessing she will be ok. Usually poisonings take effect the same day or day after. However, because of her behavior, you should still be concerned. Take her to a vet to make sure. In the meantime, look at the links below for a full list. I saw "Gold Dust Dracaena" on several lists, but not Magenta. You still will want to get her checked out. Good luck.

Answer 2

I wouldn't worry to much about the plant as I had a cat once that ate the same kind and it didn't bother him at all. She may have been feeling ill already as whenever my dog feels that way, she will eat grass so she can vomit. I might check your dog food brand though..there are several that have been re-called..including some dry foods....If you're not sure if it is on the list, you should call the store where you bought it.

Answer 3

Your plant is called Dracaena marginata Magenta. I searched for toxicity online but couldn't find any references...doesn't mean it's not but at least you know the scientific name to use for reference when getting information on it. You may also want to call a local plant nursery and see if they can tell you.

I hope all is well.

Answer 4

Call your state Poison Control Center! The number should be with the other emergency numbers in the front of your phone book. They should be able to help. I think if I had called my vet about a suspected pet poisoning and they didn't return the call quickly -I'd go looking for another vet!

Answer 5

Dracaena Marginata Cats

Answer 6

I would be doubtful that would be making her sick now if she ate the plant over a week ago. Have you checked the recall list for the contaminated pet food? It could be that, but if she is at the vet's office now, she's in the best place she could be and you did the right thing! She will be fine. : )

Answer 7

Quick glance I don't see Dracena in either of these two sites, but that doesn't mean your doggie isn't in distress. She could have a bowel obstruction. I'd get her to the vet ASAP and get an Xray. If she had had bloat after eating the plant, she'd be dead by now, bowel obstructions take longer. I'm shocked her vet hasn't said, "Get her in here NOW!!!" She could still be bloating......get her in now!

http://www.cybercanine.com/toxicplants.htm

http://www.vet.purdue.edu/depts/addl/toxic/bytox1.htm

Answer 8

I am not sure about that particular plant, but I know that whenever my dog just eats yard grass she does the same thing. I would guess that she's ok... but you can never be too safe, if you can afford it, take her to a vet just to make sure.

Answer 9

You should verify this with your vet, but if it's been a week, then I doubt there's any harm done to the dog or it would have surfaced within hours of the ingestion.

Answer 10

Bring him to a vet to have checked out...I almost sure that it isn't toxic.