Queensland News - Australian Veterinary Association

AVA Queensland News - August 2009Common Household & Garden Plants & Fungi Poisonous to Pets inQueenslandDr Ross A. McKenzie PSM DVScSpecialist in Veterinary Pathobiologyyapunyah.house@bigpond.comBackgroundQueensland Health was concerned about the labeling of potentially harmful plants sold in nurseries. A broadbasedcommittee was formed to assess the issue – with a particular focus on child health. Among other things,veterinary practices were surveyed to answer the question “How much plant poisoning actually happens inQueensland pet animals?”Outcome: Self-regulation by Australian nursery industry; labeling guidelines issued to members. Available athttp://www.ngia.com.au/AcknowledgementsAdvice on selecting surveyed practices: Aaron Palmer, Judy Seton.Data from responding practices: Jocelyn Birch Baker, Mary Calder, Shannon Coyne, Adrienne Easton, PeterGardiner, Tom Gradwell, Carmel Griffen, Amy Hehir, Tracy Holland, Melanie Irvine, Isobel Johnstone, Terri King,Terry King, Graham Lauridsen, Peter Lyons, Lisa Mason, Greg Muir, Dick Murray, Peter Noble, Rowan Pert,Paul Sheedy, Caroline Spelta, Angela Steenholdt, Philip Thomas, Mary Thompson, Rob van Drimmelen, KurtVerkest, Laurie Wanstall.Pet animal background dataPet population, Queensland (calculated from ABS 1995, 2001 data)Dogs = 0.5 millionCats = 0.4 millionPet birds = 0.2 millionHuman population calculated as 4 million.Pet Plant PoisoningsFifty-three major veterinary practices were contacted in major cities/towns in Queensland in 2007 for plantpoisoning of pets in the five years 2002-2006. Of these 25 (47%) responded.Patient visits data: dogs: 500,000 = 100,000/yr, cats: 175,000 = 35,000/yr, birds: 24,000 = 5,000/yr.Pet plant poisonings diagnosed: Dogs: 289 cases = 58/yr = 0.06% of patient visits. Birds: 7 cases = 1/yr =0.03% of patient visits. Cats: 19 cases = 4/yr = 0.01% of patient visits.Plant Poisonings Of DogsLife-threatening poisonings (descending order of occurrence):Brunfelsia spp. (francisia, yesterday-today-and-tomorrow) fruits [36 cases]Onions (Allium cepa) [34]Cycad seeds (Cycas revoluta) [28]Duranta erecta (golden dewdrop, cv. Sheena’s Gold, cv. Geisha Girl, cv. Alba) [12]Cardiac glycoside-containers (oleanders etc.) [8]Grapes/raisins (Vitis vinifera) [3 cases]Lilium spp. (lilies) [3]Cyanobacteria [2]Tobacco (Nicotiana tabaccum) [2]Stinkhorn fungi (Order Phallales) [2]Avocado (Persea americana) [1]Rhododendron [1]Melia azedarach (white cedar) fruit [1]7