Message:
Subject: Re: WARNING POISON - Yes and No
Posted by DanRN on November 29, 1998 at 18:21:46:
In Reply to: WARNING POISON posted by Betsycc on November 28, 1998 at 14:00:14:
Thanks for an excellent reminder about dangers to our animals we can find in our homes. I'd like to point out, however, that the Poinsettia probably shouldn't be on the list.
Poinsettia toxicity is probably the most persistent urban legend that ever was. Fact is, the Poinsettia is about as safe as it gets for non-food plants. The sap may be irritating to eyes and mouth in some species, but rats can eat loads of Poinsettia without even noticing. Not that I'd be grinding them up for my gliders, but I wouldn't panic if one munches down a leaf or two on accident.
A good review of Poinsettia toxicity in animals is at the Canadian Poisonous Plant Information System at:
http://res.agr.ca/brd/poisonpl/title.html
Just follow the links down to Poinsettia.
Another good site for poisonous plant information that's specific to animals is the Cornell University Poisonous Plants web page at:
http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/plants.html
This site also has several links to other great pages about poisonous plants in veterinary medicine.
Other good sites are:
http://www.vet.purdue.edu/depts/addl/toxic/cover1.htm
http://www.library.uiuc.edu/vex/vetdocs/toxic.htm
Finally, a good description of the "Poinsettia Myth" is at:
http://www.rabbit.org/care/poinsettia.html
Thanks again for the reminder about plants and good luck with your gliders.
Dan Rohwer-Nutter