Emergency — phone the vet now
Within hours
Dog poisoning from foxglove or other garden plants
Phone the vet or Animal PoisonLine if your dog has eaten foxglove, yew, lily of the valley, daffodil bulbs, oleander, rhododendron, azalea, or other suspected toxic plants.
Recognise the signs
- Vomiting, drooling
- Lethargy, weakness
- Fast or slow heart rate
- Collapse, seizures (severe cases)
- Often delayed onset
First aid steps
- Phone Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) and the vet immediately.
- Identify the plant if at all possible — bring a sample.
- Note approximate amount and time.
Do NOT
- Do not induce vomiting at home unless told to.
- Do not assume small amounts are safe — yew especially is potently toxic.
While transporting to the vet
- Bring a plant sample.
- Phone ahead.
When to phone the vet immediately
- Any cardiac plant ingestion (foxglove, yew, lily of the valley, oleander)
- Vomiting, weakness, collapse
- Suspected ingestion regardless of symptoms
Common causes
- Foxglove (digitalis — heart effects)
- Yew (cardiac arrhythmia, often fatal)
- Lily of the valley (heart effects)
- Daffodil bulbs
- Oleander
- Rhododendron and azalea (vomiting, drooling)
- Cyclamen
- Acorns and conkers (different toxicity)
- Many others — see Animal PoisonLine
What the vet will need to know
- Plant identification
- Amount eaten
- Time of ingestion
- Dog's weight
Aftercare
- Decontamination if early.
- Cardiac monitoring for cardiac plants.
- Supportive care.
- Identify and remove plants from the garden.
Prevention
- Garden audit — remove or fence off toxic plants in dog gardens.
- Be especially vigilant with foxglove, yew, lily of the valley.
- On walks, keep dogs from chewing unfamiliar plants.
Frequently asked questions
Is yew really fatal?
Yes — yew is one of the most acutely toxic UK plants for dogs. Even small amounts can cause sudden cardiac arrest. Treat any ingestion as emergency.
What about acorns and conkers?
Both can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and obstruction. Conkers also have specific toxicity. Phone the vet.
How do I make my garden dog-safe?
Audit using pet poison plant lists from Blue Cross or Animal PoisonLine; remove or fence off any toxic plants.