When it comes to our beloved pets, their safety and well-being are paramount. We go to great lengths to ensure that they are protected from harm, but sometimes, unexpected dangers can lurk in our own backyards. Today, I want to share a personal story that highlights the critical importance of identifying plants, weeds, berries and other items in our backyards and the profound impact it can have on the health of our four-legged friends.
Our Story
Since we have been cooking and baking more for our dogs over the past year, serving them home-cooked meals and home-baked treats and cookies, we decided to try to grow a small container garden this year to help with the rising food costs. We had tried a small garden once years and years ago, but neither of us truly enjoys gardening and it quickly turned to weeds. We thought that doing a number of pots would be easier to maintain and water, especially with our bad backs.
We got a bunch of pots and some soil and set to work, planting a bunch of hot peppers and tomatoes for us, and squash, pumpkin, brussel sprouts, sweet peppers, herbs, beets and a few other items for us and for the dogs. Some of it has grown wonderfully, while other plants have failed miserably, but we’re very happy with how it has turned out for our first attempt!
We have been very good about keeping the plants watered and maintained, but have not been so good about weeding. We had a few weeds growing that we had no idea what they were and didn’t bother to look them up or rip them out. When we finally ripped them out last weekend, my husband put them in a bucket on the deck with the intent of putting them in a yard waste bag closer to our town’s pick-up day. That evening, as we sat outside, I noticed Sienna (our lab mix) with her head in the bucket. I called her name to distract her, and my husband saw a berry drop from her mouth.
Oh no, I thought. She had eaten the unknown berries we had picked out of the pots that were on top of the table all summer. The problem is, we didn’t plant any berries. These were weeds, or something unknown, and could be poison. We have been trying to get our dogs to eat some raw veggies over the last little while and Sienna was taking to it well. She had started showing a lot of interest in the tomatoes growing in the garden and had even picked herself a ripe one or two already. She must have figured out that berries are food too.
It shouldn’t have come as a surprise that she helped herself to the very ripe, tiny black berries that she found in the bucket. Now we had a problem. We didn’t know what the berries were. They grew in little clusters, they had big leaves and had started out as green before turning black. They were pretty small, but we had no idea how many she had eaten. I spent a few minutes on Google trying to identify what they could be, but my husband didn’t seem panicked.
He went to go get in the shower, and I called my Mom. Coincidently, she had been at our house the other day and had taken a quick look at our garden and asked us what the berries were. Together we spent about 20 more minutes looking up plants and berries found in our region to determine what they could be. We finally came up with the likely answer: black nightshade berries.
After finding this out, and also reading the advice on several blogs and websites, I rushed Sienna to the local emergency vet at 10pm on a Sunday night. We’re very lucky that we have a 24 hour vet about 5 minutes away, and they had given Sienna the medication to induce vomiting within an hour of her ingesting the berries. The vet also had me call the ASPCA’s Poison Control hotline, who had me forward pictures of the plant and berries. They confirmed what we had suspected: Sienna had eaten a number of nightshade berries.
The vet held onto Sienna for just over 3 hours to monitor her and make sure she was no longer vomiting. Once they were certain her stomach was empty, they gave her an anti-nausea injection and gave me the option of her staying overnight with them, or coming home with me for monitoring. They warned me that I would not be allowed to sleep – someone needed to keep an eye on her for the next 24 hours to watch for additional symptoms. Of course, I took her home and stayed awake.
They also warned me of what signs I could expect to see, such as diarrhea and lethargy, and also warned me to come back if Sienna started vomiting, had hind end weakness or any signs of cardiovascular symptoms or anything else unusual. Luckily, Sienna was a bit tired the next day but that was the only symptom she exhibited.
What Are Black Nightshade Berries?
Black nightshade berries, scientifically known as Solanum nigrum, are a common plant found in many regions around the world. These berries are known for their small, round, and shiny appearance, often ripening to a deep black or purple-black colour. While they may look innocuous, it’s crucial to recognize that they belong to the nightshade family, which includes several plants known for their toxicity. As per the ASPCA, these berries are toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
The Toxicity of Black Nightshade Berries
Black nightshade berries contain a chemical compound called solanine, which is toxic to both humans and animals. Ingesting even a small quantity of these berries can lead to a range of health issues, and dogs are particularly susceptible to their toxic effects.
When a dog consumes black nightshade berries, the solanine in the berries can disrupt the normal functioning of their nervous system, leading to symptoms such as:
- Gastrointestinal Distress: Dogs may experience vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
- Lethargy: Poisoning can cause weakness and reduced energy levels.
- Dilated Pupils: Solanine affects the eyes, often resulting in dilated pupils.
- Tremors: Dogs may exhibit tremors or muscle twitching.
- Seizures: In severe cases, ingestion of a significant quantity of black nightshade berries can trigger seizures.
It’s important to note that the severity of symptoms can vary depending on the amount ingested and the size and breed of the dog. In some cases, black nightshade poisoning can be life-threatening.
The Impact on Dogs
The impact of black nightshade berries on dogs can be distressing for both pets and their owners. The gastrointestinal symptoms can cause discomfort and distress to dogs, and in severe cases, the neurological effects can be alarming.
As a responsible pet owner, recognizing the potential danger of black nightshade berries is essential. Whether they grow in your garden or in the wild near your home, identifying and removing these toxic plants can significantly reduce the risk of poisoning for your canine companion.
Pet Safety Awareness
Our experience with Sienna compelled us to raise awareness about the dangers of poison berries for pets. We discovered that many pet owners were unaware of the risks associated with these common garden plants. Poison berries can cause a range of health issues in dogs, from gastrointestinal distress to organ damage, and in severe cases, they can be fatal.
By sharing our story and emphasizing the importance of identifying poison berries, we hope to spare other pets and their owners from similar ordeals. It is a responsibility that extends beyond our own garden – it is about creating a safer environment for all our furry companions.
Preventative Measures
Preventing poison berry exposure is paramount. Here are some tips to help protect your pets:
- Education: Familiarize yourself with toxic plants in your area, particularly poison berries.
- Garden Safety: Remove toxic plants from your garden and replace them with pet-friendly alternatives.
- Supervision: When your pet is outside, keep a watchful eye to prevent them from nibbling on plants.
- Training: Train your pet to avoid eating anything found outdoors.
- Consult a Vet: If you suspect poisoning, seek immediate veterinary care.
Seeking Professional Help
In Sienna’s case, we were fortunate to have acted swiftly and sought professional help. The prompt diagnosis and treatment by our veterinarian made all the difference in her recovery. If you suspect your pet has ingested poison berries or any toxic plant, do not hesitate to contact a veterinarian or local poison control.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our personal journey with identifying poison berries and its impact on Sienna’s health has been a powerful lesson. It underscores the vital importance of awareness, education, and vigilance when it comes to pet safety. We hope that by sharing our story, we can contribute to a safer environment for pets everywhere.
If you have your own experiences or tips to share regarding pet safety and plant identification, we invite you to share them in the comments below. Together, we can raise awareness and protect our furry family members from the hidden dangers that may lurk in our gardens.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story. We hope it serves as a reminder that even the most unexpected dangers can be averted with knowledge, diligence, and love for our pets. May your garden always be a safe haven for your beloved companions.
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[…] is a lesson we learned the hard way. I’ve written about it in detail in our post on A Personal Story: The Importance of Identifying Poison Berries, but we accidently let nightshade plants grow in our garden and our Lab mix, Sienna, ate a bunch of […]