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Dieffenbachia
dumb cane
A professional reference for veterinary specialists. It does not replace clinical judgement.
Species and toxic dose
| Species | Risk | Toxic dose |
|---|---|---|
| Dog | Toxic | Not established in the open sources |
| Cat | Especially sensitive | Not established in the open sources |
Toxic principle
Insoluble calcium oxalate needles (raphides) and a protein-digesting enzyme injure the mucosa on chewing.
Onset
On chewing.
Clinical signs
Intense oral burning, drooling, pawing at the mouth, swelling of the lips, tongue and pharynx, difficulty swallowing, vomiting. Eye contact causes keratoconjunctivitis; severe swelling can obstruct the airway.
Organs affected
Mouth, pharynx and digestive mucosa; eyes; upper airway.
Treatment principle (for veterinarians)
Rinse the mouth with cold water, milk if swallowing is normal, watch the airway; injectable corticosteroid for throat swelling, intubation or tracheotomy if needed; saline irrigation for the eyes. No antidote.
A summary of the principles in the sources, not a protocol: doses and the plan are the treating veterinarian's decision.
Sources
- Reference book. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and non-toxic plants: dieffenbachia. aspca.org
- Scientific article. Bertero A, Fossati P, Caloni F. Indoor companion animal poisoning by plants in Europe. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7:487 2020
- Scientific article. Siroka Z. Toxicity of house plants to pet animals. Toxins 15(5):346 2023
Professional reference for veterinary professionals. Not advertising and not a substitute for the product label/SPC.
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