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Oleander (Nerium oleander)
Nerium oleander
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 | Toxic | Not established in the open sources |
Toxic principle
Cardiac glycosides (oleandrin and others) inhibit Na/K-ATPase. All parts are toxic, seeds and roots the most.
Onset
Can be delayed; digestive signs usually come before cardiac signs. In a reported cat, vomiting began about 12 hours after exposure.
Clinical signs
Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain; bradyarrhythmia, AV block, ventricular arrhythmias, hypotension. Hyperkalaemia is common.
Organs affected
Heart, digestive tract, central nervous system.
Treatment principle (for veterinarians)
Emesis or lavage, ideally within 1 hour; activated charcoal repeated because of enterohepatic recirculation. Fluids, electrolyte and ECG monitoring; atropine or antiarrhythmics guided by the ECG; calcium is contraindicated. Digoxin-specific antibody fragments reversed the arrhythmia in a reported cat (watch for hypokalaemia afterwards). Serum digoxin assays may miss oleander glycosides.
In the reference: Atropine
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: oleander. aspca.org
- Scientific article. Siroka Z. Toxicity of house plants to pet animals. Toxins 15(5):346 2023
- Scientific article. Galton AF, Granfone MC, Caldwell DJ. Digoxin-specific antibody fragments for suspected Nerium oleander toxicosis in a cat. JFMS Open Reports 6(2) 2020
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