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Belladonna

A representation of Belladonna

You may have heard of belladonna, a plant that grows in forests and on forest edges and bears black berries. But did you know how poisonous this plant is for dogs? In this article, you'll find out more about deadly nightshade, its effects on dogs and what you should do if your dog has eaten it.

What is deadly nightshade?

Belladonna (Atropa belladonna) is a perennial shrub from the nightshade family. It can grow up to two meters high and has egg-shaped leaves and bell-shaped flowers, which are brown-purple on the outside and yellow-green on the inside. The fruits of the deadly nightshade look like cherries, but are shiny black and hang individually from the stem.

Why is deadly nightshade poisonous to dogs?

Belladonna is very poisonous to dogs because it contains various alkaloids that affect the nervous system. The most important are hyoscyamine (atropine), scopolamine, apoatropine, belladonnine and scopoletin. These substances act as anticholinergics, i.e. they block the effect of acetylcholine, a messenger substance in the brain and body. This results in a range of symptoms that can vary depending on the dose and individual sensitivity.

What symptoms does a dog show with deadly nightshade poisoning?

Poisoning with deadly nightshade can cause the following symptoms in a dog:

  • restlessness
  • aggressiveness
  • thirst
  • difficulty swallowing
  • Dilated pupils and visual disturbances
  • palpitations
  • Difficulty breathing up to respiratory paralysis

Just a few berries can be fatal for a dog. The symptoms usually occur within 30 minutes to two hours after ingestion.

What should you do if your dog has eaten deadly nightshade?

If you suspect or observe that your dog has eaten deadly nightshade, you should contact a vet or animal emergency service immediately and take your dog there. Time can be the difference between life and death. It will help the vet a lot if you can tell them what your dog has eaten and how much of it. If possible, bring a piece of the plant or a sample of the vomit.

The vet will try to remove the poison from your dog's body and treat the symptoms of poisoning. They may take the following measures:

  • Giving activated charcoal to bind the poison in the stomach
  • Administering laxatives or inducing vomiting to remove the poison from the intestines
  • Giving infusions to compensate for the loss of fluids
  • Administration of medication for cramps, fever and heart problems
  • Administration of physostigmine, an antidote that neutralizes the effect of the anticholinergics

The prognosis depends on the severity of the poisoning and the speed of treatment. In some cases, permanent damage to the nervous system may occur.

How can you prevent deadly nightshade poisoning in your dog?

The best prevention is, of course, to prevent your dog from coming into contact with deadly nightshade in the first place. You should therefore follow these tips:

  • Learn to recognize deadly nightshade and avoid it when walking your dog
  • Keep your dog on a lead when you are out and about in areas where deadly nightshade may grow
  • Train your dog not to eat anything you don't give or allow him to eat
  • Remove all deadly nightshades from your garden or balcony if you have any
  • Do not keep any medicines or cosmetics containing belladonna within reach of your dog

Belladonna is a very poisonous plant for dogs, which can lead to severe symptoms of poisoning and even death. If your dog has eaten deadly nightshade, you must act quickly and seek veterinary advice. To avoid poisoning, you should recognize deadly nightshade and keep it away from your dog.

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If you notice any signs of hypersensitivity or poisoning in your dog, you should see your vet immediately. We are not a substitute for a vet, but we try to be as accurate as possible. Every dog reacts differently and we recommend you get a second opinion or consult your vet if in doubt.

Stay healthy and take good care of your four-legged friend!😊