Rhododendron

What is rhododendron?

Rhododendron belongs to the heather family and comprises more than 1000 species that can be found in different regions of the world. Most varieties bloom in spring, some also in summer or fall. Rhododendron is also known as the alpine rose and is particularly common in mountainous regions.

Why is rhododendron poisonous to dogs?

Rhododendron contains various toxins, which are mainly concentrated in the leaves and flowers. The most important are diterpenes, which belong to the grayanotoxins. These have an effect on the central nervous system, the gastrointestinal tract, the heart and the lungs of dogs. They can disrupt nerve and muscle conduction and lead to cramps, paralysis or cardiac arrhythmia.

The poisonous effect of Rhododendron depends on the amount of plant parts ingested, the size and the state of health of the dog. Even a single leaf can be enough to trigger symptoms in a small dog. Rhododendron honey can also be poisonous.

What are the symptoms of rhododendron poisoning in dogs?

The first signs of rhododendron poisoning usually appear within a few hours of ingestion. They can be as follows:

• Burning in the mouth
• Heavy salivation
• Weakness
• apathy
• Nausea
• vomiting
• Stomach pain
• diarrhea
• Palpitations or slowed heartbeat
• muscle cramps
• fever
• Accelerated breathing
• Movement disorders
• collapse
• coma

In severe cases, death may occur due to seizures or pneumonia.

What to do if your dog has eaten rhododendron?

If you suspect that your dog has eaten rhododendron or is showing typical symptoms, you should consult a vet immediately. Rhododendron poisoning is an emergency that requires quick action.

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:

• Activated charcoal: The administration of activated charcoal binds the poison in the stomach and prevents it from entering the bloodstream. If possible, this should be done within two hours of ingestion.
• Laxatives: The administration of laxatives accelerates the elimination of the poison via the intestine.
• Vomiting: The vet may also induce vomiting to remove the poison from the stomach.
• Medication: The vet may also administer medications to stabilize your dog's heart function, breathing, or seizures.

To help the vet, you should tell them as much as possible about what your dog has eaten or where he has been. If you can, bring him a piece of the plant or a sample of the vomit.

How can you prevent rhododendron poisoning?

The best prevention is to keep your dog away from rhododendrons. If you have rhododendrons in your garden, you should remove them or at least secure them so that your dog can't get to them. Also make sure that your dog does not eat any bark mulch that may contain parts of rhododendrons.

When you take your dog for a walk, keep a close eye on it and prevent it from nibbling on foreign plants. If you're not sure whether a plant is poisonous or not, don't let your dog sniff or lick it.