Houseplants are popular in many homes that also have pets. The plants add a touch of nature, clean the air, and look pretty. Pet parents who have dogs know that their canine companions sometimes try to eat houseplants out of curiosity. But what happens if a eats an arboricola?
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Has your dog eaten aboricola? Are you worried that the arboricola will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something like this.
We’ve gathered information about aboricola and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is an Arboricola?
The Arboricola is only part of the plant’s name. The full name of this plant is the Schefflera arboricola. This plant is also called the dwarf umbrella plant and belongs to a family of plants in the Araliaceae family, which come from Taiwan and Hainan. You may also hear this plant called one of the following names:
- Hawaiian dwarf umbrella tree
- Dwarf Hawaiian Schefflera
- Australian ivy palm
- Dwarf arboricola plant
- Umbrella bush
- Octopus tree
- Parasol plant
- Starleaf
These plants have five to 12 glossy green leaves that grow from a long stalk. The plants are fast-growing when outside, but they grow slower indoors. During the summer, the plants may also put out tight bunches of small flowers.
While these plants are pretty, what happens if a dog eats an arboricola? Can the arboricola make a dog sick?
Arboricola Plants & Dogs
Unfortunately, all parts of the plant are toxic to dogs. The problem is that the arboricola contains calcium oxalate crystals that are insoluble. The crystals can cause pain and irritation in the mouth. They can also cause GI problems if the crystals are chewed or swallowed.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Arboricola Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten arboricola:
- Diarrhea
- Dilated pupils
- Difficulty swallowing
- Excessive drooling
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Hoarse barking
- Labored breathing
- Loss of appetite
- Airway obstruction
- Pawing or rubbing at the face or mouth
- Swelling of the lips and tongue
- Vomiting
If you notice these symptoms in your dog, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
Treatment of Arboricola Ingestion in Dogs
The vet may start by treating your dog with IV fluids to prevent dehydration and balance blood chemistry. They may also give your fur baby antihistamines, along with medications to protect his stomach and digestive tract.
If your dog is having breathing difficulties, the vet will also give him supplemental oxygen until airway swelling is gone.
In dogs that have eaten a large amount of the plant, it’s possible the oxalates may cause kidney or living issues. In that case, your canine companion may need to be hospitalized until he’s in stable condition.
The prognosis is best for dogs who receive prompt medical treatment after eating the arboricola plant. In the future, it’s best to keep the arboricola and other plants out of your dog’s reach. You’ll both be happier for it!
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Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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