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Do you like to keep cactus, such as the Euphorbia? If so, you’re not alone! Many pet parents keep this plant! If you have a dog, though, he may be very curious about this plant. He may even try to take a bite of the cactus! But what happens if your dog eats Euphorbia?
Has your dog eaten Euphorbia? Are you worried the Euphorbia 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 put together some information about Euphorbia and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started.
What is a Euphorbia?
The Euphorbia, also called the pencil cactus, is a succulent that’s native to semi-arid tropical climates. It can grow quite large in the wild. However, the plants are also kept as houseplants.
The mature cactus has thick, brown branches with clusters of small green branches near the ends. The branches have a cylinder shape and are about the thickness of a pencil. The branches also have oval leaves that grow to about an inch long. The plant also produces flowers in the late spring or early summer.
While the plant can be pretty and exotic as houseplants, what happens if a dog eats some Euphorbia?
Euphorbia & Dogs
Unfortunately, Euphorbia are toxic to humans and dogs. The branches of this plant produce a milky substance that can cause severe GI, eye, and skin issues.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Euphorbia Toxicity in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten Euphorbia:
Eye contact:
- Pain swelling
- Redness
- Ulceration
- Temporary or permanent blindness
Skin Contact:
- Burning
- Blisters
- Rash with pain
- Irritation to skin
Ingestion:
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, call the vet immediately. It’s possible the fluid of the plant could cause permanent blindness in your dog unless it’s treated right away.
The vet will first clean out the plant’s sap from your dog’s eyes and skin. Then they will perform an extensive eye exam to check your fur baby for blindness. The plant can cause permanent or temporary blindness; it depends on how long the sap was in the eyes. In addition, the vet will treat any skin or oral problems that have been caused by the Euphorbia.
The good news is that most dogs will make a full recovery if they receive prompt medical care. The plant can cause blindness; however, with prompt treatment, there’s a high chance the dog’s eyesight will return to normal.
So, be sure to call the vet right away if your dog has eaten a Euphorbia.
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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