Christmas Rose is Poisonous To Pets

Name: Christmas Rose, (aka. Lenten Rose, Hellebores)

Toxins: cardiac glycosides, as well as saponosides and the ranunculoside derivative, protoanemonine and also potentially the toxin Veratrine

Symptoms:  Intense burning of the mouth and throat, diarrhea, you may also notice muscular weakness, a slow irregular pulse, convulsions, labored breathing and prolonged contraction of the muscles. Again with death usually be the result of complete respiratory failure as a result of ingesting large amounts of the plants.

Additional Information: The term Christmas Rose or Lenten Rose is a the generic name given to a variety of members of the genus Helleborus, commonly known as Hellebores which comprise over 20 different plants. All Hellebores should be considered toxic and are known to contain cardiac glycosides, as well as saponosides and the ranunculoside derivative, protoanemonine and also potentially the toxin Veratrine with the most potent portion of the plant being the rhizome.
Hellebores will have a burning taste when ingested, possibly due to Veratine which is known to have an almost intolerably bitter, burning sensation in the mouth and throat. The positive is that this will generally limit the amount that a pet can tolerate consuming. The cardiac glyosides will begin to act negatively upon the heart producing cardiac Dysrhythmias such as Bradycardia and Tachycardia. The toxin Veratrine also has a strong effect on the cardio-inhibitory center, which generally will cause death due to respiratory depression.

Other symptoms of ingestion will include violent vomiting with and intense burning of the mouth and throat, diarrhea, you mayl also notice muscular weakness, a slow irregular pulse, convulsions, labored breathing and prolonged contraction of the muscles. Again with death usually be the result of complete respiratory failure as a result of ingesting large amounts of the plants.

First Aid: Induce vomiting followed by administration of activated charcoal slurry. Close scrutiny needs to be placed on monitoring the cardiac activity for arrhythmias. Atropine can be used to treat Bradycardia slowly through and IV at a dose of 0.01 mg/kg body weight repeated every 5 minutes if necessary.

In a human case of ingestion the with the administration of lidocaine, magnesium sulfate and potassium chloride the patient was able to make a recovery.