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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.
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