Sea You at Fetch Long Beach
|Articles|April 8, 2010

Spring toxin 5: Lily of the valley

Photo gallery: 6 toxic springtime plants (Lily of the valley)

< Previous | Next >     

 

Spring toxin 5: Lily of the Valley

The lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) plant contains cardiac glycosides, naturally occurring substances that, when ingested, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, a drop in heart rate, severe cardiac arrhythmias, and possibly seizures. Let clients know that if their pets have eaten this plant, they should bring them in for examination. After the veterinarian has evaluated these pets, they should be treated symptomatically.

 

Next springtime toxin: Fertilizers


Related to this article

Q&A: Caregiver burden can begin early in pet illness. Are veterinary teams equipped to support clients, and how can veterinary social workers help both parties?
Caroline Cox, LSW, MSW, and Erika Krick, VMD, DACVIM (Oncology), discuss the role of veterinary social workers in supporting clients, communicating with veterinary teams, and helping practices address the human side of veterinary care in this Q&A from an interview at the 2026 Fetch National Harbor Veterinary Conference.