BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Dogs 19 Week Old Puppy Ate Lantana

We've added yet another plant to our list of no-nos. We had no idea that Lantana, a beautiful Texas native flowering plant, was toxic to animals. Unfortunately, we found out differently today.

Our 19 week old mini-schnauzer is in the hospital today because it ingested small amounts of the plant (she's little and eats anything and everything that's not a food item). She's on IV fluids and they've given her charcoal to help clean out the toxins. We're optimistic of a recovery; but, we've been informed there will be lasting damage.

If you have this in your yard and you have chewers (four legged or two legged), you might want to get rid of it.

I'm so sorry to hear about your pup. It's difficult to stop them from chewing on everything. I have to constantly keep my 8 week old Dane from the azaleas as they are toxic as well. I hope your baby gets well soon.

Lynn, so sorry to hear your puppy is sick, hope she gets well soon
their just like little children getting into everything
good luck

So far she's survived, but she's lost a large portion of her sight. We don't know whether that will be permanent. She also has some neuro-muscular weakness.

Here's an update: The poisoning revealed a congenital kidney disorder (portal systemic shunt or PSS--a vein that supports detoxification activity in utero that's supposed to close after birth didn't close). She's too little and in too bad a shape right now for surgery. All we can do is keep her on a special high fat, low protein, low carb diet and hope for the best.

So does that mean the lantana may not be as poisonous as previously thought, and just more lethal to your poor pup?

Oh, no. Lantana is definitely very dangerous. You can find info on Lantana toxicity all over the web. If more than a small quantity is ingested by a dog (of course, dependent on weight), the result can be death in as quickly as 2 - 4 days.

PSS sort of sits quietly and animals may have no symptoms for some time. Then it makes itself known during diagnosis and treatment for other things - toxicity, seizures, urinary tract issues, even surgery (related to anesthesia).