• Plants
• Caterpillars

The following plants are poisonous to animals. 
Contact your veterinarian immediately 
if you think your pet has ingested any of the following plants.

Poisonous plants in Europe

There are many plants in Spain that are harmful to pets and humans alike. Oleander bushes are proliferate in Spain and often used as boundaries. Whilst they may be attractive and practical, they are a killer plant if ingested. Laurel is another common plant whose berries contain cyanide like substances and can be fatal if eaten. Aconite (Monkshood) is the most poisonous plant in Europe and can be fatal. Other poisonous plants include:

Aloe Vera

Caladiums

Clematis
Daffodil bulbs
Delphiniums
Dumbcane (or Dieffenbachia)
Elephant ears
English ivy
Foxglove
Holly leaves and berries
Jack-in-the-pulpit leaves
Jerusalem cherry
Laurel
Lily of the valley
Mistletoe berry
Morning glory seeds
Nightshade (or Belladonna), especially berries
Oleander
Philodendron
Poinsettia
Poisonous mushrooms, especially Amanita
Poppy berries
Potato sprouts, roots, and vines
Rhododendron
Rhubarb leaves
Spider plant

Note:  The Dog House Foundation hold no liability for the content. Contact your Veterinarian immediately if you think your pet has ingested any of the following plants. This does not represent a complete list of all poisonous plants. Also, your pet may have a sensitivity or allergy to a plant that is not on the list, resulting in toxicity

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Caterpillars (Processional Pine Caterpillars)

Pine Caterpillars (Latin name thaumetopoea pityocampa) are probably one of the most unpleasant creatures you will find in Spain, certainly in areas where pine trees grow in abundance. They are found throughout the warmer regions of Southern Europe, the Near East and North Africa. As well as causing much damage to pine forests, they are a major danger to animals.  Do not touch them. The very fine hairs on these creatures are poisonous and most dangerous. They can be seen living in silk cocoon style nests hanging in the pine trees to which they are most harmful, stripping them of their pine needles. When hungry, they leave their cocoon to seek another uninfested tree on which to feed. They travel nose to tail in a line, hence the name Processional. They are most noticeable from January to mid April and are at their most dangerous in mid/late February. The caterpillars are often seen in the evenings, walking in procession from tree to tree. If they drop onto you or your pet, don't brush them off with your hands because the effect is most unpleasant, causing great irritation, rash and pain. Dogs, cats and people can suffer from shock. The hairs of the caterpillars are still virulent even when the creatures are dead. Do not hit them with sticks because hairs flying in the air are just as dangerous. Burn them, but be careful of floating hairs. If the caterpillars are in the tree cocoon state, first spray the nest with hair spray (to seal down the hairs), cover the cocoon and the affected part of the branch with a plastic bag, cut down the branch, place it on clear ground and burn it. If the caterpillars are on the ground marching, it is better first to spray them with lighter fuel and then set them alight. This reduces the risk of flying hairs. Take care to only do this where you cannot inadvertently start a forest/bush fire because during the summer months the undergrowth and trees are very dry. If you live near pine trees, it is recommended that you keep Anti Histamine tablets handy as an early treatment. In particular, avoid ingesting the hairs.  Dogs are most at risk by sniffing the ground where the caterpillars have marched. Take particular care with your eyes. If affected the result is serious, causing pain and swelling similar to a bad case of conjunctivitis. Treatment: If a animal shows signs of shock, get them to a vet immediately.

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Information on the the Dog House Foundation website is offered as a guide and not as a substitute for seeking Professional Veterinary prevention,diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with your Veterinarian who can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your pets unique needs or diagnosis for your pets particular medical history.

Charity 4718./ CIF G04691283.

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