Pet Care

Avocado

Additional Common Names:: Alligator Pear
Scientific Name:: Persea americana

Family:: Lauraceae
Where Found:: Primarily grown in Florida and California; readily available in grocery stores.
Toxicity:: Toxic to Horses
Toxic Principles:: Persin
Clinical Signs:: Horses: Poisonings can occur when avocado groves are used as pastures, or pruned branches become accessible. The leaves, seeds fruit and bark are likely all toxic. Clinical effects occur mainly in mares, and includes noninfectious mastitis, as well as occasional gastritis and colic. Cattle: inflammation of the mammary glands, decreased milk production. Rabbits: inflammation of the mammary glands, decreased milk production, difficulty breathing, fluid around heart, heart rhythm problems, death. Goats: inflammation of the mammary glands, decreased milk production, difficulty breathing, fluid around heart, heart rhythm problems, death. Birds: difficulty breathing, fluid around heart, heart rhythm problems, death. Dogs, cats: vomiting, diarrhea.

If your pet ingested this plant, contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.*

* A $65 consultation fee may apply.