Pet Care

Rhododendron

Additional Common Names:: Rosebay, Azalea
Scientific Name:: Rhododendron spp

Family:: Ericaceae
Where Found:: About 250 different species; geographic distribution varies with species. For example, Rhododendron occidentalis is native to California; Rhododendron catawbiense is native to the Allegheny Mountains of Virginia to Georgia.
Toxicity:: Toxic to Horses, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Dogs
Toxic Principles:: Grayantoxin
Clinical Signs:: Vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, weakness, coma, hypotension, CNS depression, cardiovascular collapse and death. Ingestion of a few leaves can cause serious problems. Rhododendron is typically not very palatable to horses unless it is the only forage available, but sheep and goats may graze readily on the plant. The toxic principle interferes with normal skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle and nerve function. Clinical effects typically occur within a few hours after ingestion, and can include acute digestive upset, excessive drooling, loss of appetite, frequent bowel movements/diarrhea, colic, depression, weakness, loss of coordination, stupor, leg paralysis, weak heart rate and recumbency for 2 or more days; at this point, improvement may be seen or the animal may become comatose and die.

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.