Narcissus Is Poisonous To Pets

Treatment for daffodil ingestion is symptomatic and supportive; there is no specific treatment or antidote. If the ingestion was recent remove any existing plant matter from the mouth and flush the mouth thoroughly with water. Unless it is recognized very early on that a pet ingested a plant containing lycorine or the amounts involved are large, vomiting the patient is probably not recommended, as the emetic effects of the toxin will inevitably cause the patient to vomit spontaneously. When significant amounts are involved, and there is danger of prolonged vomiting or nongastrointestinal effects, lavage may be indicated. Although activated medical charcoal may be very useful in adsorbing these alkaloids, its use may be limited since symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea can take an hour or more to manifest from the time of ingestion. If the vomiting and diarrhea are extensive, patients should be monitored for fluid and electrolyte loss. In cases where animals have ingested a large amount, hypotension, seizures and hepatic damage has been reported; patients should have blood pressure and liver function monitored.

In the March 2004 issue of the Canadian Veterinary Journal, a successful treatment regimen was provided in an article titled, Daffodil toxicosis in an adult cat, by Dr. Sharon Saxon-Buri:

“A domestic longhair cat with a 3-day history of lethargy and vomiting after ingesting dried daffodil stems (Narcissus spp.) was severely hypothermic (33.0°C), with bradycardia (78 beats/min) and hypotension. Treatment with atropine, dexamethasone, fluid therapy, and supportive care resulted in a complete recovery by 6 days after exposure. “A 2-year old, neutered, male domestic longhair was presented with a history of lethargy and vomiting of 3 d duration. Four days earlier (day 1), the cat had expelled a hairball, but this was not considered unusual. Subsequently, on day 2, the cat had vomited food and yellow fluid several times and had displayed a marked decrease in appetite, with polydipsia and polyuria. No vomiting occurred on day 3, but the cat was lethargic and anorexic. The owners attributed these changes to hairballs and treated the cat with a teaspoon of a hairball remedy on the morning of day 4. On further questioning, the owner reported seeing the cat chewing on dried daffodil stalks, which had been removed from the flower garden for disposal on the morning of day 2, and recalled seeing plant material in the vomitus that day. “When examined, the cat was sternally recumbent, quiet, in thin body condition, and conscious, but only weakly responsive. The extremities were cool to the touch and the rectal temperature averaged 33.5°C for 3 readings. Pale oral mucous membranes were noted, and auscultation of the heart revealed bradycardia (84 beats/min (bpm); reference range, 120 to 140 bpm). Respiratory rate was normal (22 breaths/min). Dehydration was estimated at 10%, and peripheral pulses were weak. The severity of the cat’s condition was discussed with the owner, who agreed to emergency therapy for possible daffodil toxicosis.

“The cat was wrapped in warm towels and catheterization of the left cephalic vein was attempted but was not possible, probably because of hypotension. Accordingly, 180 mL of lactated Ringer’s solution (Baxter; Toronto, Ontario) was administered SC. During this procedure, the rectal temperature of the cat dropped to 33.0°C. Accordingly, the cat was immersed in a water bath at 40°C for approximately 15 min, removed, and immediately dried with warm towels and a hair dryer. Subsequently, the cat was rewrapped in dry towels with warm oat bags and placed under a heat lamp. After 15 min, the body temperature had risen to 36.0°C, and it was possible to catheterize the right cephalic vein. A 2-mL blood sample was drawn for a complete blood cell (CBC) count (QBC VetAutoread Hematology Anayzer; Idexx Laboratories, Toronto, Ontario) and serum biochemical profile (VetTest Chemistry Analyzer; Idexx Laboratories). Warmed lactated Ringer’s solution was administered, IV, at shock rate (45 mL/kg bodyweight (BW)/h). The heart rate had dropped to 78 bpm, and atropine, 0.02 mg/kg BW, IM, and dexamethasone (Vétoquinol, Lavaltrie, Quebec), 2 mg/kg BW, IV, were also administered. Detoxification procedures, such as induction of emesis, administration of activated charcoal, or gastric lavage, were not elected because more than 48 h had elapsed since the time of exposure to the daffodil stalks. The cat was monitored continuously and the rectal temperature was taken 4 times/h. Thirty minutes after warming and atropine administration, the heart rate had increased to 120 bpm and the rectal temperature had increased to 37.5°C; however, 30 min later, rectal temperature had dropped to 35.1°C. The described warming protocol was repeated with similar results. Oral mucous membranes remained a normal pink color.

“The CBC counts were within normal range; however, the biochemical profile results revealed elevated urea (42.62 mmol/L; reference range, 5.71 to 12.85 mmol/L), hyperglycemia (glucose 25.14 mmol/L; reference range, 4.22 to 8.06 mmol/L), hyponatremia (sodium 137.2 mmol/L; reference, range, 150.0 to 165.0 mmol/L), hypokalemia (potassium 2.35 mmol/L; reference range, 3.5 to 5.8 mmol/L), and hypochloremia (chloride 75.5 mmol/L; reference range, 112.0 to 129.0 mmol/L). The urinary bladder was not palpable, so it was not possible to collect urine either by cystocentesis or digital compression. Because of the difficulty in maintaining normothermia for more than 30 min and to ensure metabolic stability overnight, the cat was transferred to an emergency clinic for continuous observation and warming.

“The cat was returned from the emergency clinic to the admitting clinic on the morning of day 5. With the use of warm towels, oat bags, and warm IV fluids, average rectal temperature had reached 38.0°C. The average heart rate (measured hourly) was 120 bpm and oral mucous membranes remained pink. A serum biochemical profile revealed a return to normal ranges for urea (11.45 mmol/L), sodium (153 mmol/L), and potassium (3.8 mmol/L). Chloride remained slightly low (110 mmol/L); glucose had decreased (10.08 mmol/L) but remained above the reference range. A free-flow clear yellow urine sample (specific gravity 1.015; pH 8.5) contained trace blood and protein.

“On day 6, the cat began sitting up and walking periodically. Crackles were noted in the ventral lung fields bilaterally. The IV fluid rate was decreased to maintenance rate and furosemide (Apo-Furosemide; Apotex, Toronto), 2 mg/kg BW, IM, was administered. The cat remained quiet, alert, and responsive, urine output increased during the 3 h following diuretic administration, and lung sounds returned to normal 4 h after diuretic administration. During the next 8 h, in the absence of exogenous heat sources, rectal temperature, taken hourly, averaged 38.4°C, and the cat consumed 30 mL of Prescription Diet Canine/Feline a/d (Hill’s Pet Nutrition Canada, Mississauga, Ontario).

“On day 7, with a body temperature of 38.9°C, normal hydration, and a normal CBC count and serum biochemical profile, the cat remained quiet. Fluid therapy was discontinued and the cat remained stable. On day 8, the cat was bright and energetic, with a normal appetite. A complete physical examination was unremarkable and the cat was discharged.”-(Can Vet J. 2004 March; 45(3): 248–250. PMCID: PMC548613)