What is Arenaria?
Arenaria is a genus of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae, commonly known as sandworts. There are around 200 species of Arenaria, found worldwide in temperate and cold climates.
Toxicity to Dogs
Most species of Arenaria are not toxic to dogs. However, some species, such as Arenaria leptoclados (Irish sandwort), contain saponins, which can be toxic if ingested.
Symptoms of Saponin Toxicity
Saponins can cause gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, saponins can also cause respiratory distress, convulsions, and even death.
What to Do If Your Dog Ate Arenaria
If you are concerned that your dog has eaten Arenaria, it is important to seek veterinary attention immediately. Your veterinarian will determine the type of Arenaria your dog ate and assess the severity of the symptoms.
Treatment
Treatment for saponin toxicity typically involves:
- Inducing vomiting to remove the toxin from the stomach
- Administering activated charcoal to absorb the toxin
- Providing supportive care, such as intravenous fluids and electrolytes
Prevention
The best way to prevent saponin toxicity is to keep your dog away from Arenaria plants. If you are unsure whether a plant is toxic, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid it.
The article was created by AI.
We received responses from Google Gemini to the following questions.
My dog ate an “arenaria”. What should I do? Answers should be in English.
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