Confusion over toxicity of poinsettia
Hornfeldt, C.S.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 194(8): 1004
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 2708097 Document Number: 332588
The acute feeding trials with rats showed no toxicity due to the common houseplant poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima). Data from 3 years from a poison centre demonstrated that of 15 dogs that had ingested poinsettia (part or all of a plant) 3 had become ill (vomiting, diarrhoea) and that of 51 cats, one developed signs of toxicosis (salivation). It is concluded that poinsettia is only a gastrointestinal irritant and that aggressive treatment of suspected poisoning is usually not necessary.