What is Lantana Poisoning?
Although lantana originated in Central America, it can now be found in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. In these states, reports of lantana poisoning are common in areas where the plant grows wild. Lantana of the Verbenaceae family is a beautiful flowering plant that may be yellow, orange, red, or blue and white. Some lantana produce blue-black berries, which are the most toxic part of the plant. Unfortunately, the mortality rate is high in the more serious cases. If you think your dog may have eaten any part of a lantana plant, see a veterinary medical professional immediately even if you have not noticed any symptoms, as this is a life-threatening emergency.
Lantana poisoning in dogs is common in the southwestern United States in places where it is allowed to grow wild. The toxic property in lantana is a triterpenoid, which is extremely toxic and dangerous to your dog as well as other animals and children, if consumed. Triterpenoid can damage your dog’s hepatic system (gallbladder, bile ducts, and liver). While the entire plant of the lantana is poisonous, the berries are the most toxic. Not all lantana have berries, but those that do are dark blue (almost black) and very small (1/4 inch) that are grouped in small clusters. Some experts believe that the berries are safe if they are completely ripe, but scientists have proven that all berries from the lantana can be fatal.
Symptoms of Lantana Poisoning in Dogs
The initial symptoms of lantana poisoning, weakness and appetite loss, are evident within the first 24 hours of consumption. More serious symptoms will begin to develop over the next several days, such as bloody diarrhea, paralysis, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) from damage to the liver. The symptoms of lantana poisoning vary depending on how much your dog ate, what part of the plant was consumed, and what kind of lantana it is. Some of the most commonly reported symptoms are:
- Bloody diarrhea
- Death
- Depression
- Frequent urination
- Inability to move (paralysis)
- Loss of appetite
- Liver failure (dark urine, weakness, yellowing of the skin and eyes - jaundice)
- Sensitivity to the sun (photosensitization)
- Shock
- Swelling of the abdomen
- Vomiting
Types
Lantana (lantana camara) is in the Verbenaceae family in the order of the lamiales. Some of the other common names for lantana are red sage, wild sage, yellow sage, shrub verbena, and viburnum lantana. Lantana can grow to over six feet tall, but they are most commonly about three to four feet on average. There are approximately 150 types of lantana, but the most common in the United States are:
- Lantana camara
- Lantana depressa
- Lantana hirsuta
- Lantana horrida
- Lantana splendens
- Lantana strigocamara
- Lantana montevidensis
Causes of Lantana Poisoning in Dogs
The cause of lantana poisoning is consuming a toxic amount of lantana. The toxic principles in lantana are:
- Pentacyclic triterpenoids (Lantadene A, Lantadene B)
- Pentacyclic triterpene acids (Icterogenin, Dihydrolantadene A, reduced lantadene)
Diagnosis of Lantana Poisoning in Dogs
If you can, bring a portion of the lantana plant with you to the veterinarian so they can determine which type it is because some are more toxic than others. This will help the veterinarian get a definitive diagnosis to decide on a treatment plan. During the physical examination, the veterinarian will check your dog’s reflexes, weight, height, body temperature, breath sounds, blood pressure, respiration and pulse rate. Tell the veterinarian all of the details about the incident, like how much and what part of the plant your dog ate. You should also have your dog’s health history and vaccination records, and if you have noticed any unusual behavior or appetite changes.
Some tests that will be performed are a biochemical profile, complete blood count, urinalysis, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), electrolyte levels, liver enzymes, and glucose levels. The blood tests will show an increase in bilirubin and the hepatic enzymes AST and SDH. Imaging done with x-ray, CT scan, MRI, and ultrasound may also be necessary. To determine if your dog is dehydrated, a packed cell volume (PCV) test should be done as well.
Treatment of Lantana Poisoning in Dogs
An effective treatment usually consists of providing IV fluids and electrolytes, an activated charcoal lavage to absorb the toxins and empty the stomach, and antibiotics in case of infection. There may be supportive treatments required for any complications, such as inflammation of the liver or kidney damage. Hospitalization may be necessary in serious cases.
Recovery of Lantana Poisoning in Dogs
Chances for your dog’s recovery are good if treated quickly. Once your dog is allowed to go home, continue the medication and limit the amount of sunlight due to photosensitivity. Unfortunately, if treatment is not done before liver damage occurs your dog’s chances are poor. Be sure to remove all lantana from your property wherever your dog is allowed to go and call your veterinarian if you have any concerns.
Lantana Poisoning Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Has Symptoms
I lost my 3 year old Rottweiler in July to DKA, Pancreatitis and liver failure. I had caught him eating the lantana in my backyard so I pulled all 7 plants out. It was a few months later that he became fatally ill and was in the ICU for 4 days. It's been 5 months and every day I wonder what happened to make him so sick so young. I've always wondered if the lantana could have done this?
Hi Red. My guess is that your baby found some leftover leaves or berries, after the plants' removal. Then he gorged himself on whatever he could find. Over the last couple of years, I found my two Pomeranians drawn to the dead leaves dropping from two lantana plants in containers. I didn't like their bad habit & started clearing the area of leaves asap.
My husband & I kiddingly called them lantana addicts. Today, I pinched two tiny buds. Within a minute, one Pommie came running @ breakneck speed, sniffing feverously for where the new lantana might be. That's when I stopped @ this site. This plant obviously has a strong attractant, who is to say it can't also be addictive? All of the lantanas will be removed, I don't want to take the chance. So sorry again for your loss, but hopefully our messages will be seen by others & prevent more illness & death. Someone needs to lobby the Plant Nursery Industry to put Pet Poison warnings on plants like these.
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My dog Riley was diagnosed as having IMHA. He passed away from this at 4 yrs old. He used to bite off the flowers from Lantana plants constantly on our walks as we passed by. I always wondered if he was poisoned from these plants and if it caused the IMHA disease or if that was a false diagnosis. After reading this page I am even more convinced it may have had something to do with it. Wish I knew then what I know now. I miss my baby tremendously ever day!
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My chihuahua goes NUTS over lantana! She really seems to enjoy it... and she is well fed otherwise! It made her throw up a little. But just to be on the safe side, I now keep it out of her reach. But I'm remembering how a cat I once had loved lantana too. And even when he was sick unto death, he wanted lantana - even when he was refusing all other food. Consequently, I'm wondering if lantana has some medicinal quality we're not aware of, something they know instinctively. Especially chihuahuas, for I understand lantana grows wild in Mexico. And chihuahuas supposedly originated in Mexico.
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My 3 year old lab starting having seizures in March, 2018 (age 2.75). He was put on Keppra, 750 mg., bid after his second seizure. Blood work was negative for “poisoning”. We have both Sago Palm and Lantana. He had normal liver function on blood work. He was sent to a neurology Vet who doubled the Keppra dose to 3000 mg. q.d. About 6 wks later, he started vomiting and had bloody diarrhea and would not eat anything. He had an abdominal X-ray which showed acute gastritis. He was hospitalized for two days-got IV Flagyl and Amoxicillin. He almost died but recovered fully. Three Vets said this could be due to toxicity from the high dose Keppra, but the neurologist states it is not even remotely possible. We cut back the Keppra to 750 bid. He has had no other Gi symptoms but continues seizures about every three weeks. The neuro Vet prescribed phenobarbital, but we don’t want to give it due to possible liver damage. Is it possible this could be the lantana? Would poisoning from this show up on blood work? They assured me this would not be poisoning from Sago, but we didn’t discuss Lantana. He loves to eat nut grass around the plants as does our other lab. She has never been sick. I’ll mention that his brother (litter mate) had PRAA at birth-not a really healthy litter.
Thank you so much for any advice you can give me. I plan to take him to TAMU for a work-up when we can afford it.
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She is being treated for pneumonia but was doing well till she chewed on a lantana leaf then experienced rapid breathing but no sob I gave her half a 12.5 infant Benadryl she has now almost returned to normal breathing 48 a minute no distress should I take her in
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My brother puppy sat my dogs and he has lantanas and since I picked them up they are both sick. I am scared I don't have money to take them to vet what do I do one is 7mnths and the other is 3 years old.
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I just saw my dog eating something around a lantana bush. Then saw her pick something off of it, eat, and do it 3 more times before I got her to stop. I did find 2 berries on it. What should I do, she isn't showing anything.
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Lantana poisoning may lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness and liver failure; you may try to induce vomiting with 3% of hydrogen peroxide and administer activated charcoal. It may be a case of ensuring Rosie stays hydrated and I would recommend you visit your Veterinarian for supportive care. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
My dog recently ate the berries from a lantana Camara plant ( orange,yellow, red plant) . I saw him do it and scolded him (told him no don't eat that !)
A day later he had bloody diarrhea all day long. The next day I took him to the vet. I told her it was the plant and brought it in. She didn't think it was the plant for sure since she researched it and said it really affects livestock more and the dog would have to eat 10% its body weight. That is not true. My dog ate very little maybe a berrie cluster or two. The dog ended up getting 2 IV's of saline and antibiotic and prednisone, anti nausea and pain meds in its IV. We had a CBC (bloodwork panel) it had low levels in several areas (calcium, protein etc. and looked like the liver was malfunctioning). Long story this site is very accurate. This stuff in extremely dangerous. I cut the bush out a day later and it scratched my arms and I've been having an allergic reaction ever since (welts and itching) which is another sign that the plant is nothing to mess with . If you have animals don't have this plant around or little kids. Our dog almost died and he is still recovering and not quite back to normal yet. I'm glad I saw him eat the berries and put two and two together. The vet bill was $750
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My 12 year old Chihuahua was sniffing around the Lantana in my flowerbed just minutes ago. I saw her chewing on a leaf and scolded her, made her stop. I don't think she swallowed any. However after reading this page I'm really worried. Could one leaf cause her to become ill and die...especially since I don't believe she swallowed any?? I'm keeping an eye on her, so far she is acting normal. She came in drank water and is now laying in her bed snoring away. All normal. What exactly should I watch for other than erratic breathing? Diarrhea is often something she deals with, so I need other signs, please. There are no berries on the plant at this time.
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Out rottie has been eating lantana for over a year now. No sign of reaction. Was just informed that lantana is poisonous to dogs. What should we do? Should we remove the lantana or leave it there? We have a dozen plants without berries.
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OMG my 14 year old Poodle and Yorkie have eaten the leaves of lantana for many years. They appear healthy and all their Vet check-ups have been good but I guess you can't be too careful so after reading all this I will move it out of their reach.