What is Wisteria Poisoning?
Wisteria (wistaria or wysteria) is a climbing vine related to the flowering pea plant that will wrap around anything and grows up to 60 feet high and 30 feet wide. The flowers grow in flowing bunches of white, pink, violet, or purple. The seedpods are similar to peapods and are the most poisonous with high levels of lectin and wisterin toxins. Both of these can be lethal if seed pods or seeds are eaten, or if a large amount of flowers or foliage is consumed. There is no immediate pain or foul taste so your dog may continue to eat until a fatal amount is consumed so even if there are no symptoms, you should call your veterinarian or go to a veterinary professional as soon as possible.
Wisteria vines are a group of flowering vines that are as dangerous as they are beautiful. While they are known for their flowing waterfall of hanging blooms, they are also known to be poisonous if just a few seed pods are eaten. In fact, fatalities of small animals and children have been reported several times over the years. There are two toxic properties in wisteria; lectin and wisterin glycoside. These can both result in fatalities, but the seed pods and the seeds themselves are the most toxic, containing the highest amounts of both lectin and wisterin glycoside. Lectin results in clumping of the blood cells and produces dangerous blood clotting and possible stroke. The wisterin glycoside can also be fatal by causing severe diarrhea and vomiting that can result in dehydration and death.
Wisteria Poisoning Average Cost
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Symptoms of Wisteria Poisoning in Dogs
The symptoms of wisteria poisoning depend on what part of the plant was eaten and the amount that your dog consumed. As few as three seeds from a wisteria pod can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and more than five can be fatal.
- Collapse
- Confusion
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Repeated vomiting
- Severe diarrhea
- Speech problems
- Stomach pains
Types
There are different varieties of wisteria, such as the American wisteria, which is common in the United States, and the Japanese or Chinese wisteria, common in Asia. The flowers range in size from one centimeter to several inches across with either oblong or oval pods. Leaves range in size and amount, but are always a deep green color. The wisteria is in the Fabaceae family of the fabales order in the genus of wisteria. Some of the common and scientific names are:
- American wisteria
- Wistaria
- Wisteria brachybotrys
- Wisteria brevidentata
- Wisteria floribunda
- Wisteria frutescens.
- Wisteria macrostachya
- Wisteria sinensis
- Wisteria venusta
- Wisteria villosa
- Wysteria
Causes of Wisteria Poisoning in Dogs
There are two toxic principles in wisteria.
- Lectin is a serious toxin that causes diarrhea, headache, nausea, dehydration, confusion, and death by binding to the surfaces of blood cells in the body
- Wisterin glycoside is a saponin sometimes referred to as wistarin or wisterine in the seeds of the wisteria pods that can be lethal if eaten by your dog
Diagnosis of Wisteria Poisoning in Dogs
Try to bring a sample of the wisteria plant with you so the veterinarian will be able to have it tested to determine the exact species. Even if the test results take a few days, it is best find out in case the treatment or medication needs to be adjusted when the results come back. A thorough examination of your dog will be done including physical appearance, oxygen levels weight, height, body temperature, blood pressure, respiration rate, breath sounds, reflexes, and heart rate.
The veterinarian will need all the details you have about when your dog ate the wisteria and what symptoms you have seen, if any. In addition, your dog’s medical history, vaccination records, and recent illnesses or injuries should be brought to the veterinarian’s attention. A urinalysis, blood count, glucose levels, BUN (blood urea nitrogen), chemistry panel, and blood gases will be performed. Also, if your dog has been vomiting, a PCV (packed cell volume) will be performed to check for dehydration. An ECG (electrocardiogram) can be used to measure the electrical performance of the heart. To get a better view of your dog’s internal organs, an ultrasound, x-rays, and CT scans may be done.
Treatment of Wisteria Poisoning in Dogs
Your dog’s treatment depends on the results of the laboratory tests, ECG, and imaging. The usual procedure includes prompting emesis (vomiting) with a hydrogen peroxide solution, activated charcoal to absorb the toxins, and maybe a gastric lavage with warm saline to clear any leftover toxin residue in the digestive system. Intravenous (IV) fluids will be given for several hours or overnight to flush the toxins from your dog’s kidneys and rehydrate the system.
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Recovery of Wisteria Poisoning in Dogs
If treatment is started within 24 hours and your dog did not eat more than one seed pod, the prognosis is good. However, if a large amount of seeds were consumed, the veterinarian will keep your dog hospitalized for observation and supportive treatment for at least 24 hours. Due to the danger to pets and children, be sure to remove any wisteria plants from your property or if this is not possible, securely block that area, denying all access to your children, dog, and other animals.
Wisteria Poisoning Average Cost
From 523 quotes ranging from $200 - $500
Average Cost
$300
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Wisteria Poisoning Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Abner
16 Years
13 found this helpful
13 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Nothing
I had a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Abner who would eat the seed pods on a regular basis and nothing ever happened to him. He was a monster corgi that tipped the scale at 50 pounds and was all muscle. Through the years he had eaten pounds and pounds of chocolate and in one incident consumed 3 pounds of chocolate covered raisins. This caused him to lose about half of his fur and have shivers for 2 straight days. His fur grew back and the shivers stopped as well. But he suffered no side effects from eating the wisteria seeds on a regular basis. How was this possible?
Sept. 1, 2018
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Labrador Bulldog Mix
Harley
6 Years
19 found this helpful
19 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None Yet
Will wisteria harm my dog? She ate about 1.5 bunches of the flowers, including the pods. She just ate them. Is there any sort of immediate action I should take? She’s eaten socks, slime, plastic toys, grapes, and chocolate before. She loves to steal food off the table. She has an iron stomach. But, are there any precautions I should take? I don’t want her to eat herself to death. I’m really worried about her.
March 15, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
19 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Wisteria can be highly toxic to dogs, to the point of being fatal. it would be best to have her seen immediately at your nearest veterinarian.
March 15, 2018
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Maltipoo
Heidi
7 Years
10 found this helpful
10 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting And Severe Bloody Diarrhea
My dog is an 11 pound white maltipoo that developed vomiting and severe bloody diarrhea so much so that it required a trip to the emergency room at midnight where they treated her for dehydration etc. The next day I took her to her regular vet that is also a hospital. They kept her and took blood tests, x-rays etc.and put her on an IV. We have a huge Wisteria vine that has spread everywhere. Do you think if she ate something fro it that this could be her problem? I am waiting for the vet report now. Thanks in advance Bill C
March 7, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
10 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. There are many things that might have caused her dramatic signs, but if she did eat some of the plant, that could have caused it. Your veterinarian sounds like they are staying on top of her condition, and hopefully you will have more answers once her test results come back. Let your veterinarian know about the Wisteria, as it may be important in her treatment.
March 7, 2018
Are dried pods less or more dangerous than green ones?
March 13, 2018
Mary N.
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German Shepherd
Kimber
9 Months
9 found this helpful
9 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Excessive Saliva
My dog at westeria seeds or at least one 6 days ago. She had diarrhea and severe salivation. I took her to the vet not knowing what it was and later after the vet gave her special food and medications I realized what she ate ( I’m pretty sure ) she has been doing well and now today I saw her eat another and I told her to spit it out and she did . I told everyone to NOT let her out front until we thoroughly disposed of the seeds/pods and my youngest daughter didn’t listen as she was cutting the pods down and getting rid of them. I was so mad and worried now , what if she ate more ( since I caught her) I wasn’t home when she was doing this. What do I do now besides keep an eye on her and wait for the symptoms again :( she has one more day of the meds , I’m afraid it may mask the symptoms that will show me somethings wrong again.
Feb. 11, 2018
9 Recommendations
The problem is we cannot be sure that she consumed any seeds or pods; but generally inducing vomiting with 3% hydrogen peroxide (within two hours of consumption) and administration of activated charcoal may help. Also, keeping an eye out for symptoms is important but the symptoms should present with another poisoning episode regardless of treatment. If you think she consumed a large amount, visit your Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Feb. 11, 2018
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Pug
Minnie
12 Years
12 found this helpful
12 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Gas
My dog has eaten dried wisteria leaves off the ground for years. I never knew this was a problem, but maybe that is because our vine never blooms or has seed pods??? She appears to have no symptoms.
Jan. 23, 2018
12 Recommendations
Whilst all parts of the plant are considered toxic, we are more concerned with the seeds and the seed pods as they have much high concentrations of glycosides; you should discourage Minnie from consuming the leaves. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Jan. 23, 2018
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Wisteria Poisoning Average Cost
From 523 quotes ranging from $200 - $500
Average Cost
$300
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