Poisonous Plants

The following plants are toxic to animals and should not be planted or grown near them. Remember, cats and dogs both love to chew on and often ingest plants, but some types can kill them!

1. Aloe
2. Amaryllis
3. Andromeda Japonica
4. Asian Lily (Liliaceae)
5. Asparagus Fern
6. Australian Nut
7. Autumn Crocus
8. Avocado
9. Azalea
10. Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
11. Bird of Paradise
12. American Bittersweet
13. European Bittersweet
14. Branching Ivy
15. Buckeye
16. Buddist Pine
17. Caladium
18. Calla Lily
19. Castor Bean
20. Charming Diffenbachia
21. Chinaberry Tree
22. Chinese Evergreen
23. Christmas Rose
24. Clematis
25. Cordatum
26. Corn (or Cornstalk) Plant
27. Cutleaf Philodendron
28. Cycads
29. Cyclamen
30. Daffodil
31. Day Lily
32. Devil's Ivy
33. Dumb Cane
34. Deadly Nightshade
35. Easter Lily
36. Elephant Ears
37. Emerald Feather or Fern
38. English Ivy
39. Fiddle-Leaf Philodendron
40. Flamingo Plant
41. Florida Beauty
42. Foxglove
43. Fruit Salad Plant
44. Glacier Ivy
45. Gladiolas
46. Glory Lily
47. Gold Dieffenbachia
48. Gold Dust Dracaena
49. Golden Pothos
50. Green Gold Nephthysis
51. Hahn's self branching English Ivy
52. Heartleaf Philodendron
53. Heavenly Bamboo
54. Holly
55. Horsehead Philodendron
56. Hurricane Plant
57. Hyacinth
58. Hydrangea
59. Iris
60. Japanese Show Lily
61. Japanese Yew
62. Jerusalem Cherry
63. Kalanchoe
64. Lace Fern
65. Lacy Tree
66. Lily of the Valley
67. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
68. Macadamia Nut
69. Madagascar Dragon Tree
70. Marble Queen
71. Marijuana
72. Mauna Loa Peace Lily
73. Mexican Breadfruit
74. Mistletoe "American"
75. Morning Glory
76. Mother-in-Law
77. Narcissus
78. Needlepoint Ivy
79. Nephthytis
80. Nightshade
81. Oleander
82. Onion
83. Orange Day Lily
84. Panda
85. Peace Lily
86. Philodendron Pertusum
87. Plumosa Fern
88. Precatory Bean
89. Queensland Nut
90. Red Emerald
91. Red Lily
92. Red-Margined Dracaena
93. Red Princess
94. Rhododendron
95. Ribbon Plant (Dracaena sanderiana)
96. Rubrum Lily
97. Saddle Leaf Philodendron
98. Sago Palm
99. Satin Pothos
100. Schefflera
101. Spotted Dumb Cane
102. Stargazer Lily
103. Striped Dracaena
104. Sweetheart Ivy
105. Swiss Cheese Plant
106. Taro Vine
107. Tiger Lily
108. Tomato Plant
109. Tree Philodendron
110. Tropic Snow Dumbcane
111. Tulip
112. Variable Dieffenbachia
113. Variegated Philodendron
114. Warneckei Dracaena
115. Wood Lily
116. Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
117. Yew

Just what the hell is Yeast Infection (Candida Albicans) ?

A yeast infection is caused by a yeast called Candida Albicans. Yeast is a normal part of the digestive tract. Like all yeasts, it thrives on sugars and carbohydrates, which are present in most commercial pet foods.

In healthy dogs, there are beneficial bacteria (such as Lactobacillus acidophilus) that metabolize sugars, thus keeping candida in check by disrupting its food supply. If the system is compromised in some way in the dog's body, it will provide a sugar-rich environment for candida to blossom.

Once there is an excess of candida in the dog's body, it will create a vicious cycle - candida cells produce toxic chemicals that kill beneficial bacteria and damage the body. In addition, waste products produced by candida are toxic chemicals that can slow the brain, causing fatigue and upsetting the immune system.

Once your dog is diagnosed with yeast, it is typically associated with very allergic pets. You may have tried rounds of antibiotics as well as topical creams and yet your dog still keeps itching and getting infections. Pets with yeast infections need to be healed from the inside out.

The end result? A systemic yeast infection in the dog.

If no action is not taken to kill off the single-celled candida, it can convert into a multi-celled fungal form. These cells will eventually penetrate the intestinal wall, diminishing the ability of the intestines to absorb vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids, leading to nutritional deficiencies and a GI problem called "leaky gut syndrome", whereby bacteria, toxins, and undigested food "leak" through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream, causing chronic low-grade infections, inflammation, and autoimmune responses in the form of various kinds of allergies, such as food, environmental, or seasonal allergies.

A common practice is to treat with antibiotics, which does kill some of the candida, but also destroys the beneficial bacteria necessary for proper digestion and body function. Moreover, after the antibiotic treatment is stopped, the overgrowth resumes, causing a vicious cycle that is difficult to reverse.

There are many possibilities that can result in an over-abundance of candida albicans. The most common causes are listed below:

1. Improper Diet (inadequate protein, too many carbohydrates, no probiotics, digestive enzymes, dietary enzymes, unusable minerals)
2. Use of Certain Medication (overuse of antibiotics, over vaccinations, medications, tick preparations, heartworm medications)
3. Physical Health Problems (thyroid problems, hormone stress, inbreeding, illness which compromises the immune system, )
4. Mental Health Problems (stress, anxiousness, high strung hyperactive dogs, death/loss, change in environment or weather related, change in home or home environment, boarding, sensitivity to stimulus)

Symptoms –

These conditions can be accompanied by a secondary infection, which is what gets treated. On the outside, dog yeast infections look very much like skin irritations and allergies, with symptoms such as:

• itchy skin resulting in excessive licking, scratching, and biting
• redness or skin rashes, especially on the feet, face, tummy, underarm, or genital areas
• recurring hot spots
• dry and flaky skin, sometimes the skin may turn black or discolored
• hives
• bad odor
• eczema
• itching eyes
• hair loss
• red, irritated eyes
• excessive tearing
• coughing
• bouts of asthma attacks
• frequent sneezing
• abnormal nasal discharge

Dog yeast infections may also manifest themselves as:

• ear infections
• urinary tract infections
• bladder infections
• food allergies
• GI problems, such as bloating and gas, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, etc.
• bad breath
• anal sac problems
• joint pain
• malnutrition due to inability to absorb sufficient nutrients
• fatigue and lethargy

With so many symptoms impersonate so many different dog diseases, you can imagine that sometimes even veterinarians may misdiagnose a case of dog yeast infection as something else - very often, the secondary disease caused by the yeast infection (e.g. urinary infection) will be diagnosed, but the root cause (i.e. the yeast infection) will not. As such, localized treatment is given to cure the secondary disease (in this case, urinary infection) without addressing the underlying root cause.

If your dog unfortunately suffers from recurring infections (be it skin, ear, or others) or has allergies (skin or food) that do not seem to go away, dog candida may be the culprit.

Can we try to return the health back to your dog? The answer is YES - we can fix or reverse this mess, it takes time, patience and you changing some of the feeding practice with your pet. Prevention is the cure.

Major symptoms of a yeast infection surface in the shape of skin rashes, itching, redness, pimples and sometimes greasiness. A veterinarian will use a microscope, take a culture of skin scrapings or conduct a smear test to confirm the diagnosis. Itching induced by a yeast infection further leads to skin damage. If not attended to in time, this may lead to hair loss and further complications that may become difficult to handle.

Usually, a yeast infection is caused by some medical condition that has rendered the immune system incapable of functioning properly. Treatment with antibiotics, steroids, and other conventional drugs may bring temporary relief, but the patient soon returns with another flare-up, and symptoms progress. Topical treatments are not very effective as the dog is prone to lick them off. But many antifungal drugs have potentially serious side effects and they produce only temporary results. As soon as the prescription ends, surviving candida cells multiply, re-colonize, and activate another series of symptoms.

Shampoos containing antifungal agents in the form of a nitrate can help in treatment but only to a certain extent. Always bathe with a cleansing shampoo first. Cleansing shampoo is able to help clean out the body clean very effectively. Thereafter use a natural shampoo to help with the skin.

A natural approach to health is always better than choosing medication. Effective ways of preventing yeast infection include a healthy, balanced and nutritional diet, avoiding commercial dog foods, and keeping the dog dry whenever he gets wet.

Removing carbohydrates is the first step; the second step involves destroying the candida organism. This can be done by adding coconut oil to your dog’s food. For best results, begin with a small amount and gradually increase to the optimum dose. Dogs with yeast infection may need more, especially in the early stages of treatment. It is important to provide plenty of drinking water during this time to help flush out the toxins.

About two weeks after this treatment is started, it is very important to start rebuilding the beneficial stomach bacteria. Beneficial bacteria form a first line of defense against pathogens. Probiotics are popular treatments for Candida infections, but proper timing is important.

Yeast infection can be a very frustrating disease that takes a lot of commitment on your part. Following our program is not easy for many, however, when the yeast is under control, owners report considerable improvement and a new positive lifestyle for their dog.

*A consultation is highly recommended before any preventative treatment is started.

Until we meet again, my Baby Girl!

Zhuzhu, you were with 2 other owners before you came to me. You came to me in the First Week of November 2007 because your previous owner couldn’t have you anymore.

I didn’t even know when you were born. I only know you were around 6 years old.

You came to me shaven down because your previous owner says you were dirty and you need to nurse your babies. You were given away because they didn’t want to continue using you as their breeding bitch anymore.

In my house, beside me there are only my other 2 dogs, Boyboy (Short-coated Chihuahua) and Sugar (Long-haired Chihuahua). Sugar came to me one month earlier than you. I have no idea that I will take you in too as part of my family and take good care of you till you leave me in my arms. I have no regrets having you around.

You came to me almost blind.

You came into my life when your health was not good. I am so sorry you were sick, but happy that you didn’t suffer more that you did.

I don't want to remember your ordeal of suffering so I won't describe your suffering while you were still alive with me. I want to remember all your funny antics and the way you showed me that you loved Boyboy, Sugar and Me.

Nothing can compare to the unconditional love and service that you have given me although its only a short period of 2 year plus.

You are always wagging your tail no matter what’s going on around you.

You always like to face the wall. Maybe you think there is someone there.

You had the softest hair I ever felt.

You have the sweetest face I ever see.

You hardly bark and are always lying around sleeping or follows everywhere I go in the house. It is just the house seems so strange without you.

When I left for work, I will bring you along. You will always sit there quietly and patiently waiting for me and wagging tails at my customers. I am very sure you have heard how many HUMANS said you are beautiful and lovely.

You hate bathing time. But when I have to bathe you, you never move around. You doesn't move around even I blow-dry your body. You don't move around when I brush your hair or when I want to groom you.

You are always the sweetest girl, happy to have anyone hold you, happy to be petted and paid attention. It was your favorite thing.

When it’s time for you to have your meals, you will always follow me around the kitchen to see what I am cooking for you. You just know that I am cooking for you.

You hate it when it’s raining and will always hides in a corner. When thunder strike, you will always walk around and squeeze to anywhere you can squeeze.

You hate it when I have to feed you medications. But you still cooperate with me and you took down each and every herbal medication that I give you.

You are always playing with Sugar. Running around the house with her. Chasing after one another. Always banging into things. You were so happy.

I know you have to go. I know. But I just couldn’t bear to let go of you. Which is why I keep trying and trying to extend your life staying with me. But I just couldn’t fight with the God of Death. Although over the years, many vets and friends told me to let you go, but I just keep hanging on. I have brought you back from going to the rainbow bridge so many times. I know it’s very tiring but seeing you gaining back your health each time you falls down, makes me so happy and relax.

From 26 September 2009 to 28 September 2009, you were so sick that you didn’t want to move and eat. I kept asking you if you would like to be with me longer, and if you want, walk for me and eat a bit.

YOU DID!!!! Each time I ask you, YOU DID!!!

You went to pee. You ate a bit. I know you totally have no more strength. I know. You couldn’t stand for long. I know you did it just for me and makes me smile.

I hugged you to sleep. On 29 September 2009, you left me on my arms. You looked at me. Boyboy and Sugar by your side. They know you have left them. They sat quietly and staring at you.

Zhuzhu, you will be in my heart forever. Thank you for being such a wonderful and faithful companion to me for almost 3 years. I love you more than I ever thought was possible to love a friend, and I will miss you every day. You are more than a friend to me. You are like my human daughter that it’s my responsibility to take care of you regardless of you being healthy or not. I’ll remember how you love me. I’ll remember how much joy you have given me.

I know you are not in heaven but waiting for me, for Boyboy and Sugar at the Rainbow Bridge. I know you saw my few other dogs who have passed on. I know you are playing with Baby (Yorkshire Terrier), Takky (Yorkshire Terrier) and Princess (Chihuahua).

It comforts me to know you are out of pain now and basking in the warm sun whenever you want to and playing happily.

I love you, my girl.

Thanks for being a part of our lives, little girl.

I will see you later.