It has been five years since our dog, Jackson, then just a three-month-old puppy, awoke at 2 a.m. and promptly vomited a frothy puddle all over my fuzzy yellow, sock-clad feet.

At the time, bleary-eyed and barely functioning, I told myself it was probably nothing to worry about. After a few minutes of “helping” me wash the carpet (and my socks!), Jackson scampered back into his kennel and was asleep within a minute.

That next day, however, as I watched him snatch and then try to munch a hugh rhododendron leaf during one of his frantic puppy romps around the garden, I started to wonder if our little guy had ingested a poisonous plant. He seemed fine, and we always tried to make sure he never actually ate any plant material... but I just wasn’t completely sure.

Our previous dog, a golden retriever, wasn’t at all interested in plants and so I never bothered to consider just how many pet-toxic species probably grew within our landscape. Our new yellow lab, however, adored plants and loved tearing off any leaf, twig or flower within range of his needle-sharp teeth.

Just for my own peace of mind I logged onto the Animal Poison Control Center website run by the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): www.apcc.aspca.org. Sure enough, the (long!) list of poisonous plants included not only rhododendron, but many other species that we have not only outdoors, but indoors as well.

I mentioned this incident in a previous column back in 2003, but it relates to a fact that’s worth repeating: some of the Northwest’s most common outdoor plants are poisonous to both dogs and cats.

This includes plants such as azalea, baby’s breath, clematis, dianthus, English ivy, foxglove, geranium, hops (a favorite annual climber for many gardeners, including myself!), lily of the valley, lantana, oleander, morning glory, narcissus, grapes (fresh, or dried as raisins) allium, tulip bulbs, castor beans, primrose, stargazer and tiger lilies (cats only) and yew.

Houseplants to be wary of include dieffenbachia, corn plant, cyclamen, dracaena, Easter lily (cats), pothos, philodendron, sweetheart ivy and Sago palm.

Marijuana leaves are also highly toxic to both dogs and cats.

Plants are not the only worry. Gardeners who love their pets often inadvertently expose them to insecticides and herbicides. Even nontoxic or least-toxic chemicals can cause adverse reactions if your pet eats or rolls in the stuff.

Man-made chemicals like the organophosphates (malathion, diazinon and fenthion) and carbamates (carbaryl and carbofuran) are neurological poisons found in some pesticides and certain flea and tick products.

Warning signs of ingestion may include excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, urination, apprehension, tremors or over-excitment. The end result, if not treated, can leave a pet with brain, heart and breathing problems. Of, in a worst case scenario, organ failure and death.

The folks at the Animal Poison Control Center offer some excellent tips on their website for anyone who suspects their pet has been exposed to a poisonous plant or other toxic substance. Here are a few of their guidelines:

n Remain calm: Take a minute to safely collect a sample of the toxic substance involved. In the case of plants, put leaves, stems and/or flowers into a plastic Ziplock baggie. This way you can describe it over the phone or show it to your veterinarian.

It’s also helpful, if you’re going to see your vet in person, to bring along any material your pet may have vomited or chewed.

If you suspect your pet has walked through a toxin, take a moment to wash all paws with warm, soapy water and then rinse thoroughly.

And if you witness your pet consuming material that you suspect might be toxic, don’t hesitate to seek emergency assistance EVEN IF YOU DON’T NOTICE ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS. Sometimes even poisoned animals may appear normal for several hours or even days after the incident. I called our regular vet and talked with her about my own concerns. It turned out that Jackson was fine and had probably just consumed too much water — whew!

n Call your vet immediately in the case of seizures, loss of consciousness or difficulty breathing: Timing is critical in these situations, so don’t wait at home for your pet to improve.

n If you cannot reach your vet, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) at 1 (888) 426-4435: There is a $60 consultation fee for this service. Be ready to provide your name, address and phone number; the toxic substance your pet ingested or touched and how it’s affecting your animal; the species, breed, age, sex and weight of the animal(s) involved; information regarding the exposure, including the agent (if known), the amount of the agent involved and the time elapsed since your pet was first exposed.

If it’s a known chemical, have the product container or packaging available for reference.

Yes, you are paying for the expertise of the on-call specialists. But as the premier animal poison control center in North America, the APCC is your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency. They’re open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance (whether household or garden related), this call could make all the difference.

Of course, if your animal is having seizures, losing consciousness, already is unconscious or is having trouble breathing, head straight for the closest emergency veterinary clinic if your own vet is not available. If necessary, he or she may then call the APCC.

n Be prepared: Despite our best efforts, beloved pets can still become poisoned. Stay prepared for such an emergency by keeping the telephone numbers of your vet, the nearest emergency veterinary hospital and the Animal Poison Control Center posted by your main telephone.

n Keep a pet safety kit on hand for emergencies: The ASPCA recommends that this kit contain the following: a fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide 3 percent (USP); a can of soft dog or cat food, as appropriate; a turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medicine syringe; saline eye solution to flush out eye contaminants; artificial tear gel to lubricate eyes after flushing; a mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid for bathing your pet after skin contamination; rubber gloves to prevent you from being exposed while you bathe the animal; forceps to remove stingers and a muzzle to keep the animal from hurting you when it’s excited or in pain.

, a can of your pet’s favorite wet food, and a pet carrier (if appropriate) to help carry the animal to your local veterinarian.

Always consult a veterinarian or the APCC for directions on how and when to use any emergency first-aid item.

Jackson is now five years old and, thankfully, has abandoned his youthful plant-eating ways. But I still keep a safety kit on hand, just in case...

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