Ten Most Common Poisonous Plants

Marijuana
Ingestion of Cannabis sativa by companion animals can result in depression of the central nervous system and incoordination, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, increased heart rate, and even seizures and coma.
Sago Palm
All parts of Cycas Revoluta are poisonous, but the seeds or “nuts” contain the largest amount of toxin. The ingestion of just one or two seeds can result in very serious effects, which include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and liver failure.

Lilies
Members of the Lilium spp. are considered to be highly toxic to cats. While the poisonous component has not yet been identified, it is clear that with even ingestions of very small amounts of the plant, severe kidney damage could result.

Tulip/Narcissus bulbs
The bulb portions of Tulipa/Narcissus spp. contain toxins that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions and cardiac abnormalities.

Azalea/Rhododendron
Members of the Rhododenron spp. contain substances known as grayantoxins, which can produce vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness and depression of the central nervous system in animals. Severe azalea poisoning could ultimately lead to coma and death from cardiovascular collapse.

Oleander
All parts of Nerium oleander are considered to be toxic, as they contain cardiac glycosides that have the potential to cause serious effects—including gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia and even death.

Castor Bean
The poisonous principle in Ricinus communis is ricin, a highly toxic protein that can produce severe abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness and loss of appetite. Severe cases of poisoning can result in dehydration, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma and death.

Cyclamen
Cylamen species contain cyclamine, but the highest concentration of this toxic component is typically located in the root portion of the plant. If consumed, Cylamen can produce significant gastrointestinal irritation, including intense vomiting. Fatalities have also been reported in some cases.

Kalanchoe
This plant contains components that can produce gastrointestinal irritation, as well as those that are toxic to the heart, and can seriously affect cardiac rhythm and rate.

YewTaxus spp.
contains a toxic component known as taxine, which causes central nervous system effects such as trembling, incoordination, and difficulty breathing. It can also cause significant gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac failure, which can result in death.

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List of Common Houshold Items Toxic to Dogs

Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet -
Alcoholic beverages -
Avocado -
Chocolate (all forms) -
Coffee (all forms) -
Fatty foods-
Macadamia nuts -
Moldy or spoiled foods -
Onions, onion powder -
Raisins and grapes -
Salt -
Yeast dough -
Garlic -
Products sweetened with xylitol
Warm Weather Hazards -
Animal toxins—
toads, insects, spiders, snakes and scorpions -
Blue-green algae in ponds -
Citronella candles -
Cocoa mulch -
Compost piles Fertilizers -
Flea products -
Outdoor plants and plant bulbs -
Swimming-pool treatment supplies -
Fly baits containing methomyl -
Slug and snail baits containing metaldehyde
Medication Common examples of human medications that can be potentially lethal to pets, even in small doses, include: -
Pain killers -
Cold medicines -
Anti-cancer drugs -
Antidepressants -
Vitamins -
Diet Pills
Cold Weather Hazards -
Antifreeze -
Liquid potpourri -
Ice melting products -
Rat and mouse bait
Common Household Hazards-
Fabric softener sheets -
Mothballs-
Post-1982 pennies (due to high concentration of zinc)
Holiday Hazards -
Christmas tree water (may contain fertilizers and bacteria, which, if ingested, can upset the stomach. -
Electrical cords -
Ribbons or tinsel (can become lodged in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction—most often occurs with kittens!) -
Batteries -
Glass ornaments
Non-toxic Substances for Dogs and Cats
The following substances are considered to be non-toxic, although they may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in some animals: - Water-based paints - Toilet bowl water - Silica gel - Poinsettia - Cat litter - Glue traps - Glow jewelry

ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center — 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435)
Pet Food Recall List
Pet Food Recall FAQ

Health

Greyhounds are typically a healthy and long-lived breed, and hereditary illness is rare. Some Greyhounds have been known to develop esophageal achalasia, Bloat (gastric torsion), and osteosarcoma.[9] Because the Greyhound's lean physique makes it ill-suited to sleeping on hard surfaces, owners of companion Greyhounds generally provide soft bedding; without bedding, Greyhounds are prone to develop painful skin sores. Greyhounds typically live 10–13 years.[10]
Due to the unique physiology and anatomy of greyhounds, a veterinarian who understands the issues relevant to the breed is generally needed when the dogs need treatment, particularly when anaesthesia is required. Greyhounds cannot metabolize barbiturate-based anesthesia as other breeds can because they have lower amounts of oxidative enzymes in their livers.
Greyhounds demonstrate unusual blood chemistry, which can be misread by veterinarians not familiar with the breed; this can result in an incorrect diagnosis. Greyhounds have higher levels of red blood cells than do other breeds. Since red blood cells carry oxygen to the muscles, this higher level allows the hound to move larger quantities of oxygen faster from the lungs to the muscles. Veterinary blood services often use greyhounds as universal blood donors.[11].

Greyhound. (2007, July 8). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:38, July 8, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Greyhound&oldid=143366863

Welfare

In the late 20th century several Greyhound adoption groups were formed. The early groups were formed in large part out of a sense of concern about the treatment of the dogs while living on the track. These groups began taking greyhounds from the racetracks when they could no longer compete and placing them in adoptive homes. Prior to the formation of these groups, in the United States over 20,000 retired greyhounds a year were euthanized; recent estimates still number in the thousands, with about 90% of National Greyhound Association-registered animals either being adopted, or returned for breeding purposes (according to the industry numbers upwards of 2000 dogs are still killed annually in the US while anti-racing groups estimating the figure at closer to 12,000.).[8]
Accidents and disease are also common killers among racing greyhounds. In 2005, an epidemic of respiratory failure killed dozens of dogs and left over 1200 quarantined in the U.S., particularly in Massachusetts, Colorado, Iowa and Rhode Island[citation needed].
The vast majority of greyhounds are bred for racing (registered with the National Greyhound Association or NGA), leading American Kennel Club registered dogs about 150:1[citation needed]. Each NGA dog is issued a Bertillon card, which measures 56 distinct identifying traits with the Bertillon number tattooed on the dog's ear to prove identity during their racing career.
There are several reasons why some National Greyhound Association greyhounds may never race:
The dog is too slow.
The dog has physical defects.
The dog does not have the required temperament.
The dog has no desire to race anymore.
There are currently two online databases to easily lookup or search for all past and present registered dogs: Greyhound-Data.com and Rosnet2000.com Dogs can be searched by their Bertillon number, race name, and other attributes. Data includes dog photos, race statistics, and pedigree.
Most NGA greyhounds finish racing between two and five years of age. Some retired racing greyhounds have injuries that may follow them for the remainder of their lives, although the vast majority are healthy and can live long lives after their racing careers are over.[citation needed]

Greyhound. (2007, July 8). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:38, July 8, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Greyhound&oldid=143366863

Greyhounds as Pets

With their excellent temperaments and gentle natures, greyhounds, including retired racing greyhounds, make wonderful pets.[7] Generally even tempered and gentle, they are pack-oriented dogs which means that they will quickly adopt human "masters" into their pack. They can get along well with children, dogs and other family pets (though are sometimes not safe with smaller pet animals or untrained children). Greyhounds are generally loyal, tractable dogs with developed intellects. They are most affectionate towards those that they know and trust. To allow different greyhounds to hunt and race together, aggression towards other dogs and people has been nearly eliminated from the breed. Greyhounds bark very little,[citation needed] which makes them excellent suburban pets, and are usually as friendly to strangers as they are with their own family. The most common misconception concerning greyhounds is that they are hyperactive. It is usually the opposite. The greyhound is basically a quiet dog and will spend most of its time sleeping in a favorite spot.
Their talents include sighting and coursing. They do not have undercoats and therefore are less likely to trigger people's dog allergies (Greyhounds are sometimes incorrectly referred to as "hypoallergenic"). Not having an undercoat coupled with their lack of body fat also means they are more susceptible to extreme temperature (heat and cold). Most sources recommend that Greyhounds be housed inside.
Greyhounds are very sensitive to insecticides. Many Vets don't recommend the use of flea collars or flea spray on greyhounds unless it is a pyrethrin-based product. Products like Advantage, Frontline and Advantix are safe for use on Greyhounds and are very effective in controlling fleas and ticks.
Companion greyhounds must be kept on a leash because their hunting instinct has instilled a strong desire to chase things (predator drive see prey drive). Greyhounds can live in an urban setting but require moderate exercise on a regular basis. They enjoy walking and running outside.

Greyhound. (2007, July 8). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:38, July 8, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Greyhound&oldid=143366863

Temperamant

Although greyhounds are extremely fast, they are not high-energy dogs. They are sprinters, and although they love running, they do not require extensive exercise. Most are quiet, gentle animals. An adult greyhound will stay healthy and happy with a daily walk of as little as 20 to 30 minutes. Greyhounds are often referred to as "Forty-five mile per hour couch potatoes." The dogs often lie on their backs with all four feet in the air while sleeping, an apparently comfortable (if undignified) position. Such a greyhound is said to be "cockroaching."

Greyhound. (2007, July 8). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:38, July 8, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Greyhound&oldid=143366863

History

Popularly, the breed's origin can be traced to ancient Egypt, where a bas-relief depicting a smooth-coated Saluki (Persian Greyhound) or Sloughi was found in a tomb built in 4000 BC. Analyses of DNA reported in 2004, however, suggest that the greyhound is not closely related to these breeds, but is a close relative to herding dogs.[2][3]
Historically, these sight hounds were used primarily for hunting in the open where their keen eyesight is valuable. It is believed that they (or at least similarly-named dogs) were introduced to England in the 5th and 6th centuries BC from Celtic mainland Europe.
The name "greyhound" is generally believed to come from the Old English grighund. "Hund" is the antecedent of the modern "hound", but the meaning of "grig" is undetermined, other than in reference to dogs in Old English and Norse. Its origin does not appear to have any common root with the modern word "grey" for colour, and indeed the greyhound is seen with a wide variety of coats. The greyhound is the only dog mentioned by name in the Bible.[4]
According to Pokorny[5] the English name "greyhound" does not mean "gray dog/hound", but simply "fair dog". Subsequent words have been derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *g'her- 'shine, twinkle': English gray, Old High German gris 'grey, old', Old Icelandic griss 'piglet, pig', Old Icelandic gryja 'to dawn', gryjandi 'morning twilight', Old Irish grian 'sun', Old Church Slavonic zorja 'morning twilight, brightness'. The common sense of these words is 'to shine; bright'.

Greyhound. (2007, July 8). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:38, July 8, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Greyhound&oldid=143366863