Well, today started as a lovely gardening day - something I haven’t been able to do for months due to studying, glorious weather, excellent. Kipper was helping me by generally mooching about, being fabulous and sticking his nose in everything. And as careful as I thought I was, like an idiot I turned my back for 2 seconds and Kipper had an envelope in his mouth - foxglove seeds I’d collected last year. He’d ripped a corner off but decided he didn’t like it so dropped the envelope and was asking for a treat for being so good. I phone the UK Poisons Helpline (costs £30 a call but excellent) who said tiny amount, big dog - either monitor for low heart rate, abdominal pain or other symptoms; or take to the vet to induce vomiting and take charcoal. So I took him to the vet- poor Kipper was very sick and kept trying to say ‘I’m fine, really’ with a low tail wag before the next round of bile came up. He’s now feeling much perkier and hoping we’ll feed him soon. Bleurgh all round, poor little fella and again, my fault. Seed planting is now firmly off the agenda for Kipper.
Digitalis seeds...
- Thread starter HAH
- Start date
Yep they are pretty nasty, you have to be careful handling them to as they can make your heart rate change even if you just crush the leaves when planting them out
- Location
- East Sussex
Oh no, poor Kipper - and a horrible experience for you too.
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
Oh crikey - poor Kipper and poor you. You took the right actions
I took our foxgloves out last year. Red ate leaves and chunks of soil so I tried to minimise a lot of things as I couldn’t trust her not to sample things. She picked up on my anxieties and so I thought it better to just not have certain things in the garden. It’s not easy - we have lots of self sown sweet peas and lots of cyclamen and various other plants that are poisonous. I really hope she will be better this year. All the bulbs are either flowering (crocus) or about to (daffodils). I have the UK Poisons Helpline in my phone.
I took our foxgloves out last year. Red ate leaves and chunks of soil so I tried to minimise a lot of things as I couldn’t trust her not to sample things. She picked up on my anxieties and so I thought it better to just not have certain things in the garden. It’s not easy - we have lots of self sown sweet peas and lots of cyclamen and various other plants that are poisonous. I really hope she will be better this year. All the bulbs are either flowering (crocus) or about to (daffodils). I have the UK Poisons Helpline in my phone.
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Oh no ! Poor you , so easily done though Harriet , we`ve all been there, little devils !! As an aside I`m not planting anything out this year, its just not worth it . Big hugs for you xx
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Now that was a near miss, sounds like you took all the right actions quickly. It happens so easily doesn't it?
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
It's frightening how easily something like that can happen. It's lucky that you caught Kipper with the envelope in his mouth otherwise you might not have realised that he'd had it. Glad that he's looking perkier now.
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Great thinking, well done with your actions. So many people wouldn't even realise there was a potential problem, so you did wonderfully 
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
Poor Kipper, how awful Very quick thinking saves the day. I hope you are both OK. xxx
Very quick thinking saves the day. I hope you are both OK. xxx 
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Oh dear.Good call though
Hope you are okay!
Hope you are okay!
- Location
- South Manchester England
Late to this (also out in the garden) poor Kipper but as others have said good call. Hope he is ok overnight, suspect your quick action has done the trick. He’ll be getting loads of sympathy on the ‘kennel club’
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
Well done, you did all the right things xx
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
I would never have thought about the seeds causing a problem! Can't believe myself! Poor Kipper, it must be horrible to be made to be sick, but the only way. A friend collected loads and loads of digitalis seeds and we planted hundreds of them is a seed tray!
I know, it was only a little voice in the back of my head saying ‘ALL parts of the digitalis plant are toxic...’ that made me think of phoning the Poison Line. I totally sympathised with all the feelings Kipper went through, poor fella - but he’s bright as a button now thank goodness
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
Thank goodness that all is well that ends well.
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Just catching up....how horrible for you both @HAH. So glad Kipper is ok
I had to read your comment 7 times before it sunk in 'I phone the UK Poisons Helpline (costs £30 a call but excellent)'. I would think a Poison Line would be free? You know, to save lives and stuff? Ours is free but I've never used it so no idea if it is any good nor do I know if they would have information on poisons for dogs
I had to read your comment 7 times before it sunk in 'I phone the UK Poisons Helpline (costs £30 a call but excellent)'. I would think a Poison Line would be free? You know, to save lives and stuff? Ours is free but I've never used it so no idea if it is any good nor do I know if they would have information on poisons for dogs
Glad it all is well for the both of you.
(I did read it as Digital seeds a few times, so was wondering what they where.. now I know)
(I did read it as Digital seeds a few times, so was wondering what they where.. now I know)
