I will tell you my experience with poisons and pets.  My puppy, Nikki, got into my husbands MS pills.  I heard a strange noise, came out to the living room, and there was my  golden;  little while pills were scattered all about her paws.  I instantly called the vet, changed from my pj's and ran out the door.  That took less then 5 minutes. She was already seizing.  It took a miracle and a kitten to bring her back to life.  The kitten is another story all together.  My golden was at the vets all day, and overnight. 

She came within a "centimeter of dying"...  So, please, if you know your pet ingested something poisonous.  Call your vet instantly.  It's what saved my Nikki.

Sources and Additional Readings

Aglaonema: CHINESE EVERGREEN

Anthurium: ANTHURIUM

Arisaema: JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT, GREEN DRAGON

Caladium: ELEPHANT EARS

Colocasia: TARO

Dieffenbachia: DUMBCANE

Monstera: CUT-LEAF PHILODENDRON, CERIMAN, MEXICAN BREADFRUIT

Philodendron: PHILODENDRON

Scindapsus: DEVIL'S-IVY, POTHOS

Symplocarpus foetidus: SKUNKCABBAGE

Syngonium: TRI-LEAF WONDER, ARROWHEAD VINE, NEPTHYTIS

TOXICITY RATING: Moderate. Pets may sample these commonly available plants with a nibble or two, but rarely ingest any quantity sufficient to cause serious problems or death. Risk increases with hungry or bored animals housed in close proximity to these plants.

ANIMALS AFFECTED: Any animal that chews or ingests the leaves will be affected. In Indiana, nearly all of these plants would be grown as houseplants, therefore pets (including birds and reptiles) are primarily at risk.

DANGEROUS PARTS OF PLANT: Roots, leaves, stems.

CLASS OF SIGNS: Mouth and throat irritation, salivating, possibly stomach irritation, diarrhea (rarely).

PLANT DESCRIPTION: All 2,000 species of this family of plants should be treated as potentially toxic. A few are eaten, such as poi and taro (Colocasia esculenta) in Hawaii, but only after the poison is eliminated by cooking. Seven species of aroids occur naturally in Indiana, mostly in wet areas. Jack-in-the-pulpit and skunkcabbage are the most common and best known of these. Dumbcane (fig. 3), pothos, and philodendron are potted plants of offices, restaurant lobbies, and homes.

Aroids are perennials, many arising from corms or rhizomes. Some may be vines. The large net-veined leaves, which may have white or colored spots, are borne on leaf stalks that sheathe the stem. Most of these plants have simple leaves, but jack-in-the-pulpit has three-parted foliage (fig. 19). The aroid flower is a fleshy green, white, or yellow spike (spadix) borne inside a wraparound hood or bract (spathe). The fruits are brightly colored berries, borne in tight clusters, not often produced by the house plant species.

SIGNS: The plant cells contain needle-like crystal of insoluble calcium oxalate which penetrate the skin and mouth causing discomfort. In addition, the plants contain proteolytic enzymes which release histamine and kinins, causing swelling and an itching or burning sensation. Affected animals will shake their head, paw or rub the face and mouth, may salivate or foam at the mouth, may seek water, or may have visible swelling. Very severely affected animals may experience oral swelling to the point that swallowing and breathing become impaired. Typically, animals are not severely affected, since a few bites of the plants are often a sufficient deterrent to further consumption. Occasional reports of these plants causing kidney failure in cats have not been well-verified. Effects in cats appear to be limited to the signs described above. Some of these plants have been used with humans to prevent individuals from talking by causing excessive tongue swelling, hence the name "dumbcane".

FIRST AID: For minor irritation, provide supportive care and prevent further exposure. For more severe signs, if the animal does not improve within a few minutes, or if swallowing or breathing is impaired, consult a veterinarian immediately.

English Ivy

Hedera helix

(ginseng family)

TOXICITY RATING: Low. Although reported to be very toxic in a few scattered reports, this is not a frequently encountered toxicosis.

ANIMALS AFFECTED: Cats, dogs, birds, other pets.

DANGEROUS PARTS OF PLANT: Leaves, berries.

CLASS OF SIGNS: Oral irritation, stomach irritation, diarrhea, breathing problems, coma, death.

PLANT DESCRIPTION: The vines that give many colleges their "halls of ivy" appearance may be poisonous. These woody vines, also used as groundcovers, have alternate, palmately-lobed, dark green leaves with lighter green veins (fig. 5). Flowers are uncommon but are borne in small umbrella-like clusters and produce small black berries.

SIGNS: A saponic glycoside, the aglycone hederagenin, is found in the leaves and berries. This is an uncommon poisoning, but incidents have been reported in dogs, cats, and pet monkeys, especially when the green berries were eaten. The most common signs relate to mouth and stomach irritation, but coma and death may occur if large quantities are consumed.

FIRST AID: There is no specific antidote. If animals are observed eating English ivy, contact a veterinarian immediately, especially if a large quantity of the plant was consumed. A bite or two of a leaf is not likely to cause a serious problem, but this should be discouraged.

Catnip

PLANT DESCRIPTION: Catnip (fig. 7) has all the characteristic earmarks of a member of the mint family: stems square in cross-section, leaves opposite and fragrant, and small flowers in tight clusters at the ends of branches. This perennial herb may grow up to 3 feet tall and be highly branched. The gray-green to green leaves are heart-shaped with scalloped edges and are often crowded toward the top of the plant. The flowers are white, dotted with purple, two-lipped, and produce four tiny, dark nutlets per flower.

SIGNS: Only cats are affected, and some cats are affected more than others. Aromatic oils and the monoterpene, nepetalactone, cause the signs. Cats will rub and sometime ingest the plant, and then act "drunk" or "wild" for up to an hour or more. No lasting toxicity is reported. If excessive amounts are ingested, vomiting and diarrhea can result, but the signs are self-limiting. Catnip can be considered as a legal recreational drug for cats!

FIRST AID: None is required.

Poinsettia pulcherrima (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

(spurge family)

TOXICITY RATING: Low.

ANIMALS AFFECTED: All animals can be affected, but pets are more likely to come into contact with Poinsettia than are livestock.

DANGEROUS PARTS OF PLANT: Leaves and stems primarily, but all parts may be toxic.

CLASS OF SIGNS: Skin, mouth, eye, and stomach irritation.

PLANT DESCRIPTION: People commonly display this potted plant (fig. 8) in houses and offices in the wintertime. These 1 to 4 feet tall plants with yellow stems bear alternate, coarsely toothed, smooth, green leaves. The top leaves turn red. Although many people mistake them for petals, they function as "bracts", calling attention to the true flowers which are tiny, yellow, and clustered at the top of the plant. The inconspicuous fruits are small, green, three-lobed, fleshy capsules.

SIGNS: The milky sap (a latex) is irritating to skin, eyes, and mucus membranes. Once considered extremely poisonous, toxicity is more likely to manifest as irritation, discomfort, rash, and stomach upset. Nausea and vomiting may occur if sufficient quantities are consumed. Typically, animals will show head-shaking, salivation, and pawing or rubbing at the mouth or eyes.

FIRST AID: Wash sap off the animal to prevent further ingestion. Call a veterinarian if the eyes are affected, or if signs do not resolve in a few minutes.

PREVENTION: Poinsettia should not be allowed near curious animals.

Lilium longiflorum

Lily family

TOXICITY RATING: High.

ANIMALS AFFECTED: The only reported toxicity is in cats.

DANGEROUS PARTS OF PLANT: Leaves primarily, stems and flowers may also be toxic.

CLASS OF SIGNS: Gastrointestinal irritation (vomiting), depression, lack of appetite.

PLANT DESCRIPTION: (I need to get this to you)

SIGNS: This is a newly reported toxicosis, apparently lethal only to cats. Upon consumption of Easter lily (the exact amount is unknown), the cats begin to vomit within an hour or so. The cat then becomes depressed over the next half day, presumably as the toxin begins to affect the kidneys. Within 48 to 96 hours after consumption, the cat will tend to show signs of clinical kidney failure: increased urination, depression, stomach upset, dehydration. Death tends to occur within 5 days.

FIRST AID: If a cat is seen eating Easter lily, contact a veterinarian immediately. If emergency treatment is begun within 6 hours of consumption, the chance are good that the cat will recover. This generally consists of emptying the gastrointestinal tract of the affected cat and intravenous fluid therapy in a hospital setting. If more than 18 hours has elapsed, the cat may not survive, even with emergency care.

PREVENTION: Easter lily is a popular plant at certain times of the year, and extra caution must be used when bringing these plants into the house where cats can get at them. Make sure the plant is kept away from cats, especially ones that like to nibble on things. If nibbling plants is unavoidable, have a selection of safe plants available (grass or catnip are two possibilities).

From the ASPCA