Yahoo Group Post

This information was on one of the Great Dane Groups that I'm on. I thought that it maybe helpful to post it on Gunther's blog.

STRANGE FRUIT: SEASONAL PRODUCE THAT CAN HARM YOUR PETSCherries and lemons and apples, oh my! While spring and summer fruits are goodfor you, certain parts of these seasonal offerings can be potentiallyirritating—and in some situations, occasionally toxic—to companion animals.According to our experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), thepeels, fruit and seeds of citrus plants such as lemons, oranges, limes andgrapefruits contain varying amounts of citric acid, limonin and volatile oilsthat can cause gastrointestinal irritation and result in vomiting and diarrhea.As for apples, cherries, peaches and apricots, their stems, leaves and seedscontain cyanogenic glycosides that have the potential to cause vomiting and lossof appetite—and in severe cases, weakness, difficulty breathing,hyperventilation, shock and even death.“Typically, these severe effects develop from very large ingestions of plantmaterial, more likely to occur with grazing animals such as horses or otherlivestock,” says the APCC’s Dana Farbman, CVT. “The consumption of a fewsegments of citrus fruit, an apple or two, or a few cherries would usually notbe expected to cause serious problems beyond perhaps minor stomach upset.However, it is important for animal owners to be aware of the potential forproblems that these fruit trees can produce.”As a companion animal owner, it’s always a good idea to become familiar withdifferent types of plants in and around the home—and make sure that potentiallypoisonous species are not accessible to your pets. For lists of both safe andpotentially toxic plants, please visit ASPCA online