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“It was a heart-wrenching experience that no pet owner should have to go through,” Caitlin Roberts said
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Caitlin Roberts’ chihuahua Cooper nearly died after ingesting a hosta plant, which is toxic to dogs
The 25-year-old, from England, has started a petition for mandatory plant toxicity labels on plants to help protect pets
She spent around $8,100 on Cooper’s care and says the incident left her dog with lifelong health complications
A U.K. dog owner is pushing for the government to display warning labels on plants after her 18-month-old dog nearly died after ingesting a species toxic to canines.
Caitlin Roberts, from Tamworth in England (approximately 130 miles north of London), said her chihuahua, Cooper, became seriously ill and needed major surgery in May.
The 25-year-old told the BBC that he had stopped eating, was vomiting up foam, and was shaking. It is believed that Cooper had eaten a hosta, a common plant found in gardens and parks.
Hostas, also known as plantain lilies, are toxic to dogs, and even ingesting a small amount of the plant can cause gastrointestinal upset, according to Emergency Vets USA.
The organization said that signs of hosta poisoning in dogs include excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, stomach gurgling, flatulence, decreased appetite and weakness.
“I think for me, it’s the guilt of like he spent days in pain because we couldn’t find an answer,” Roberts told the outlet in an Instagram video. “I mean, how do you forgive yourself for that?”
“I think you forget, like, they’re not just dogs, are they? They’re like your babies,” she added.
She started a Change.org petition to mandate that retailers of indoor and outdoor plants display “clear labels on plant toxicity and to include the Animal Poison Line UK number on the label for emergency use.”
The animal lover explained that Cooper’s diagnosis was delayed because the toxin did not show up on his blood tests.
“It was a heart-wrenching experience that no pet owner should have to go through,” she shared.
Roberts, who is currently on maternity leave, claimed she had spent £6,000 ($8,100) on Cooper’s care, medication and specialist food.
She had just changed insurance providers and was unable to claim the costs back. Instead, her family used their savings to help save her pet, per the BBC.
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She said her 18-month-old pup will have lifelong complications after the incident.
Roberts said in her petition that by introducing mandatory toxin labeling on plants, “we can raise awareness and ensure that pet safety is prioritized throughout the nation.”
“It is a small step that could mean the difference between life and death for thousands of pets,” she said.
Tulips, lily of the valley, Japanese yew, sago palm, oleander and philodendrons are just a few of the other plants and flowers that are toxic to dogs, according to the Altadena Pet Hospital.
Read the original article on People
