Horse Chestnut
Aesculus glabra · Sapindaceae
How it looks
Horse Chestnut is a deciduous tree with large palmately divided leaves of 5-7 lobes arranged opposite. In spring, white flowers bloom in large conical clusters, and in autumn a spiny leathery fruit holds a round brown seed (horse chestnut) inside. It reaches 33-82 ft (10-25 m) tall.
Dangerous — severe vomiting and diarrhea, progressing to seizures
Eating Ohio buckeye brings severe vomiting and diarrhea, followed by dilated pupils, weakness, and an unsteady gait, and it can progress to seizures and coma. If your cat chewed any of it, contact your vet immediately.
If ingested
Contact your nearest vet immediately
- Action
- Rinse the mouth with water and monitor. Consult a vet if symptoms last more than 12 hours.
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, Diarrhea, Depression, Excitement, Dilated pupils, Weakness, Incoordination, Seizures, Coma
- Onset (typical course)
- Right away to within 2 hours of ingestion
Guide for parents
Ohio buckeye isn't a tree to shrug off as "a little chewing is fine." Ingestion brings severe vomiting and diarrhea, with depression or excitement and dilated pupils. An unsteady gait follows, and it can progress to seizures and coma.
Make a habit of clearing away fallen leaves or broken stems the same day, and keep the pot somewhere your cat can't reach.
If there's any sign your cat chewed or swallowed it, go to the vet right away even if symptoms look mild. Don't induce vomiting at home, and tell the vet which part was eaten and how much.
Details
- Scientific name
- Aesculus glabra
- Common name
- Horse Chestnut
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Toxic parts
- All parts
- Compounds
- Unknown
- Source
- ASPCA cats plant list
Related plants
Same plant family· Sapindaceae
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