Bittersweet nightshade is highly toxic for dogs
Solanum dulcamara 
The bittersweet nightshade is a perennial, climbing shrub that can reach about 2-3 metres in height. The light green leaves can vary in size (2.5-7 cm) and even in shape. They can be ovate or heart-shaped. The small (approx. 2 cm diameter) flowers are star-shaped and can appear white, red or purple. The fruits are bright red berries that are about 1.5 cm in diameter.
All parts of the bittersweet nightshade are strongly poisonous to dogs. The bittersweet nightshade contains solanines and saponins that are highly toxic to dogs.
Bittersweet nightshade is also known as:
- bittersweet
- bitter nightshade
- blue bindweed
- Amara Dulcis
- climbing nightshade
- fellenwort
- felonwood
- poisonberry
- poisonflower
- scarlet berry
- snakeberry
- trailing bittersweet
- trailing nightshade
- violet bloom
- woody nightshade
What should I do if my dog ate Bittersweet nightshade?
How toxic is Bittersweet nightshade?
| Toxicity: | (highly toxic) |
| Toxic parts: | All parts of the bittersweet nightshade are highly toxic. |
| Toxic time: | spring, summer, autumn |
| Antidote: | Unknown |
If your dog shows symptoms of poisoning, it is always an emergency! Time is critical for your dog's life. You should immediately call your vet or the animal emergency services and make sure that a vet is on site and then go there immediately. For the treatment, it helps the vet a lot to know what your dog has ingested.
Occurrence Bittersweet nightshade
| Plant species: | flower, Shrub |
| Occurrence: | Gardens, Parks, Forests |
| Areas: | Central Europe |
| Flowering time: | summer, autumn |
| Fruit ripening: | summer, autumn |
Symptoms
The following symptoms may occur in case of poisoning with bittersweet nightshade:
- increased salivation
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
- diarrhoea
In case of severe poisoning, the following additional symptoms may occur:
- faintness
- movement and consciousness disorders up to coma
- heart problems
- circulatory collapse
Treatment
The vet will always try to remove the ingested poison from the body and alleviate the specific symptoms of poisoning.
There are different methods to remove the poison from the body:
1. ACTIVATED CHARCOAL: Activated charcoal can absorb toxins. If possible, it should be administered within 2 hours after ingestion of the poison, so that the toxin does not enter the bloodstream.
2. LAXATIVES: The vet may combine the administration of activated charcoal with a laxative.
3. VOMITING: The vet can also induce vomiting using medication to remove the toxin from the body.
In case of severe poisoning, the vet may administer additional infusions and anti-nausea medication.
More information on dog poisonings can be found here:
Preventing, identifying and treating poisoning in dogs
Further poisonous plants from A to Z
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