Polka Dot Begonia

Symptoms reported in cats

Most serious first.

1. 1
   Drooling, redness around the mouth, oral sores, lip licking, and burning sensation Immediate. · This immediate irritation is caused by the calcium oxalates within the plant. Because the very first bite produces such an unpleasant and painful sensation in the mouth and throat, cats are usually deterred from taking more than one bite.
2. 2
   Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) Immediate to shortly after chewing. · This is a direct physical response to the intense irritation, pain, and potential swelling in the mouth and throat caused by the plant's toxins.
3. 3
   Vomiting, disinterest in food and water (anorexia), and difficulty eating Shortly after ingestion. · The cat will often vomit to rid its stomach of the irritating plant material6. In most cases, these symptoms are relatively mild and naturally clear up within about two days.

Important notes

Polka Dot Begonia (Begonia maculata) is an attractive houseplant known for its silver-spotted leaves, but it is toxic to cats. The plant contains soluble calcium oxalates, with the highest concentration hidden underground in the roots and tubers. The leaves and trailing stems also carry these toxins, though in lower amounts. When a cat bites into the plant, the oxalates act as an immediate chemical irritant. This causes an intense burning sensation in the mouth and throat. Because the pain happens right away, most cats will stop chewing before they swallow a dangerous amount. Systemic effects after eating large amounts of root are uncommon in cats; when they do occur, they involve the kidneys (reported mainly in grazing animals), not the liver. Common signs of exposure include heavy drooling, redness around the mouth, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. Symptoms from just chewing a leaf are usually mild. Keep this plant out of reach, and contact a veterinarian if your cat eats the roots or if their mouth discomfort does not improve.

• Toxic compounds: soluble calcium oxalates; tubers and roots most concentrated; leaves carry lower levels
• Mechanism: soluble oxalates irritate the gastrointestinal lining and, in large quantities, may contribute to kidney crystal formation
• Symptoms: vomiting, drooling, and GI upset from leaf ingestion; more severe GI symptoms if tubers are chewed
• Decorative aspects (trailing stems, spotted leaves) may attract cats — keep out of reach
• Symptoms are generally mild with leaf exposure; contact your vet if tubers were ingested