Dog ate euphorbia Euphorbia trigona, more commonly known as the African Milk Tree or Cathedral Cactus, is a striking succulent belonging to the Euphorbia or Spurge family. Known for its distinctive candelabra-like form, it features upright, green stems with ridges adorned with small, reddish-brown spines and occasional leaves. This plant is admired for its striking architectural form and ease of care, making it a popular plant in many households.

Like other Euphorbia species, this plant produces a milky white sap when its stems or leaves are damaged. Pets that chew on these plants can develop mouth irritation or an immediate burning sensation of their lips, tongue and throat. Affected animals may start drooling and vomiting will often occur if the plant material has been swallowed. Skin that comes into contact with the sap frequently becomes red and inflamed, with reports of dogs developing blisters and burns of the skin after rolling amongst plant material. Eye exposure to the sap is of greatest concern, typically resulting in severe irritation and potentially ulceration of the eye.

Pet owners should be mindful to:

✅ Ensure broken branches or leaves are cleared away after pruning.
✅ Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling these plants prior to touching their pets.
✅ Consider fencing off areas in the backyard where toxic plants can be found to prevent accidental exposures.

The Animal Poisons Helpline provides free advice to pet owners in Australia and can be reached on ☎️ 1300 869 738 (AU), 0800 869 738 (NZ) , 3106 4216 (SG), (917) 722-5958 (US) or +1917-722-5958 (CA). Don’t miss the next pet poisons alert. Visit animalpoisons.com.au/stay-up-to-date to subscribe to our mailing list and receive updates and alerts directly to your inbox. If you are a member of a veterinary team you can join the Animal Poisons Centre For Vets Facebook group which is regularly updated with toxicology tidbits and poisoning trends.