Latest news with #veterinarian
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Poisoning prompts urgent plea to Aussies over invasive backyard plant
A poisoning has prompted a plea to Aussies to be aware of the grim truth lurking behind the alluring appearance of a 'pretty' plant often found on roadsides. While it might look like a harmless succulent, mother-of-millions — an invasive weed that escaped from suburban backyards — poses a serious risk to humans, pets, wildlife and livestock. The plant, native to Madagascar, is known for its striking red flowers that emerge every winter, however the blooms have a less than attractive side. The flowers are 'extremely toxic' to cattle, which 'often seek out alternative food sources when seasonal conditions impact pastures', a spokesperson for NSW's Local Land Services (LLS) told Yahoo News. A case of mother-of-millions poisoning in livestock was recently identified by a LLS veterinarian near Gravesend in the state's north west, the spokesperson explained, prompting a warning from the government agency. 'Cattle are the usual victims of poisonings,' the organisation posted online, adding ingesting even a small amount can cause diarrhoea, drooling, loss in appetite and death from heart failure. Livestock poisonings occur more frequently during the cooler months when 'plants are flowering, and frosts and dry weather have reduced palatable feed'. Popular backyard plant causes sudden death in livestock Mother-of-millions is also toxic to pets — especially dogs — and humans, but it's unlikely either would eat enough to become poisoned, according to NSW WeedWise. 'While mother-of-millions poisoning is uncommon, it can cause sudden death in livestock,' the LLS spokesperson told Yahoo. 'Livestock can die quite rapidly depending on the amount ingested and they can continue to die for a number of days after removal from the source. 'Landholders are encouraged to regularly inspect their properties and learn how to identify weeds such as mother-of-millions using NSW WeedWise, and report any new weed incursions to the Local Control Authority.' Invasive mother-of-millions can 'spread rapidly' Mother-of-millions, which was historically planted in gardens due to its ornamental qualities, is a declared weed in Queensland, but it's also considered a problem species in NSW and the Northern Territory, Imogen Ebsworth, the Invasive Species Council's (ISC) engagement director, told Yahoo. 'It spreads rapidly and can quickly take over natural areas if it escapes gardens,' she said. 'Because it's still legally sold and traded in many places, it's slipping under the radar — most Australians don't think of succulents as weeds.' However, experts are taking the plant very seriously. 'It was nominated as a Weed of National Significance, which is reserved for species with the potential to cause major environmental and economic damage,' Ebsworth explained. Following an assessment process, the species was not included. Mother-of-millions remains a weed of potential national significance and is widely distributed in the country's east. It can also be found in Victoria and parts of southern and Western Australia. The plant is frequently introduced to new areas in dumped garden waste and spreads in waterways or flood events. It is commonly found growing on sandy soils and disturbed sites such as roadsides, fence lines, and rubbish tips 🌱 Council's warning as popular plant sprouts up in 'hectic' location Aussies urged to dig up invasive plant that becomes 'very difficult to remove' 🏙️ Aussies told to check their backyards as popular plant 'infests' major city Calls to remove toxic weed from nurseries Ebsworth told Yahoo the ISC would 'love to see mother-of-millions removed from sale across the country'. 'Escaped garden plants are the primary source of new weeds in Australia,' she said, noting three-quarters of all listed weeds started out as ornamentals. She described the status quo as "a regulatory failure". "To date, self-regulation has failed. We are relying on everyday Australians to either have a botany degree or realise they need to research legally sold plants to find out if they are a weed. That's a system designed to fail.' In the meantime, Aussies are encouraged 'to be really careful' and refrain from tossing garden cuttings. 'Don't share or swap it, and if you need to dispose of it, bag it up securely and put it in the bin, not the compost,' Ebsworth you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Washington Post
a day ago
- Health
- Washington Post
Ask a Vet: How do I know when it's time to say goodbye to my pet?
Q: How do I know when it is time to say goodbye to a pet? A: Choosing when to let go is one of the most difficult decisions pet owners face. The timing differs for every owner-animal relationship, depending on your pet's medical condition, the strength of your bond, your resources for caring for them at home, and your access to veterinary care. Ultimately the decision is yours, but your veterinarian, trusted friends and family, and licensed mental health professionals can help.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Plea to Aussies after 'pretty' roadside find leads to poisoning
A poisoning has prompted a plea to Aussies to be aware of the grim truth lurking behind the alluring appearance of a 'pretty' plant often found on roadsides. While it might look like a harmless succulent, mother-of-millions — an invasive weed that escaped from suburban gardens — poses a serious risk to humans, pets, wildlife and livestock. The plant, native to Madagascar, is known for its striking red flowers that emerge every winter, however the blooms have a less than attractive side. The flowers are 'extremely toxic' to cattle, which 'often seek out alternative food sources when seasonal conditions impact pastures', a spokesperson for NSW's Local Land Services (LLS) told Yahoo News. A case of mother-of-millions poisoning in livestock was recently identified by a LLS veterinarian near Gravesend in the state's north west, the spokesperson explained, prompting a warning from the government agency. 'Cattle are the usual victims of poisonings,' the organisation posted online, adding ingesting even a small amount can cause diarrhoea, drooling, loss in appetite and death from heart failure. Livestock poisonings occur more frequently during the cooler months when 'plants are flowering, and frosts and dry weather have reduced palatable feed'. Invasive plant causes sudden death in livestock Mother-of-millions is also toxic to pets — especially dogs — and humans, although incidents of poisoning in the latter are unlikely. 'While mother-of-millions poisoning is uncommon, it can cause sudden death in livestock,' the LLS spokesperson told Yahoo. 'Livestock can die quite rapidly depending on the amount ingested and they can continue to die for a number of days after removal from the source. 'Landholders are encouraged to regularly inspect their properties and learn how to identify weeds such as mother-of-millions using NSW WeedWise, and report any new weed incursions to the Local Control Authority.' Mother-of-millions can 'spread rapidly' if it escapes gardens Mother-of-millions, which was historically planted in gardens due to its ornamental qualities, is a declared weed in Queensland, but it's also considered a problem species in NSW and the Northern Territory, Imogen Ebsworth, the Invasive Species Council's (ISC) engagement director, told Yahoo. 'It spreads rapidly and can quickly take over natural areas if it escapes gardens,' she said. 'Because it's still legally sold and traded in many places, it's slipping under the radar — most Australians don't think of succulents as weeds.' However, experts are taking the plant very seriously. 'It was nominated as a Weed of National Significance, which is reserved for species with the potential to cause major environmental and economic damage,' Ebsworth explained. Following an assessment process, the species was not included. Mother-of-millions remains a weed of potential national significance and is widely distributed in the country's east. It can also be found in Victoria and parts of southern and Western Australia. It is introduced to new areas in dumped garden waste and spreads in waterways or flood events. 🌱 Council's warning as popular plant sprouts up in 'hectic' location Aussies urged to dig up invasive plant that becomes 'very difficult to remove' 🏙️ Aussies told to check their backyards as popular plant 'infests' major city Calls to remove toxic weed from Bunnings, nurseries Ebsworth told Yahoo the ISC would 'love to see mother-of-millions removed from sale across the country'. 'Escaped garden plants are the primary source of new weeds in Australia,' she said, noting three-quarters of all listed weeds started out as ornamentals. 'That's not a Bunnings problem or a rogue nursery problem — it's a regulatory failure. To date, self-regulation has failed. We are relying on everyday Australians to either have a botany degree or realise they need to research legally sold plants to find out if they are a weed. That's a system designed to fail.' In the meantime, Aussies are encouraged 'to be really careful' and refrain from tossing garden cuttings. 'Don't share or swap it, and if you need to dispose of it, bag it up securely and put it in the bin, not the compost,' Ebsworth said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
CBS News
5 days ago
- CBS News
2 dogs died inside hot car with closed windows in Massachusetts, police say; 2 women charged
Two women have been charged with animal cruelty in Bridgewater, Massachusetts after police said two dogs died inside a hot car on Wednesday. Police were called to a condo on Heather Lane shortly after 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday after getting a 911 call reporting two women screaming and crying outside the building. When police arrived, they said they found two dead medium-sized dogs lying on the ground near a walkway. The 59-year-old woman and 32-year-old woman, both of Bridgewater, had allegedly left the dogs inside a hot car for more than 90 minutes with the windows closed and no air conditioning. The two women allegedly took the dogs out of the car and tried to revive them before police were called. Bridgewater firefighters determined the temperature inside the car at the time was at least 130 degrees. Police said their investigation also revealed the dogs had also been living in unsanitary conditions inside the home. Both women will be summoned to Brockton District Court on charges of cruelty to animals and confinement of an animal in a motor vehicle causing exposure to extreme heat. The women aren't being identified but police said they're related. The two dogs, a 4-year-old male and a 2-year-old female, were taken to a veterinarian's office for a necropsy. "This is a really terrible tragedy that was truly preventable," said Bridgewater Police Chief Christopher Delmonte at a news conference Thursday. "In extreme conditions, particularly under direct sunlight, we know that vehicles can heat up very, very quickly and so our advice to people is obviously make your pets a priority as well as your own family," said Delmonte. "But in making them a priority, make sure you're accounting for the conditions that may sneak up on you." In 2016, then-Gov. Charlie Baker signed a law that allows people to rescue animals trapped in hot cars without facing charges if they believe the animals are in imminent danger.
CBC
15-07-2025
- CBC
Toronto police arrest 2 people after dog allegedly dragged by moving car
Toronto police have arrested two people in connection with a case in which a dog was allegedly dragged by a moving vehicle. Police say they were called to the area of Yonge Street and North York Boulevard shortly before 1 p.m. on Monday. According to a news release Tuesday, the same leash was connected to the collars of two dogs, at which point the woman allegedly removed one dog from the car before continuing to drive. The dog outside the vehicle was "being dragged as the vehicle continued," police say, while "the second dog in the vehicle was being pulled by the force." Police say bystanders intervened and called for help. A 54-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman were arrested and have been charged with willful cruelty to an animal. Both were scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning. Police say the dogs were taken to a veterinarian to receive treatment.
