PlantFunMistletoe Toxic?
The entire mistletoe plant is toxic, containing harmful lectins (including viscumin) and viscotoxin compounds
Severe human poisoning only occurs after overdose of parenterally administered mistletoe preparations, not typical oral ingestion
Ingestion can cause serious neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms in dogs and horses, with recorded fatalities in dogs and rare deaths in horses
FAQ
Is Mistletoe toxic to Humans?
Gastrointestinal discomfort; severe poisoning (including organ damage) only reported after overdose of injectable unregulated mistletoe products (Low)
Is Mistletoe toxic to Cats?
No specific clinical symptoms documented for cats; monitor for gastrointestinal irritation, lethargy or unusual behavior if ingested (Low)
Is Mistletoe toxic to Dogs?
Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination, hypothermia, uncoordinated movement, dilated pupils, heightened sensitivity, muscle twitches, reported fatalities (Moderate)
Is Mistletoe toxic to Horses?
Colic, shortness of breath, poor coordination, rare fatalities (Moderate)
Toxicity Details
Gastrointestinal discomfort; severe poisoning (including organ damage) only reported after overdose of injectable unregulated mistletoe products
No specific clinical symptoms documented for cats; monitor for gastrointestinal irritation, lethargy or unusual behavior if ingested
Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination, hypothermia, uncoordinated movement, dilated pupils, heightened sensitivity, muscle twitches, reported fatalities
Colic, shortness of breath, poor coordination, rare fatalities
Toxicity Snapshot
First Aid & Prevention
First 30 Minutes
- • Remove any remaining plant material from the mouth of the exposed individual/animal to prevent further ingestion
- • Induce vomiting only if ingestion occurred within the last 2 hours and the subject is fully conscious
- • Collect a sample of the ingested plant to share with medical/veterinary providers for accurate diagnosis
Contact Vet Immediately
- • If a dog, horse or other pet/livestock has ingested any quantity of mistletoe
- • If you observe abnormal symptoms including uncoordinated movement, breathing difficulty or persistent vomiting after ingestion
- • If an individual has received an unregulated injectable mistletoe product and shows adverse reactions
Prevention
- • Keep decorative mistletoe items out of reach of children, pets and livestock
- • Avoid using unapproved injectable mistletoe therapeutic products not cleared by regulatory authorities
- • Clearly label mistletoe decorative pieces as toxic to prevent accidental ingestion
Treatment & Prognosis
- • Administer decontamination measures including activated charcoal or gastric lavage to reduce toxic compound absorption
- • Provide symptomatic supportive care including fluid therapy, temperature regulation and neurological symptom control as needed
- • Monitor organ function for 24-48 hours post-exposure to catch delayed adverse effects
Professional Toxicology
• Lectins (including viscumin) inhibit cellular protein synthesis, leading to cell death and tissue damage
• Viscotoxins disrupt cell membrane function, causing irritation, inflammation and organ dysfunction
Information from CliniTox veterinary text.
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Data Sources
This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.