A single leaf can trigger a medical emergency. That is not a horror-movie exaggeration. It is the reality of oleander, a flowering shrub that lines driveways, brightens front yards, and decorates countless Southern landscapes.
Across warmer states, veterinarians continue to warn pet owners about the risks tied to this plant. Reports of dogs and cats experiencing seizures, vomiting, and dangerous heart rhythm changes after chewing on oleander have raised serious concerns. The plant looks innocent enough with its clusters of pink, red, or white blossoms, but its beauty hides a potent chemical defense system that does not care whether the intruder has paws.
