Nerium oleander (common oleander, rose laurel). A member of the plant family APOCYNACEAE. Perennial shrub with evergreen leaves and sweet-scented white or pink flowers. Follicular fruit. Very common ornamental plant in Mediterranean areas; also grown in temperate climates, in conservatories and greenhouses.

---

Animals most affected
Cattle, sheep, goats, (horses, dogs).

---

Etiology
Ingestion of branches, stems or leaves in periods of food shortage, consumption of contaminated fodder or drinking water in which leaves have been macerated or left standing (ruminants). Chewing the leaves (dogs). Poisoning relatively rare.

---

Toxicity
Contains heterosides related to digitalis, and oleandroside, nerioside and nerianthoside. All parts of the plant are toxic.

Toxic oral doses not well known.

LD in g fresh leaves:

cattle

30-60

LD in g dried leaves:

dogs	3
cats	2.5
pigeons	3

---

Clinical Features
Occurring several minutes to 1-2 hours post-ingestion:

• severe gastric effects: vomiting, diarrhoea, colic, tenesmus, followed by
• neurological effects: agitation, convulsions and cardiac arrest.

---

Lesions
Non-specific:

• gastroenteritis;
• petechiae on the gastric and intestinal mucosae;
• generalized congestion.

---

Treatment
Often not possible. Use:

• gastric demulcents;
• sedatives, tranquillizers;
• (do not give infusions of calcium salts).