Toxic to cats · Plants

Is Jessamine toxic to cats?

Extreme severity No safe amount — No amount is considered safe.

Yes. Even a small amount can be life-threatening — treat any exposure as an emergency and contact a vet immediately.

Symptoms to watch for

  • muscle weakness
  • paralysis
  • decreased respiratory rate
  • hypothermia
  • difficulty swallowing
  • difficulty breathing
  • vision problems
  • seizures
  • death

How vets treat it

Immediate veterinary intervention is required for stabilization, respiratory support, and decontamination if ingestion is recent.

Why it's dangerous

The plant contains neurotoxic alkaloids that disrupt the nervous system, leading to muscle paralysis and respiratory depression.

Toxic compound: alkaloids, gelsemine, and sempervirine

Good to know

All parts of this trailing vine are toxic. It is commonly found in the southeastern region of North America.

Sources

This page is informational and is not veterinary advice. If your pet has been exposed to something risky, contact your vet or an animal poison control line right away.

More substances toxic to cats

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