Lobelia and Dogs?

[Wendy DykStudent]

I apologize if this would be better posted in the vet forum, but I’m curious about the lobelia in the Poultice Formula and it’s safety for dogs.
My son’s dog was hit by a car a couple days ago, and Praise God she is going to be okay, but has some wounds to heal from.  I immediately thought of the Poultice for both her internal and external injuries.  I double checked the safety of all the herbs first in the veterinary section and saw lobelia as possibly toxic to dogs.  Is it low enough of a dose in the formula to be safe?

Since I was unsure and wanted to help her ASAP, I’m just giving her a combo of comfrey, calendula and yarrow since that is what I have, along with the Stroke formula and fish oil for her head injury.

Does anyone else have experience using the Poultice internally in a dog?

Thanks in advance!

[Greg BoggsStudent]

Lobelia is toxic to everyone, a common name for it is Pukeweed because, well, if you take too much of it you’ll puke. Good news though is that it’s pretty safe until you get to that point, if you keep feeding lobelia after they start vomiting, that’s when they will die. So, before puking – good, after puking – very bad.

[Wendy DykStudentTopic Author]

Thank you Greg! Yes, I am very aware of how lobelia effects humans and what to watch for, but my concern is that as Doc says, it’s a lot easier to overdose a dog or cat (or small child) than a full grown adult.  And something that may make a human vomit may or may not make an animal vomit.  I’m just not sure whether or not that’s the case with this herb?  Lobelia is one of about half a dozen herbs he specifically lists as possibly toxic to dogs and cats. I know Doc says that garlic and onions (also on the list) are possibly toxic to dogs too, but okay in small quantity, so I’m hoping the same is true of lobelia.  Since this poor pup has pretty extensive and traumatic injuries, I’m following Doc’s advise to bump up the dose a bit versus what you would do with a chronic condition. So, that means she’s getting a bit more of the herbs and furthers my concern to add lobelia in the mix.  Perhaps it’s unwarranted, that’s why I asking.  For now, I’m erring on the side of caution.  Even though I’ve completed the course, I’m a newbie at implementing my new herbal knowledge and just trying to be extra careful, lol!

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Greg Boggs

[Greg BoggsStudent]

If you wanted to try, you could always add just a bit of Lobelia into the mix and observe. I think what you have included already is good enough and while Lobelia might add in some good effects, I don’t know if it would make that drastic of a difference if you are concerned about it

[Wendy DykStudentTopic Author]

Yes, thank you for helping me thinking this through.  🙂 I’m hoping that the ones I’m using cover the bases.  She was prescribed a couple prescriptions from the vet too, so I’m trying to be careful there as well!

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