Pet Food & Safety

Dog Ate Tulip or Daffodil Bulb: Lycorine Toxicity Triage

2 min read Clinically reviewed • Standards
When Is a Pet Emergency? Red Flags for Dogs and Cats
When Is a Pet Emergency? Red Flags for Dogs and Cats
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This guide is general education for pet owners. If your pet has urgent symptoms, possible poisoning, injury, breathing trouble, collapse, severe pain, or sudden decline, contact a licensed veterinarian or local emergency service.

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Dog Ate Tulip or Daffodil Bulb: Lycorine Toxicity Triage

Clinical Verdict: MODERATE (Leaves/Flowers) TO HIGHLY TOXIC (Bulbs)

Dogs CANNOT eat tulip or daffodil bulbs. While leaves and petals cause mild upset, the subterranean bulbs contain high concentrations of toxic alkaloids that cause severe gastrointestinal ulceration, cardiac arrhythmias, and convulsions.

Toxic Mechanism & Agent

  • Toxic Agent: Tulipalin A/B (Tulips) and Lycorine / Calcium Oxalates (Daffodils)
  • Mechanism of Action: Lycorine is a phenanthridine alkaloid that stimulates medullary emetic centers and inhibits protein synthesis, while tulipalins trigger severe allergic contact dermatitis and mucosal necrosis.
Figure 1: Canine Tulip & Daffodil Bulb Lycorine Exhibit — Macro forensic display of chewed dormant bulbs showing concentrated inner flesh alongside clinical toxicology identification, medical activated charcoal, and ECG rhythm strip warning of lycorine-induced bradyarrhythmias and gastroenteritis.
Figure 1: Canine Tulip & Daffodil Bulb Lycorine Exhibit — Macro forensic display of chewed dormant bulbs showing concentrated inner flesh alongside clinical toxicology identification, medical activated charcoal, and ECG rhythm strip warning of lycorine-induced bradyarrhythmias and gastroenteritis.

Clinical Signs & Timeline

  • Onset Time: Within 1 to 4 hours post ingestion of bulbs.
  • Primary Symptoms: Severe profuse vomiting, hemorrhagic diarrhea, hypersalivation, tremors, hypotension (low blood pressure), cardiac arrhythmias, respiratory depression.
Figure 2: Canine Emergency ICU Telemetry & Antiarrhythmic Support — Intensive critical care monitoring featuring real-time multiparameter ECG tracking for conduction disturbances following bulb ingestion, coupled with rapid IV diuresis to accelerate alkaloid clearance.
Figure 2: Canine Emergency ICU Telemetry & Antiarrhythmic Support — Intensive critical care monitoring featuring real-time multiparameter ECG tracking for conduction disturbances following bulb ingestion, coupled with rapid IV diuresis to accelerate alkaloid clearance.

Emergency Triage Protocol

URGENT VET VISIT
If bulbs were chewed and swallowed recently, medical emesis induction and activated charcoal are required. Severe cases need IV fluid resuscitation, antiemetics, and cardiac monitoring.

Strict Rule S1 Warning

NEVER induce vomiting at home using hydrogen peroxide without direct instruction from a DVM. Inappropriate emesis can cause fatal aspiration pneumonia, esophageal chemical burns, or gastric rupture. Always seek professional veterinary diagnosis.

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