Is Pacific Yew Poisonous to Cats and Dogs?

Pacific Yew

The Pacific Yew is poisonous for both cats and dogs.

Typical symptoms include death, difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, drooling, dyspnea, muscular tremors, tremors and vomiting.

The Pacific yew or western yew  is an evergreen tree which grows from 10-15 meters tall. It rots from the inside, creating hollow forms which made it difficult to determine its age. The leaves are flat, 2-3 mm broad, 1-3 cm long, lanceolate, dark green, and arranged spirally on the stem. This tree is extremely slow in terms of growing.  Pacific Yew is commonly seen in the Pacific Northwest of North America. It is mostly in the Pacific Coast Ranges but disjunct populations in southeast British Columbia and in North to Central Idaho.  

Additional name for this plant include English Yew, Anglo-Japanese Yew, Mountain Mahogany Japanese Yew, and Western Yew. The scientific name for this plant is Taxus brevifolia.

Image: Istock.com / vxlomegav6

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