Salvia and dogs

salvia.may.night.JPGMost salvia species are non-toxic, especially types like 'May Night' that are common garden perennials.

   Q: My brother has a Newfoundland who has had seizure-like episodes after being around and smelling perennial salvia. Have you ever heard of this plant having that kind of an effect on dogs?

   A: Not the species of salvias that we grow in gardens. They're all considered to be non-toxic, which isn't to say that some dogs (or people, for that matter) won't have an allergic reaction or get sick if they eat enough leaves. Your brother's Newfie had an unusually powerful reaction if the seizures are coming just from contact or scent.

   The only one in the salvia family that I know of that's hallucinogenic is Salvia divinorum. That one's a tender Mexican native that isn't very ornamental and isn't sold in the gardening trade.

   It's drawn controversy in the last few years because it's sometimes processed and sold as a legal mind-altering herb (legal in most U.S. states, that is).

   I did some research and didn't find anything about any other salvia members having similar properties that might be giving your brother's dog seizures.

   Given the reaction, I'd move the salvia out of the dog's range (if possible) or remove it from the garden altogether as a precaution. That also would help nail down whether it really is the salvia or something else.