Why is this dangerous?
Colchicine stops cells dividing and damages the gut lining, bone marrow, liver and kidneys. Unlike many plant poisonings, signs can appear hours to days later and keep getting worse, which makes owners wait too long.
All parts are toxic, the corms and seeds most of all. It is often confused with the harmless spring crocus.
Why speed matters
Delaying care significantly worsens outcomes. Some signs appear hours or days later, so "looks fine right now" is not a reason to wait.
Signs to watch for
- Severe, repeated vomiting and bloody diarrhoea
- Drooling, abdominal pain, refusal to eat
- Weakness, collapse, shock
- Bleeding from the gut, nose or gums (bone-marrow effect)
- Reduced urine output as kidney damage develops
What to do right now
- Contact a vet or poison line immediately — early decontamination is the only thing that changes the outcome.
- Do not wait to see if symptoms appear; by then treatment is much harder.
- Bring the plant or a photo to distinguish it from spring crocus.
- Expect hospitalisation with fluids and blood-work monitoring for several days.
If your pet shows any of the signs above, go to the nearest emergency vet now and call ahead.
The step-by-step response, from the first minute to the vet visit, is in our Autumn Crocus / Meadow Saffron emergency guide.