Because karaka trees (Corynocarpus laevigatus) are one of our more stunning natives they are now commonly used in parks and gardens for ornamental plantings, which is great news for our Kererū, who gorge on their bright orange berries, but not so great for our dogs.
Karaka berries contain a potent neurotoxin called karakin, which is primarily concentrated in the seeds. The berries ripen between January and April, but both fresh and dried berries can be toxic, so you need to keep an eye out for them all year round. Ingesting even a small amount can lead to severe poisoning in dogs.
Symptoms can be delayed up to 48 hours after ingestion of the berries, making it challenging for vets to identify the cause and treat promptly if you haven’t seen your dog eat them.
Symptoms of karaka berry poisoning
• Vomiting and Diarrhoea
• Weakness and Lethargy
• Confusion or Disorientation
• Hind Limb Paralysis
• Convulsions or Seizures
In extreme cases, ingestion can lead to respiratory failure and death.
What to do if your dog eats a karaka berry
If you suspect your dog has ingested karaka berries, seek immediate veterinary attention, even if symptoms are not yet present. There is no specific antidote for karakin so early supportive treatment is essential.
Veterinary treatment may involve inducing vomiting if the ingestion was recent, administering activated charcoal to limit toxin absorption, and providing supportive care such as intravenous fluids, anti-nausea medication and anticonvulsants if necessary.
Preventing karaka berry poisoning
1. Identify and Avoid Karaka Trees
Between January and April, when the bright orange, olive shaped fruit are present on the trees, is the best time to be on the lookout for trees that are on your regular walking routes. The NZ Plant Conservation Network has some great pictures to help you familiarize yourself with what karakas look like.
Cove Insurance has recently developed an open-source Karaka Tree Map that highlights known locations of karaka trees across New Zealand. The map is community-driven and you can help other dog owners by submitting new tree locations, thereby enhancing its accuracy.
Avoid walking your dog in areas where these trees are present, especially during the fruiting season from January to April.
2. Leash Your Dog in High-Risk Areas
If avoiding karaka trees is not an option for you, keep your dog on a short leash and under close watch to prevent them from ingesting fallen berries. If you have a particularly talented scavenger consider training them to wear a basket muzzle during their walk.
3. Train Avoidance Behaviours
Teach your dog a command such as "leave it" to discourage them from picking up unfamiliar objects, including potentially toxic berries. This is one of those commands that is really worth putting the time and effort into – you really do not want to know the things I have had to make dogs vomit up over the years!
4. Educate Others
Ensure that anyone who walks or cares for your dog is aware of the dangers posed by karaka berries and knows how to avoid them.
Take home messages
- Know where these trees are in your neighbourhood (use and contribute to the Karaka Tree Map) and avoid them if possible
- Teach your dog a "leave it" command
- If you see your dog eat one then go straight to your vet
