Toxicity to pets

Japonica, Bog Rosemary and Pieris species contain grayanotoxins (formally called andromedotoxin). Like the Rhododendrons (same family), ingestion of these plants cause a disruption in sodium channels affecting the cardiac and skeletal muscle. Clinical signs of excessive drooling, depression, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, heart arrhythmias, hypotension (drop in blood pressure), and death can occur when ingested by dogs and cats.