Christmas Hazards

Christmas is a joyful time of year for the entire family, but like Thanksgiving, the holiday comes with unique dangers for our animal friends.  To help you keep your pet safe and healthy this holiday season, here is a list of potential hazards.

Plants

Poinsettias These beautiful, festive plants are seen everywhere during the holiday season and are relatively low on the toxicity scale.  If your pet ingests poinsettia leaves or blooms, you're likely to see side effects such as hyper-salvation (drooling), vomiting and diarrhea. However, these symptoms are usually mild.

Mistletoe This plant can cause more severe gastrointestinal signs then poinsettias. You may see increased water consumption and increased urination. Nervous system signs such as ataxia (stumbling), seizures,  or coma may also manifest. Pets can also experience slow, shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, and decreased body temperature. There is no specifically defined toxic dose, so it is best to contact your veterinarian and describe the symptoms your pet is displaying.

Holly  This plant contains components of caffeine, as well as detergent-like substances.  Holly ingestion causes gastrointestinal irritation, and mild to moderate central nervous system depression.

Lillies All flowers of the Lilium species, including Stargazer, Easter, Tiger, and other Asiatic lilies, are extremely poisonous to cats. (Lilies are not toxic to dogs, and only self-limiting vomiting is expected if a dog ingests them.)

Threat to pets: The ingestion of just one or two leaves or petals is enough to cause sudden kidney failure. Even the pollen from these flowers is toxic to cats.

Signs: Signs of kidney failure due to lily ingestion include vomiting, reduced appetite, increased or decreased urination, and lethargy. Kidney failure will begin within a few days of a cat eating lilies and, if not treated, the cat often dies.

Treatment: Any cat ingesting even small pieces of a lily needs an immediate medical evaluation accompanied by intensive intravenous fluid therapy, blood work, and hospitalization.

Prognosis: Good when treated early and appropriately.