| Defuse
Holiday Dangers |
 |
| The
following information is provided to help you insure that
your pet has a happy and HEALTHY holiday season. |
|
| CHOCOLATE:
The most dangerous of all chocolate is unsweetened or baking
chocolate. This form of chocolate contains 10 times the toxin,
theobromine, that milk chocolate. As little as 1 ounce can
cause death to a 10 pound dog. Theobromine is a compound that
is distantly related to caffeine and has toxic symptoms of
vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, rapid breathing, rapid
heartbeat, muscle twitches, and possible death. If you pet
consumes chocolate, call your veterinarian immediately.
|
|
| ALCOHOL:
The consumption of alcohol is usually an accidental occurrence.
This often occurs with a dog getting into any left over cocktails
or beer from a holiday party. The signs that you might observe
include excitability and dizziness at first but may progress
to more serious problems including vomiting, lethargy, dyspnea
(difficult breathing), and possibly death. |
|
| CHRISTMAS
DECORATIONS: |
|
| ANGEL
HAIR
can be very irritating to the skin and mouth cavity. It is
made from spun glass fibers. |
|
| ARTIFICIAL
TREES may be of a concern if ingested. They are usually made
from plastic or metal. Make sure that the tree is secure and
can't be knocked over and chewed on. |
|
| CANDLES
are
usually not of a concern but they may pose a fire hazard if
they are lit and your pet knocks them over. |
|
| ORNAMENTS
can be dangerous if eaten. They can be made of glass or thin
metal which can cause injury to the intestines. The coloring
and paints that decorate the ornaments are usually non-toxic. |
|
| CHRISTMAS
TREE AND OTHER EVERGREENS contain toxic resins and oils. When
consumed these products can be of concern but usually the
symptoms are seen as diarrhea and vomiting. |
|
| TINSEL
is potentially dangerous, especially to cats. The tinsel will
cause intestinal irritation and possible obstruction. Plastic
is usually the main component in tinsel and usually is not
toxic. Keep tinsel high on the tree, out of reach of your
cats. |
|
| WRAPPING
PAPER AND RIBBON are usually non-toxic but can be ingested
and cause intestinal irritation or obstruction. |
|
| HOLIDAY
PLANTS: There are many rumors and misconceptions regarding
holiday plants and their toxic status. Below are lists of
holiday plants and their status. |
|
| NON
TOXIC:
Bayberry, Christmas Begonia, Christmas Cactus, Christmas Cheers,
Christmas Dagger Fern, Mistletoe Cactus (see Mistletoe below),
and Poinsettia. |
| v |
| TOXIC:
Amaryllis(bulb), Boxberry(leaves), Christmas berry(leaves),
Christmas Cherry(leaves/fruit), Christmas Pepper(leaves/fruit),
Christmas Rose(all), Chrysanthemum(all), Holly(berry/leaves),
Mistletoe(berry/all). **Mistletoe is the most deadly of all
holiday plants for both pets and humans. |
| |
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