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During
the holiday season we often decorate our homes with festive plants such
as poinsettias, holly, mistletoe, Christmas cactus, and lilies.
Sometimes, other plants that can be readily forced into bloom will be
used to bring cheer to our homes during the winter months – common
examples include kalanchoe, hippeastrum (amaryllis plants), tulips, and
narcissi (daffodils). Sometimes our pets become too curious for their
own good and decide to nibble on the leaves or other parts of these
plants. As animal lovers, it is important to know which common holiday
plants should be kept out of reach of the family pet (and curious
toddlers), and which ones may represent less of a risk than previously
believed.
Poinsettias are one of the more readily recognized
holiday plants, and are widely believed to be toxic. The thick white
sap of the poinsettia causes mild irritation. The toxic risk of
poinsettias is greatly exaggerated and the majority of animals or
children that eat poinsettia flowers, leaves or sap suffer only minor
digestive upset.
Many potentially toxic compounds have been
identified in the various species of mistletoe that are used for
Yuletide decoration. Because mistletoe is a parasitic plant that takes
up nutrients from the host plant, the degree of toxicity can vary. Most
cases of mistletoe poisoning occur in dogs, and serious toxicity caused
by consumption of mistletoe is rare. In most cases, consumption of
mistletoe causes abdominal distress and the most common symptom is
depression, followed by vomiting.
The berries of English holly
(scientific name of Ilex), often used for traditional holiday
decorating, are considered toxic. If a pet eats holly berries, their
irritating juices cause salivation, vomiting, anorexia or diarrhea.
Rinsing the mouth out with water may help to remove irritants.
All
parts of the ornamental plant kalanchoe contain toxins. Symptoms of
poisoning include depression, excessive salivation, and
gastrointestinal upset and generally occur within a few hours. If a
large quantity is consumed, the toxins will affect the heart and can
cause cardiac arrest.
All parts of daffodils or narcissi are
poisonous to some degree. Most poisoning cases involve dogs eating
daffodil bulbs although toxicity has been reported as a result of
eating the flowers. Signs include salivation, vomiting, diarrhea,
abdominal tenderness, anorexia and lethargy. Ingestion of large amounts
can result in collapse, dehydration, hypotension and rarely death.
Most,
if not all, lilies used as houseplants are considered toxic. Cats are
extremely sensitive to the toxic effects of lilies, and eating as
little as one Easter lily leaf can cause fatal kidney failure in cats.
Initial symptoms of lily poisoning include severe vomiting, anorexia
and depression; without immediate intensive treatment, the patient can
die of kidney failure.
Hippeastrum, commonly called
Amaryllis,is only toxic if the bulb is eaten in large quantities. If a
pet eats part of this plant it may suffer from excess salivation,
nausea and/or vomiting, and occasionally diarrhea. Neither Christmas
cactus nor tulips are considered toxic, but both may cause a minor
intestinal upset if eaten.
If you suspect that your pet has
eaten a toxic plant, it is important to seek immediate advice from a
veterinarian or poison control, who will advise you about first aid
procedures, including whether or not to induce vomiting. In most cases,
treatment will be symptomatic and supportive. In severe cases,
intensive treatment may be required. If you plan on decorating your
home with one of the plants listed above as being poisonous, you would
be wise to make sure it is well out of reach of your pet, especially if
you have a curious kitten or a playful puppy. For further information,
don’t hesitate to contact us at the veterinary clinic.
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