PhillyFIT Magazine

to significant vomiting. If your pet has access to holly and
shows these signs, seek a veterinarian’s advice.
3) Amaryllis. Amaryllis is a showy flower commonly used in
Christmas-time potted or cut arrangements. It comes in white,
red, striped, and other floral pattern varieties. Primarily the
bulb and leaves of amaryllis plants are toxic to dogs and cats;
the flowers are somewhat less so. Ingestion of plant parts leads
to poor appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and hypersalivation.
Ingestion of large quantities can lead to sedation and seizures.
If your pet eats amaryllis, call a veterinarian for advice.
4) Poinsettia. While poinsettias have a reputation for being
toxic holiday plants, in reality they are only mildly toxic to dogs
and cats. The sap causes skin irritation, and ingestion of the sap
can cause oral irritation and possibly vomiting. However, signs
associated withpoinsettia ingestion are usually quite mild to
absent.
5) Rosemary and Other Oily Plants, including Potpourri.
The oils in these fragrant plants can cause significant irritation
to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, and animals should be
prevented from contact with these items. If your pet ingests
suchitems, call a veterinarian for advice.
6) Many other plants such as Christmas cactus, kalanchoe,
tulips, jade, and many, many other houseplants can be toxic to
dogs and cats. Lilies of most types are fatally toxic to cats.
There are open-access lists of toxic and non-toxic plants available
at www.aspca.org/Pet-care/poison-control.
Holiday Environs Potentially
Dangerous to Pets
Many holiday decorations and other environmental items can be
dangerous to dogs and cats in some situations. When decorating
your home for the holidays, take your pet’s temperament
and access into account when selecting items and setting things
up.
Electrical cord exposure can cause oral burns, seizures, collapse,
or severe breathing problems. Batteries are dangerous if
punctured or swallowed. If your pet shows any of the problems
listed here, or chews or swallows a battery, take her to a veterinarian
immediately.
3) Stuffed Toys. Stuffed toys are great distractions for dogs.
Be sure Fifi’s toys are safe by removing sharp or stringy elements,
and remember that your dog should always be supervised
when playing with toys. Dismembering, de-stuffing, or
eating the innards of stuffed plush toys can cause life-threatening
gastrointestinal obstruction, which usually causes moderate
to severe vomiting.
4) Candles. Be sure that lit candles are kept out of paw and
tail’s reachat all times!
Most importantly, use your best judgment when it comes to your
pet and holiday exposures. If you have questions or concerns
about a possible exposure, be sure to call your veterinarian
immediately or a twenty-four hour hospital if your veterinarian’s
office is closed. Have a veryHappyHolidaySeason!
Jamie M. Burkitt, DVM, Diplomate ACVECC, Red Bank Veterinary Hospital –
Cherry Hill
• Duke University, Bachelor of Science 1992-1995
• University of California at Davis, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine 1996-2000
•UniversityofPennsylvania,InternshipinSmallAnimalMedicine&
Surgery – 2000-2001
•LecturerinEmergency&CriticalCare,UniversityofCaliforniaatDavis–
2001-2002 and 2005-2007
• University of California at Davis, Residency in Emergency & Critical Care – 2002-2005
• Assistant Professor, University of California at Davis, Department of Surgical & Radiological
Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine – 2007-2008
• Private Veterinary Consultant – 2009-2011
•JoinedRBVHTintonFallsandRBVHCherryHill–2011
1) Christmas Tree. Fortunately, the natural evergreens generally
used as Christmas trees are non-toxic or only slightly toxic to
dogs and cats when ingested. However, tree needles can sometimes
cause direct mechanical irritation to the mouth, esophagus,
and stomach, and can thus cause vomiting or (rarely) puncture.
Consider any chemicals added to the tree’s water supply –
many animals like to drink from the Christmas tree water.
Chemicals added to the water or sprayed on the tree as flame
retardant can cause toxicity. Households with pets should not
use tinsel or stringy garlands that could be chewed and swallowed
because these items can cause life-threatening gastrointestinal
obstruction. Tall trees should be anchored so that pets
cannot pull them over, causing either trauma to themselves or a
fire hazard. Artificial trees themselves and flocking (artificial
snow) have not been reported to be toxic, but it’s important to
remember that large ingestions of anything can cause obstruction
that could require emergency surgery, and that some artificial
trees or flocking may be treated with chemicals that have
potential for toxicity.
2) Electrical Cords and Batteries. Keep electrical cords out of
reach to avoid electrocution. Chewing on electrical cords is a
particular danger in curious, playful puppies and kittens.
November/December I 215-396-0268 I www.phillyfit.com PhillyFIT I 41