Holiday Pet Toxicities
Macadamia Nuts – High phosphorus content can lead to bladder stones. Pet can develop weakness or paralysis, tremors, and swelling of joints.
Alcohol – Pets are particularly attracted to egg nog and wine during the holiday season. Can cause respiratory arrest and will depress the nervous system.
Chocolate – Contains theobromine which is toxic. Depends on the amount and type ingested, but will cause vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, loss of balance, hyperexcitability, seizures, coma, and possibly death.
Coffee/Caffeine – Will cause damage to central nervous system, heart, lungs, and kidneys.
Christmas Tree Water –Preservatives, pesticides, fertilizers and other agents, such as aspirin, are commonly used in the tree water to keep the tree fresh. Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal upset, and other issues depending on what is in the water.
Electrical Cords – Will cause electrical shock if chewed.
Ribbons/Tinsel – If swallowed, can cause gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, diarrhea, and intestinal obstruction.
Ornaments – Glass shards will cut internally and externally.
Lilies – deadly to cats. Will cause acute kidney failure.
Mistletoe – Gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular collapse, dyspnea, bradycardia, erratic behavior, (hallucinogenic in humans). Vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure (rare).
Holly – Gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy.
Raisins/Grapes – Irreversable renal failure.
Artificial sweetners – Xylitol – Signs of toxicity can be seen as quickly as 30 minutes after xylitol ingestion in dogs. The xylitol causes a rapid release of the hormone insulin, causing a sudden decrease in blood glucose. Vomiting, weakness, ataxia (uncoordinated movements), seizures, depression, coma.
Nutmeg - Strange as it may seem, nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) has actually gained popularity as a street drug because of the psychological effects that are produced from the spice’s volatile oil. If eaten in large amounts, this oil can cause vomiting and abdominal pain as well as central nervous system excitation. These initial symptoms are usually followed by profound drowsiness several hours after consumption
Onions and Garlic – Can cause abdominal pain, blood in urine, depression, diarrhea, increased heart rate, anorexia, weakness, Heinz hemolytic body anemia (Onions, whether cooked, raw or dehydrated, contain sulfur compounds, that when chewed, are hydrolyzed to thisulfinates. Thiosulfinates decompose to a number of of disulfides, inculding dipropenyl disulfide (or n-propyl disulfide) which appears to be the most toxic disulfide. These disulfides are oxidizing agents that can cause hemolysis (rupture) of red blood cells).
Yeast Dough – The risks are two-fold. The first risk is that the dough may rise after ingestion, causing intestinal obstruction. Secondly, the yeast can ferment sugars, creating a secondary problem of ethanol (alcohol) poisoning in the animal.
