Hope Animal Hospital December 2006 Newsletter Holiday Hazards

• If you have a live Christmas tree, keep the water stand covered. Pine sap mixed with water makes a poisonous drink for your pet. The smell of a live or artificial tree may cause your pet to urine-mark it. It may help to bring the tree into an isolated indoor room for a day or so, so that it smells more like "home".
  
  
• If your dog or cat ingests pine tree needles, she can suffer an upset stomach and oral pain.
  
• Pick up any ornament hooks, tinsel or ribbon that fall on the floor. Your pet could experience serious internal injuries if he ingests any of these items.
  
  
• Oh, Christmas tree! Their branches definitely delight pets, who've been known to chew on them--and whatever decorations may be hanging from them. Place small, breakable ornaments high up, and keep tinsel and garland out of your pet's reach, as these can get caught in his throat. Decorate the bottom third of the tree with non-breakable, plastic or wooden ornaments, or decorate only the top two-thirds of your tree. Make sure those pine needles, which can be toxic, don't get eaten.
  
  
• Don’t feed your pet rich, fatty or spicy people food. Instead, add a teaspoon of white meat or broth from holiday dinner to your pet’s food. Keep holiday treats and candies out of your pet's reach. Additionally, remember wrapped gifts under your tree that may be food items must be put up. People food, especially in excess, can make your pet sick. Alcoholic beverages, chocolate, coffee, onions, fatty foods, yeast dough and macadamia nuts can all cause problems.
  
  
• Secure Christmas trees to a wall or ceiling hook with sturdy fishing line. This will help prevent the tree from toppling over should your pet jump on it or accidentally knock it over.
  
  
• If you have indoor holiday lights, be sure they don't hang so low that your pet could become entangled in them. Remember to unplug the lights when you're not home to supervise your pet.
  
  
• If you have a bird, make sure she is safely in her cage if you're lighting any candles. Additionally, lit candles produce fumes that can be harmful to birds if inhaled. And don't forget, your pet's wagging tail can easily knock over a burning candle. Lit candles should be kept out of any pet’s reach, perhaps high on a counter or table. Liquid potpourri is also dangerous to pets, which could ingest it from decorative bowls and simmering pots.
  
  
• Poinsettias, mistletoe berries and some other popular holiday plants, if ingested, can cause serious stomach upset for pets. Check with your veterinarian or local poison control center to find out what holiday plants and flowers you need to keep out of your pet's reach.

--2003 Dumb Friends League. All Rights Reserved.

• Bag the boughs of holly and live mistletoe. Yes, they add a nice touch to your holiday decor, but holly can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and lethargy if ingested by your pet. And should he eat mistletoe, he could suffer gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Instead, opt for just-as-pretty artificial plants made from silk or plastic.
  
  
• Lovely lilies are commonly used in holiday floral arrangements, but many varieties--including tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Stargazer and the Casa Blanca--can cause kidney failure in cats.
  
  
• Keep batteries--loose and in packages--away from pets. They contain corrosives that can cause ulceration in your animal companion's mouth, tongue and gastrointestinal tract if bitten or swallowed.
  
  
• Shy animals can get stressed with the hustle and bustle of holiday guests, so make sure there's a quiet room to which your pets can retreat.
  
  
• If you suspect your pet has gotten into a potentially poisonous substance, call your veterinarian or the APCC's emergency hotline--1-888-4-ANI-HELP--for round-the-clock telephone assistance. For more information on poison prevention, visit APCC online.

Rabbit Rescue 2007 Calendar Now Available

Adorable rabbit calendars available for $10.00. Proceeds go to the Missouri House Rabbit Society and our own HOPE Fund.

Holiday Gift

Come by the office in December and receive a bottle of free pet vitamins while supplies last. (You must be a client of Hope Animal Hospital to qualify for this offer. One per family.)