Mayfair in Tampa Palms

PET POISON TIP:

Dec 21, 2007

NO CATS & DOGS UNDER THE MISTLETOE, PLEASE!


While it may be nice to run into your sweetie under the mistletoe, this traditional holiday plant can be potentially toxic to our animal companions.

Found throughout the United States, American mistletoe is actually a parasitic plant that lives off a variety of different tree species. If ingested in large enough quantities, mistletoe can potentially produce gastrointestinal irritation, excessive thirst and urination, a drop in blood pressure and heart rate, seizures, coma and even death in pets. According to our experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), however, most animal ingestions involve small quantities?—not more than the amount found in a sprig or two?—and typically result in mild stomach upset that resolves with little or no treatment.

Remember, if you suspect that your pet has ingested a potentially toxic substance, contact your local veterinarian or APCC at (888) 426-4435. For more pet poison prevention tips, visit ASPCA.org.