by: Frank Shuman, DVM

The holidays are here and with the excitement and chill in the area come a few hazards that can land your best friend with an urgent trip to the vet. Here are some tips for keeping your pets out of danger during the holiday season.

When baking or cooking for those guests arriving, remember to keep your pets out of the kitchen and remind your guests to avoid feeding your pets. There are quite a few ingredients that can cause gastrointestinal upset or worse. Unfortunately many of the seasonal plants that we enjoy during this holiday season are toxic to our furry friends. The following are the most common:

• Lilies that may be found in holiday flower arrangements cause kidney failure in cats.

• Poinsettias, if ingested, can be irritating to the mouth and stomach, and may cause mild vomiting or nausea.

• Mistletoe has the potential to cause cardiovascular problems. However, mistletoe ingestion usually only causes gastrointestinal upset.

• Holly ingestion could cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and lethargy.

• Christmas tree water may contain fertilizers, which, if ingested, can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water can be breeding grounds for bacteria, which can also lead to vomiting, nausea and diarrhea, if ingested.

Your animal may become poisoned in spite of your best efforts to prevent it. One way to prepare for possible emergencies is by keeping telephone numbers for your veterinarian, a local emergency veterinary service and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-4 ANI-HELP) in a convenient location.

Also as the weather cools, pets that spend a large portion of their time outside need to be provided with protection from the elements. Providing a dog house or space out of the elements with straw or fresh blankets can provide the insulation needed for those chilly days. If temperatures below 45 degrees fahrenheit are forecasted, then it’s necessary to get your pets out of the elements to prevent risk of hypothermia.

Hopefully your holiday season will be filled with happiness and family gatherings and this information will just be heeded and no calls necessary.

Frank Shuman IV is the Medical Director at Drippings Springs Animal Hospital who has been serving the area for over 30+ years.  The hospital is located at 1520 E. HWY 290 and he can be reached at 512-858-4787.