Critter Care / By PAULA HARVETINE

As you decorate your home for the holidays, it is important to remember that the attractive holiday plants that you display around the room may bring you lots of cheer, but they can spell disaster for your four-legged friends. Precautions should be taken to prevent your pets from ingesting the plants.

While both cats and dogs can be attracted to the bright holiday plants, cats are especially likely to nibble on them. Signs associated with the ingestion of holiday plants can vary from mild to severe. Eating poinsettias, for example, may cause skin or mouth irritation and possibly vomiting in your pet. Ingestion of mistletoe, on the other hand, may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, cardiovascular collapse and even death. Other household plants, such as holly, philodendron, yew, oleander, lilies, and azaleas can cause adverse reactions as well.

It is ideal to locate your plants out of your pet’s reach, if possible. If you are unable to do this, applying hot pepper sauce to the leaves and stems of the plants will deter most pets from nibbling on the plants. Be sure to test one or two leaves first to be sure that you do not harm your plant. You can also place slightly sticky contact paper, tacky side up, under the pot so that your pet will have to step on the contact paper to get to the plant. Most pets do not like walking on things that stick to their feet.

If your pet does sample the goods, your veterinarian must know exactly what the pet ingested in order for your pet to be properly treated. It is important to keep the plant identification tags that come with the plants that you purchase or that you receive as gifts. These tags should give the complete description of the plant, including the common and scientific names, in addition to the watering and light needs. Knowing the scientific name of the plant will be of enormous value to your veterinarian if you suspect that your pet has ingested part of the plant.

As soon as you realize that a plant or other harmful substance may have been ingested, immediately call your veterinarian for recommendations and to have your animal examined as needed. You may need to call the 24-hour Pet Poison Helpline for assistance. By calling 1-800-213-6680, you will reach a veterinary toxicology specialist who will provide specific therapeutic recommendations for your pet. If veterinary care is needed, they will also consult with your veterinarian. There is a $35 charge, per case, payable by credit card when you call. It is also possible to call the Poison Control Center in Wisconsin at 1-800-222-1222. There is no charge for this service. This is a human center, but they do have access to information on products that are toxic to humans, and thus possibly to animals. Remember, though, that pets are not small people-something harmless to a person may be quite toxic to a pet.

When you call, be ready to tell your veterinarian or the toxicologist what your pet ingested, how long ago it was ingested, how much was ingested, and what signs the pet is now exhibiting. Do not attempt to induce vomiting before you call. Your veterinarian or the toxicologist will advise you on how to proceed.

So as you deck the halls this year, be cautious with the boughs of holly, hang the mistletoe high, and have a happy holiday with your pet!

Paula Harvetine is a veterinarian at West Salem Veterinary Clinic