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dogs . If your dog is in obvious distress from eating too much too fast , says Stamper , contact your vet immediately .
Some telltale signs are drooling , choking , or vomiting .
Take note of timing . If a bone or chew toy lodges in your dog ’ s stomach or intestines , the symptoms might not be immediate . Hours to days later , he may vomit and have diarrhea , be less active , not want to eat , and have stomach pain .
If the blockage stays there too long , your dog may become very ill . The worst-case scenario is when a hole develops at the blockage site , causing a life-threatening infection .
Champions Edition
“ Your cat may find these decorations irresistible because they look like easy-to-catch , sparkly , and wiggly prey ,” Stamper says . In fact , they can cause serious stomach and intestinal damage . Symptoms may take a few hours or several days to appear , and include vomiting , diarrhea , lack of appetite , and decreased activity . Play it safe by keeping tinsel off the tree and collecting all ribbons and strings after gifts are opened .
Holiday Plants
If you have holiday plants such as poinsettias , holly , or mistletoe around , take care . When you display ( or dispose of ) these plants , your cat may decide they ’ re good to eat , Stamper says .
“ When in doubt , contact your veterinarian , who may need to take x-rays or use an endoscope to see what and where the problem is ,” Stamper says . Your dog may even need surgery to remove blockages in the intestines . ( Learn More , courtesy of USFoodandDrugAdmin and You- Tube )
Tinsel and Ribbons
When decorating your tree and wrapping or unwrapping gifts , keep a close eye on where you leave your leftover tinsel , string , and ribbons .
Poinsettias , for example have a milky white , latex sap that can irritate your animal ’ s mouth and stomach and may cause vomiting and diarrhea . “ If your cat has snacked on poinsettia leaves , you can help him by picking up his food and water dishes for a couple of hours to let his stomach settle ,” Stamper advises .
The National Animal Poison Control Center ( NAPCC ) states that the major toxic chemicals in mistletoe are lectins and phoratoxins . These chemicals affect the heart , causing low blood pressure and slowed heart rate . “ Fortunately for your cat , severe mistletoe toxicity is uncommon and usually occurs only if your pet eats a large amount ,” Stamper explains . Symp-
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