The holiday or Christmas season is the favorite of many, not only because of the delicious food, the gifts and the striking lighting, but also because the spirit of brotherhood and peace that characterizes the celebration can be truly comforting.
On our site we know that if you have a dog at home you will surely enjoy the joy that is breathed during these holidays, in which you will have the opportunity to be in contact with a different environment and even meet to new relatives to play with. However, it's not all fun. There are some risks, related to typical elements of Christmas, that can put your furry friend in danger. One of the most common and most striking for dogs is the traditional Christmas plant, which, in turn, is part of the list of toxic plants for dogs. That's why we want to talk to you about the first aid if your dog has eaten the Christmas plant that you should follow to be well informed and prevent the problem from getting worse.
What is the Christmas plant?
Also called Easter flower, Christmas Eve flower or poisentia, with the scientific name Euphorbia pulcherrima, it is a plant that is a common decoration at Christmas time, thanks to the showy bright red that gives color to its sheets.
Poisentia is harmless to humans, but it is dangerous to some pets, such as dogs and cats. Its danger lies in the fact that the plant has some properties that are toxic to animals, so you need to be careful with your dog if you have decided to have one of these species at home.
How does the Christmas plant affect your dog?
There are various ways in which your dog can suffer the harmful effects of the Christmas plant. One of them is ingestion, because your dog's own curiosity can lead him to nibble the plant and even eat parts of it. When this happens, the sap it contains irritates the entire oral cavity, and can affect the stomach and esophagus.
Your dog may also be affected if his skin, fur, or eyes come in contact with the plant, such as when he rubs against it or comes close to sniff it. The consequences can be even worse if the dog has a skin injury, which favors the rapid absorption of toxins. This contact with the skin and eyes can cause diseases such as keratitis and canine conjunctivitis.
Despite its nuisance effects, which must be addressed immediately, the Christmas plant is not fatal to dogs, although it may be capable of causing death in other species, such as cats.
What are the symptoms?
Si your dog has eaten the Christmas plant and, therefore, has suffered poisoning by ingestion or contact with the flower of Easter, will present the following signals:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Hypersalivation
- Fatigue
- Tremors
- Skin irritation
- Itch
- Blisters (when the dose ingested is high or the exposure has been prolonged)
- Dehydration
How should you help your dog?
If you suspect that your dog is suffering from poisoning or an allergy as a result of contact with the Christmas plant, the first thing you should do is stay calm and make sure that the plant is to blame for thesymptoms your dog is experiencing. How to do this? Very easy: a glance at your plant will allow you to discover if any branches or leaves are missing, and you can even find bites if your dog has eaten the Christmas plant. If it is poisoning by contact with the skin, you must determine if your dog has been able to have access to the poisentia.
When you are sure of it, it is time to act following our advice:
- Although the effect on dogs is not lethal, the animal still has to be taken care of. To do this, we recommend provoking vomiting when the plant has been ingested. In this way, you will eliminate part of the toxic agent from the animal's body while you go to the veterinarian.
- If your dog has exposed its skin and eyes to the effect of the plant, you should wash the area with plenty of fresh water, and consult Talk to your vet about possible medications your dog may need, such as allergy medications, eye drops, or antiseptic formulas.
- To combat dehydration, give your dog water to drink and never self-medicate, only the veterinary professional is able to determine what medicines are the most appropriate.
In the event of poisoning with the Christmas plant, a veterinary examination will be necessary to evaluate the functioning of the dog's kidneys, to rule out possible complications. In addition, we recommend that you always have medications at home that you can administer to your dog in case of poisoning, previously authorized by the specialist, because the sooner you act, the better it will be for your furry friend.
