Lisa Murphy, Penn Vet’s associate professor of toxicology, and Kenneth Drobatz, chief of the Emergency Service at Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital, offer numerous tips to keep pets healthy and out of the ER during the holidays. Below are some of the topics they cover. For more details, see http://www.vet.upenn.edu/about/press-room/press-releases/article/important-tips-from-penn-vet-to-keep-pets-safe-during-the-holidays-2015

Poisonous Holiday Plants: They describe the symptoms caused by eating poinsettias, mistletoe, holly, yew and lilies.

Deck the Halls: Tinsel, wires for decorations, and glass ornaments as well as dough ornaments all pose potential pet problems.

Good Gift Giving: Give toys that are too big to be swallowed or get caught in the animal’s throat. Do not give anything with a string attached. Be sure to remove bells or squeakers.

Festive Foods: Pet owners should maintain their pet’s regular diet. Treats of turkey, ham, gravy, cookies and other goodies can lead to gastrointestinal upsets such as diarrhea and vomiting. Dispose of all bones carefully so that pets cannot get to them. Poultry bones are particularly dangerous, as they can splinter and cut the intestines or get lodged in a pet’s esophagus.

Guilty pleasures for humans, like chocolate and alcohol, can be toxic to pets. Grapes, raisins and the sugar substitute xylitol can be toxic to dogs. Be sure that everyone in your family knows and understands what your pets can and cannot consume.

In Case of Emergency: As with any potential emergency, immediate attention from a veterinarian is imperative. Penn Vet’s Emergency Service is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital is the only institution in the country recognized as both a Level I Facility and a verified Veterinary Trauma Center. The Emergency Service is staffed by an integrated team of board-certified specialists who attend to each patient’s emergency and critical care needs. Call (215) 746-8911 or visit Ryan Hospital at 3900 Spruce Street.