Why is mistletoe toxic to dogs?
Perennial hemiparasitic plant of the Loranthaceae family, mistletoe (viscum album) grows in the shape of a tuft on certain deciduous trees such as apple, oak, fir or even poplar.
Its translucent white berries, present from September to January, as well as its thick leaves, make mistletoe a decorative plant that is traditionally hung above doors or from the ceiling during the end-of-year celebrations . The belief says that it brings good luck to anyone who kisses under its branches.
In reality, mistletoe does not really bring happiness to our pets who are likely to become poisoned by swallowing its fruit or any other part of the plant.If you're decorating your home with mistletoe for the holiday season, then be sure not to leave it on your dog's muzzle. Always remember to quickly pick up mistletoe berries or leaves if they fall on the ground.
The mistletoe owes its toxicity to several substances with diuretic, hypotensive and necrotizing actions for the mucous membranes, including viscotoxin, a protein which is therefore very dangerous for the dog.
Dog mistletoe poisoning: what are the signs?
The symptoms of poisoning appear a few hours after ingesting mistletoe. Their intensity depends on the quantity swallowed by the animal.
In the event of moderate ingestion, the signs of intoxication are dominated by digestive disorders which include vomiting, hypersalivation, abdominal pain and sometimes hemorrhagic diarrhoea. The dog may also feel the need to drink and urinate more (polyuro-polydipsia).
Breathing difficulties (dyspnea) can also occur in case of pharyngeal oedema.
In case of ingestion of large amounts of toxic, the animal may suffer from hypotension, which does not result in fatigue or weakness. And, we can also witness the appearance of neurological disorders such as dilation of the pupils (mydriasis), abnormal gait with uncoordinated movements and balance disorders (ataxia), heightened sensitivity (hyperesthesia), paralysis and/or a coma.
In case of massive ingestion of berries, poisoning can unfortunately result in the death of the animal.
My pet ate mistletoe balls: what to do?
If your pet has eaten berries, leaves or pieces of mistletoe branches, it is urgent to quickly consult a veterinarian who can put in place a treatment to help your pet eliminate the toxic.Time is running out to limit the consequences of poisoning in your pet because, alas, there is no antidote to mistletoe viscotoxin. So don't wait for your pet to develop signs of intoxication before calling a veterinarian, at any time of the day or night!
If your usual veterinarian does not offer on-call service, contact the nearest veterinary clinic or practice before taking your dog there.