Daily Survival Guide

How to Treat Mistletoe Poisoning
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1. Determine if real berries have been ingested.
   Many mistletoe distributors replace natural berries with plastic ones, which are light-colored and waxy-looking. Check mistletoe to see if the remaining berries are real; if they are, go to step 4.


2. Look for missing or chewed leaves.
   Mistletoe leaves contain fewer toxins than berries, but present another danger: Leaves have a protein that causes severe gastrointestinal pain, cramping, and diarrhea. Unlike berries, leaves on packages mistletoe are generally natural.


3. Watch for the symptoms of mistletoe poisoning.
   Look for severe intestinal distress in the form of vomiting, gagging, and diarrhea. Ingesting fewer than three berries or two leaves is unlikely to produce significant clinical effects in pets or humans and probably does not require treatment.


4. Call a veterinarian or poison control center.
   Follow the specialist's instructions for dealing with poisoning.