Jerry the Burmese cat was enjoying his very first Christmas! There were decorations to bat around, wrapping paper to scrabble around in, and present bags to hide in and then spring out of unexpectedly.

Best of all was the real Christmas tree that his owners brought in, which Jerry loved playing under and climbing in that first night.

However, the next morning, Jerry wasn’t feeling so merry. His owner Michelle found him looking unusually withdrawn and drooling copiously. Jerry had also vomited a couple of times overnight, bringing up his dinner and then a couple of frothy yellow puddles.

Concerned, Michelle booked Jerry for a prompt check with his regular vet Dr Jim. On examination, Dr Jim quickly spotted the issue – Jerry had an inflamed tongue and throat, and a very tender belly. On questioning, Michelle recalled that Jerry had been playing around the new tree last night.

Dr Jim advised that, unfortunately, pine or fir tree sap can be irritating or even toxic to cats. Cats may lick the sap out of curiosity, drink it via the plant pot water, or accidentally get it on their fur and then groom it off.

Cats who ingest the sap can develop mouth or gastrointestinal irritation, with signs of drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy. Large amounts can lead to more serious poisoning.

Dr Jim advised that Jerry come into hospital for some supportive care, involving intravenous fluids, pain relief, anti-nausea medication, and blood tests to monitor his organ function.

After three days of hospital care, Jerry was much improved and was beginning to eat soft food again. He was able to go home with ongoing medications and a pre-emptive rehoming of the troublesome tree to Michelle’s parents’ house.

From now on, Michelle only uses an artificial Christmas tree, and to be safe, keeps it well fenced-off from Jerry!