Lilies Poisonous to Cats
Easter Lily and the tiger lily are two of the lilies toxic to cats.
Easter lilies, tiger lilies, rubrum or Japanese showy lilies, and some day lilies are toxic to cats causing acute kidney failure.
Lilies that are in the Lilium family are known to be toxic to cats. Cat owners need to be aware that these plants are very dangerous, it can be deadly for their cat to come into contact with any part of the plant.
- Plant description: Lilies have a long stem with leaves that alternate and a trumpet bloom, for further description and pictures: http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/poison/plants/pplily.htm.
- What part of the plant is considered toxic: All parts of the plant are considered toxic. Any exposure to the plant could be toxic to the cat, ingestion of part of a leaf or licking pollen that came into contact with their fur, could cause renal (kidney) failure.
- Symptoms of lily toxicity: Cats will generally start to vomit within a few hours of exposure. The affected cat might seem lethargic and not want to eat. Many owner will not find this behavior odd for their cat and the symptoms will go untreated. Kidney failure will start to develop within 24 – 72 hours after eating the plant. Kidney failure symptoms include but are not limited too: increased thirst, increased urination, vomiting, lethargy, not eating, and dehydration.
- Diagnosis: The veterinarian will want to do blood work to check the cats kidney function. The kidney's blood values will be elevated within 12 – 18 hours after eating the plant. Death can occur in 3 – 6 days after eating the plant. Many owners will not have seen their cat ingest the plant so the kidney failure will be a shock to the owner. Many older cats develop kidney failure with time but eating lilies brings on kidney failure quickly to both young and old cats, that is why it is so devastating.
- Treatment: If the cat is treated within a few hours after eating the plant the outcome is pretty good. The veterinarian will probably induce vomiting and give activated charcoal to further absorb any toxin. The veterinarian will also want to set an IV catheter and administer fluids to combat dehydration and shock. If the cat does not receive treatment within 18 hours of ingesting the plant I'm afraid there is not a lot that can be done. A decision needs to be made by the owner and the veterinarian, trying to treat symptoms might give you more time with your cat but many times death or euthanasia because of severe kidney failure is the outcome.
The Cat Fanciers Association has also posted about lily toxicity.
Related Articles: Christmas Plants Toxic to Pets and Pet First Aid and Pet First Aid Health Chart.
The copyright of the article Lilies Poisonous to Cats in Pet Diseases is owned by Charla Dawson. Permission to republish Lilies Poisonous to Cats must be granted by the author in writing.
