Lilly Poisoning..
Whenever you buy bouquet of flowers it will almost certainly contain at least one Lily. They are beautiful flowers and it is completely understandable why they are included in any flower display....BUT were you aware of how toxic they are to cats?
If a cat eats any part of the lily it can be fatal if not treated quickly. Drinking the water from the vase or licking pollen off of their fur after they have walked over some on the floor or brushed up against the plant is enough to cause a serious problem for them. If you have lilies and notice yellow powder/staining on any part of your cat’s fur contact your veterinary clinic
True lilies (Lilium) and Hemerocallis are the most toxic to cats i.e. Easter, Japanese, Asiatic, Stargazer, Western, Wood Lilies, Tiger, Red (Lilium) and Daylilies (Hemerocallis).
After speaking briefly to a florist, I have learned that the lilies generally used in bouquets are either Asiatic or Oriental (a hybrid of Lilium genus).
Signs of Lily Intoxication:
* Excess Salivation.
* Depression.
* Vomiting.
* Painful Abdomen.
* Smelly Breath.
* Anorexia (Not eating).
* Dehydration leading to no urine production.
* Enlarged Kidneys.
Treatment of Lily intoxication:
* Aggressive Intravenous Fluid Therapy.
* Possible decontamination (making the cat sick (which is difficult to achieve) and treating with activated charcoal to bind any toxins).
* Blood Samples to check and monitor Kidney Function.
* Check and monitor urine and urine output (to check kidney function).
* Hospitalisation for at least 48 Hours.
* Repeat urine and blood tests may be performed a few days/week after discharge from hospital.
The prognosis is always guarded with any kind of lily intoxication but if treated promptly the chances of a good outcome are greatly increased. There is the risk of permanent kidney damage which you may have to manage for the life of your pet. The statistics used to be 50% survival chances but this has improved over recent years with more recognition and knowledge of the toxic risk.
The key to a good prognosis is early detection and treatment, if you suspect your cat may have ingested lilies do not wait for clinical signs, seek veterinary attention immediately.
Think before ordering your next bouquet….It is possible to ask for lilies not to be included.