Vet’s Now, the Out Of Hours emergency vets with 34 clinics across the UK, is issuing a reminder to cat owners of the dangers of the Easter Lily ahead of this Easter.
Consuming even just a small part of a leaf can cause severe renal failure leading to a coma and death and Vets Now advises owners to remove the flower from anywhere the cat can access.
Commenting on the dangers of Lilies to cats, Jo Leathers, Senior Veterinary Surgeon at Vets Now in Gateshead, one of Vets Now’s busiest clinics said; "Lilies are one of the most toxic substances to cats and the ingestion of even just a small part of the plant, especially the leaves is enough to cause death. We see a number of cases, especially at this time of year and unfortunately if the cat is not brought to us within 18 hours of ingesting the plant, the damage to the kidneys will most likely be irreversible. Signs to look out for if you suspect your cat has eaten part of a Lily include vomiting and depression within around two hours. After that, the vomiting may subside but the cat will not eat and will continue to become depressed. The poisoning can also cause blindness, paralysis and eventually renal failure resulting in a coma and death."
Jo added; "Owners should also be aware that the cat may brush past the flower and then groom the pollen from its fur, which will also lead to the onset of these symptoms. If the cat is brought to us within six hours of consumption, there is a good chance that it will recover after we have emptied its gastrointestinal tract and administered intravenous fluid therapy; however, if more than 18 hours has passed, there may be little we can do to save the cat's life".
Many members of the Lily family, including the Easter Lily (Lilium Longiflorum) are toxic to cats and Vets Now advises owners to consider an alternative or ensure that their cat is not able to come in contact with the flowers.