Let's talk about lovely lilies

 

Signifying the rebirth for some, they are the anti-rebirth for our feline friends. Dog-owners, rest easy, they thankfully do not affect our canine companions. Every single part of the Lily plant is threat to you cat – and a very serious one too as it kills the kidneys.

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Even a small amount of pollen can cause death within a couple of days! Terrifying and unfortunately, too true.

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There are so many different types of lilies out there, so which ones are toxic?

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It is members of the Lilium and Hermerocallis families that are toxic to cats. These include the Easter lily, Daylily, Tiger lily, Stargazer lily etc.  Others, such as peace lily or lily-of-the-valley, don't affect the kidneys like the former do, but some species do have other toxic properties (affecting the heart, for example).

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The Lily toxin causes sudden kidney failure – the kidneys can totally shut down a day or two post ingestion. 

 

The kidneys play a vital role in excreting toxic waste from our bodies and we cannot survive without them.  If the toxicity has been diagnosed early enough, say within 10-15 hours post-ingestion, there is a chance of saving your cat.

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If diagnosed immediately post-ingestion, we will get your cat to vomit up the bad-stuff.

If it has been longer, and the toxin is already in their system, then aggressive I.V. fluid therapy with close monitoring of renal function via blood and urine testing, gives them the best shot at survival.

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And you know we will do everything we can to save them, if this terrible thing does happen. With Lily toxicity, prevention is undeniably the way to go, since there is no cure.

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Be Lily-wise this Easter.

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Pull them out of your gardens if you own cats, talk to your florists about ‘no-lilies’ in the bouquets you order and spread the word so we don't lose pets to this beautiful but toxic flower.

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Have a happy and safe Easter!