QueenScoopalot
03-19-2005, 07:03 PM
FELINE HEALTH ALERT: LILIES CAN BE LETHAL
With Easter just around the corner, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) has partnered with the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in a campaign to educate companion animal caretakers about the potential dangers of some of the most popular springtime plants. Many kinds of lilies—including Easter lily, tiger lily, rubrum lily, Japanese show lily and some species of the day lily—can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested.
Last year alone, the center handled more than 275 cases of cats ingesting a lilium species. Signs of toxicosis, such as vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite, may appear within a few hours, and will continue to worsen as damage to the kidneys progresses. Without prompt and proper treatment, kidney failure can develop in 36-72 hours. "Unfortunately, all parts of the lily are considered toxic to cats," says APCC veterinary toxicologist Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant. "Consuming even small amounts can be life-threatening."
You can keep your feline family members safe and sound by simply removing all dangerous plants from their access. We also encourage you to consider beautiful but safer alternatives to lilies, such as Easter orchids, Easter daisies and violets. To help you identify potentially harmful members of the lily family, the APCC and CFA have developed online informational materials that include photos of dangerous species and a list of nontoxic plants. Please visit APCC or CFA to take a look.
With Easter just around the corner, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) has partnered with the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in a campaign to educate companion animal caretakers about the potential dangers of some of the most popular springtime plants. Many kinds of lilies—including Easter lily, tiger lily, rubrum lily, Japanese show lily and some species of the day lily—can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested.
Last year alone, the center handled more than 275 cases of cats ingesting a lilium species. Signs of toxicosis, such as vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite, may appear within a few hours, and will continue to worsen as damage to the kidneys progresses. Without prompt and proper treatment, kidney failure can develop in 36-72 hours. "Unfortunately, all parts of the lily are considered toxic to cats," says APCC veterinary toxicologist Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant. "Consuming even small amounts can be life-threatening."
You can keep your feline family members safe and sound by simply removing all dangerous plants from their access. We also encourage you to consider beautiful but safer alternatives to lilies, such as Easter orchids, Easter daisies and violets. To help you identify potentially harmful members of the lily family, the APCC and CFA have developed online informational materials that include photos of dangerous species and a list of nontoxic plants. Please visit APCC or CFA to take a look.