Should You Brighten Up The Winter Blues With Lilies?

For immediate release

Should you Brighten up the Winter Blues with Lilies?

Many people like to give and receive lilies; in fact they are a very popular addition to flower arrangements as they can brighten up even the dullest of winter days. But did you know that lily intoxication causes kidney failure in cats? Common lilies include Asian, Tiger, Easter, Peace, Red and Rubrum. Yes, the power of the flower can actually kill your cat, warns the RSPCA.

"All parts of the lily plant are toxic to cats including the flowers, leaves, stems and pollen," said RSPCA NSW Chief Veterinarian Dr Magdoline Awad. "They only need to ingest a small amount of the plant for toxicity to occur. Most affected are young cats, kittens and indoor cats as they tend to play with and chew the plant."

A life threatening condition, cats seem to be unique in their susceptibility to the plant, possibly due to differences in their metabolism. "Ingestion of the plant in cats can lead to acute kidney failure and death if not treated promptly. Signs of toxicity begin within two hours and include vomiting, not eating, lethargy and depression.

"Cats may seem to get better after a few hours; however the acute kidney failure develops in as little as 24-72 hours. Cats then become critically ill and if left untreated they will die."

Over the past few years, as vets have become more aware of lily toxicity, there has been an increasing number of cats being diagnosed with lily poisoning, but unfortunately there are still cats dying from this condition. Don't let your pet be a statistic, if you suspect lily toxicity take your cat to a vet immediately. Early treatment is vital to your pet's recovery.

However, prevention is better than cure. If you have cats, please don't buy lilies, and if you are giving a flower arrangement to a cat owner, avoid giving lilies as a gift.

Media Contact:

Melinda Wills McHugh
Acting RSPCA NSW Media Manager
M: 0413 622 020
E: [email protected]
www.rspcansw.org.au

2 June 2010


SOURCE: RSPCA NSW