Easter lilies pose a danger to cats
http://www.wtop.com/149/3601562/Easter-lilies-pose-a-danger-to-cats

WASHINGTON -- Flowers are common in the home around Easter and Mother's Day, but local veterinarians say they can be dangerous to pets.

"Lilies are highly toxic to cats. They can cause a real problem even just chewing on a leaf can be enough to cause vomiting and potential kidney issues in cats," says Dr. Katy Nelson, a veterinarian and host of "The Pet Show."

A cat can die within three to seven days of exposure to the plant, adds Dr. Elizabeth Arguelles, owner and veterinarian of Just Cats Clinic in Reston, Va.

"Even a small amount of pollen is fatal. I've seen two cases already in the past week," Arguelles says.

Arguelles suggests keeping lilies outside of the home and away from the cats.

Pet owners can tell whether a cat comes in contact with lilies when they see the following:


•Pollen on cat's face;
•Missing petals on the plant;
•Chewed leaves;
•The cat vomiting;
•The cat not eating as much;
•The cat urinating more.
Nelson, who is also known as Dr. Pawz, suggests calling the veterinarian immediately if the cat becomes disoriented.

According to Arguelles, the treatment consists of an aggressive, intravenous fluid therapy to flush out toxins and prevent long-term damage to the kidneys. The treatment is followed by two to three days of monitoring.

If you're not sure whether your cat has come in contact with a toxic plant or not, Arguelles recommends visiting the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals poison control center database to find pictures that identify toxic plants.

Although fees may apply, cat owners can call the poison control hotline at (888)426-4435 to receive treatment suggestions and talk to a board-certified toxicologist at any time.

"They are incredibly helpful because they deal with all the cases. They are the No. 1 source to find out more information," Arguelles says.
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Who cares? The shleter is full of cats, if you loose one, just go get another. When we go on vacation, I drop off our cat at the shelter and get a new one when we get back. It is way cheaper then bording them or paying somebody to take care of it.It is not like a cat is a real pet, it would leave you in a minute to ANYONE who fed it better.

Easter Lilies may be a great way to get rid of the neighbors cats who come into your yard.

Thanks for the idea!

I am headed out right now to buy lots of these flowers and I will sprinkle catnip on them and them them outside. This is the most useful pot ever!

thin the herd!

Thanks for the information! Perhaps my neighbor will keep her pussy from roaming the mean streets of suburbia and killing my beloved wild birds.

This year, I'm planting an Easter Lily garden. Home Depot has these in stock now.

Love the Easter Lily plus catnip idea!

This will take care of the feral cat population, no?

Keep your pussy inside! No one needs to see it!

I like how their poop gets all colorful and shit when they eat the plastic Easter grass out of my Easter basket.

Lilies are highly toxic to cats.

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yea the cat eats flowers all day idiot

cats don't eat flowers

chocolate maybe

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feed your cat you looser

In Soviet Russia, cats pose danger to Easter lilies!

Has anyone ever tried barbequed cat? I hear they taste better than squirrel.

There's nothing worse that feral pussy on the prowl.

There's nothing worse that feral pussy on the prowl.

So many cats.....so few recipes

My street now has 3 less cats. People should keep their house cats inside.

when the easter parade when by my cat was in so much shock it keeled over !

why didn't anyone warn me of this danger to cats ?? i want a grant review board and harvard to study this with me as a project leader !!
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"My cat ate parts of 8 leaves on an Easter lily. As soon as we realized she had eaten them and before she showed any symptoms we called poison control and took her to vet hospital. She was given lots of fluids via IV and put on a few meds. After 2 days she was able to come home and is her happy healthy self again."

The cat would have been fine on its own. They nibble on poinsettias, dieffenbachias, and all sorts of other supposedly toxc plants and do fine as well. But if you'd rather shell out a few hundred bucks and put your cat through a bunch of vet-trauma for nothing, well, by all means.