Lily Ingestion

Lilies are beautiful flowers but they can be fatally toxic to cats. The entire plant including leaves, stem, and flower contain a toxin that can irreversibly damage a cat's kidneys. If a cat ingests a lilly, they can go into acute renal failure within 24 hours if they are not treated immediately after exposure.

If you suspect that your cat has ingested any part of a lily, the cat should be taken immediately to your veterinarian. Treatment begins by inducing vomiting and then giving the cat a charcoal liquid orally to prevent further absorption of the toxin from the GI tract. The cat is put on IV fluids for the next 48 hours to maintain kidney function. Aggressive treatment is necessary before the cat becomes ill. After the cat begins to show signs of illness it is usually too late for successful treatment. Signs of acute renal failure in cats are depression, hiding, refusal to eat or drink, vomiting, and no urine production. Symptoms will develop 24 - 48 hours after ingestion of lilies.

The best treatment is prevention. It is best not to allow lilies into a household with cats.