Cat Owners Warned of Floral Danger

British authorities are warning cat owners of the potential danger of lilies. As the popularity of the flowers has increased, so have poisoning cases. Lilies are very toxic to cats; as little as one leaf can be fatal. In a recent case, a family pet had brushed against a bouquet. The cat became ill within minutes of licking lily pollen from her fur and suffered renal failure and blindness before dying a few hours later.

According to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals several species of lilies and some Hemerocallis (day lily) species can cause kidney failure in cats. If cats are treated within six hours of ingesting the toxin they can be saved, but there is little hope after. The first case was reported in 1990 in the USA. Last year the ASPCA handled 275 cases of lily poisoning in cats.

Link: Cat Owners Warned Over Killer Flowers from the Telegraph UK

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 5:17 PM on June 6, 2005