Common Toxicities: Easter Lily

Easter and Spring are approaching, and while this time of year is one of my favorites -- new growth, rejoicing in our lives, and of course, warm weather -- there is one common symbol that we welcome into our home which is toxic: The Easter Lily.

Lilium longiflorum, also known as the Easter Lily, is one of the most common and most toxic of the Lilium Genus.

The official cause of toxicity is still unknown but a ton of research is being done every single day in the Vet Medicine world. Right now, experts believe the digestion of the plant causes a reaction inside cats to produce a toxic metabolite, which then attacks and kills the Renal Tubule Epithelial Cells in the kidney. This can lead to Acute Kidney Injury and even Renal Failure if not treated.

How can your cat get sick from the Easter Lily?

Any consumption of the plant's leaves and even the pollen can cause toxicity. Whether by eating the leaves as a "yummy" snack or drinking the water the plant has been in, your cat is being exposed to harmful toxins. Here's the craziest but most common form of exposure: Your cat brushes against the Easter Lily, gets pollen on its fur, then grooms its fur. Your cat has just ingested toxic pollen.

What will you see your cat doing after ingestion?

Symptoms vary on a per-cat basis, but the most common symptoms are:

• Vomiting

• Hyper-salivation (drooling)

• Diarrhea

• Decreased appetite

• Dehydration

• Increased thirst

• Lethargy (tiredness)

• Hiding

• Frequent urination

• Kidney damage noted by blood work

What's the prognosis of survival?

This all depends on how early you catch the ingestion of the Easter Lily. Your cat will require intensive fluid therapy and supportive care for approximately 2-4 days. While the kidneys repair themselves, it's important to flush out the toxins with IV Fluids to aid the kidneys in doing their job of filtering the bloodstream.

While preventing vomiting might be a primary objective for most owners, this can be life-saving! Your cat's body is doing what it needs to do by eliminating deadly toxins!!

If you catch the ingestion right away, your Vet will give a medication which causes vomiting, to help rid the toxins. Once the vomiting has run its course, the cat will be given anti-nausea medications to keep them eating while in the hospital on fluids, and they'll typically be given activated charcoal to help absorb the rest of the toxins that might remain throughout the GI tract.

Even if your cat vomits after ingestion, this does NOT guarantee the toxins haven't already been digested; therefore IV fluids are still a must if you want to ensure survival.

So back to the prognosis... There's a good chance your cat will live after ingestion. The chances increase with how quickly you catch it, how aggressive your vet's fluid therapy is, and how long they keep them on fluids. In worst-case scenarios, the cat can receive hemodialysis. If you're located in Nebraska, the closest place which provides that therapy is Iowa State Veterinary Health Center.

Are all Lilies Toxic?

Not all of them. It's important to know what's safe and what isn't, so here's a short list of other common Lilies which can cause toxicity.

• Genus: Lillium

  • Easter Lily

  • Stargazer Lily

  • Asiatic Lily

  • Tiger Lily

  • Daylily

• Please note that Lily of the Valley can cause heart issues.

All in all...

A good rule of thumb is to keep any Lily away from your cat's reach, as most Lilies are harmful but may not cause Renal Failure.