You´ve just noticed that your cat likes to chew on the lilies you have in your garden. You´re worried they could be harmful to your pet. Here´s how to tell.
In this particular case, it depends on the species of lilies, so find out what you have growing in your garden. If you don´t know, take some leaves and flowers to your local nursery for identification.
The toxic species of lilies include easter lily, tiger lily, stargazer lily, Asiatic hybrid lily (Lilium sp.), common day lily, and early daylily (Hemerocallis sp.) Other plants we commonly refer to as lilies, such as cala lily and peace lily, are not toxic. The flowers tend to be the most toxic part of the plant, but easter lilies have toxins in the leaves as well.
If your cat has eaten enough of a flower or leaf to be poisoned, it will usually start to drool and vomit. As the intoxication progresses, your cat can appear uncoordinated and drunken, may tremble or have seizures. Progression without immediate treatment can lead to kidney failure and death. These plants are also toxic to dogs, with young animals being more prone to severe illness and death from toxin ingestion.
So, immediate medical attention should be sought if your kitty has eaten a toxic lily. Often, my clients aren´t sure, but think their cat or dog ate something toxic. I would rather err on the side of being over cautious in these cases.
I usually induce vomiting as long as the ingested toxin won´t cause more damage if vomited up, and give the pet an absorbent like activated charcoal to help absorb any other toxins in the intestinal tract. Depending on the severity of the toxin and clinical signs, the pet may be placed on I.V. fluids and lab work run to check organ function.
If you catch your pet eating a poisonous plant, and you cannot immediately get it to a clinical facility, you can induce vomiting by giving oral hydrogen peroxide. This is assuming your pet is conscious and not showing any of the signs I mentioned before. A few mouthfuls of hydrogen peroxide will usually induce vomiting. Be careful to clean their mouth out after they vomit to prevent inhalation of the foam they will throw up. Check the vomit for the toxic plant. Then seek further help from your veterinarian to prevent further absorption of any toxins that may have passed from the stomach.
Sharon E. Anderson, DVM
