Sunday, April 23, 2000
Lilies can have cats pushing up daisies
Easter variety especially toxic
By Phillip Pina
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Easter lilies were a pretty sight around Andrea Saladino's house this past week. They were also a fatal mistake for her pet.
According to veterinarians, most people do not know the spring flower is a toxic threat to cats. Consuming less than one leaf is fatal to a cat, according to the Illinois-based National Animal Poison Control Center.
“I had no idea, or I never would have bought the Easter lily,” said Ms. Saladino, 29. The East Walnut Hills woman's 31/2-year-old tabby, “El Cidd,” died after nibbling on the plant.
All sort of plants pose risks of rashes and illnesses to cats and dogs. The Easter lily, though, can easily kill a cat.
Owners should be aware of the dangers of lily ingestion and move them where they cannot be reached by a cat, said Dr. Jill Richardson, veterinary poison information specialist with the poison control center.
Those plants that pose the highest risk are Easter lilies, tiger lilies, rubrum lilies, Japanese show lilies and day lilies.
“If you wait 12 to 18 hours, that's too long,” said Dr. Debra Quiles of Grady Veterinary Hospital in Finneytown. “The cat needs to be treated right away.”
While Dr. Quiles this year has not had to treat many cases of lily poisoning, pet owners need to be aware of the dangers, she said. When a cat eats even a small part of a leaf, it needs to be treated. A veterinarian will induce vomiting and put the animal on intravenous fluids.
While Ms. Saladino's other cat avoids them, the playful El Cidd was always a plant eater, she said. Then one day this past week, she noticed a couple of leaves of the Easter lily had been nipped.
Within hours, El Cidd was getting sick and vomiting. She took the cat to her veterinarian on April 17. El Cidd died within days, despite the vet's care.
Since then, Ms. Saladino has been warning her friends and other cat owners to watch their animals and plants. “People need to know this could happen,” she said.
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