Lily toxicity in cats

Lily toxicity in cats is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. Lily toxicosis is
associated with acute renal failure in cats secondary to exposure to Lilium and
Hemerocallis spp. of lilies. To date, cats are the only species in which nephrotoxic
effects have been reported. Dogs ingesting entire lily plants generally experience few
clinical effects other than mild gastrointestinal (GI)Many species of lilies (e.g., Easter lilies,
tiger lilies, Asiatic lilies) are highly toxic to cats, even in small amounts.
The large Liliaceae family contains >160 genera of plants; however only plants
belonging to the genera Lilium (i.e. true lilies) and Hemerocallis (i.e. day lilies) are
associated with renal failure in cats.
Hemerocallis spp. include H. dumortierei /H. fulva (day lily), H. graminea (orange day
lily), and H. sieboldii (early day lily). Lilium spp. include L. asiatic (Asiatic lilies), L.
elegans (Asiatic hybrid lily), L. lancifolium (tiger lily), L. longiflorum (Easter lily), L.
orientalis (stargazer lily), L. speciosum (Japanese show lily), L. speciosum var. rubrum
(rubrum lily), and L. umbellatum (red lily, western lily, wood lily).
Other plants bearing the common name of “lily” may not be true lilies, e.g. Convallaria
majalis (lily-of-the-valley), Spathiphyllum spp. (peace lily), and Zantedeschia spp. (calla
lily). Although some of these latter plants contain oxalates or can be cardiotoxic, they do
not cause renal injury

Toxicity Overview
– All parts of the lily plant (flowers, leaves, pollen, stems) are toxic.
-Even small ingestion can cause severe kidney damage.
– Licking pollen from their fur or plants can also cause toxicity.
Signs and Symptoms
– Acute vomiting (often severe and sudden)
– Loss of appetite
– Lethargy or weakness
– Dehydration
– Increased urination (polyuria) or decreased urination (oliguria or anuria) — signs of kidney
failure
– Oral ulcers or pawing at mouth (less common)
– In advanced cases: coma, seizures, and death
Mechanism of Toxicity**
– Lily toxins cause acute kidney injury within 12-24 hours of ingestion.
– The damage to renal tubules can lead to kidney failure, which is often irreversible.

What to Do if You Suspect Lily Toxicity
– Immediate veterinary care is critical.
– Induce vomiting if ingestion was recent (under veterinary guidance).
– Administer activated charcoal to absorb toxins.
– Start aggressive IV fluid therapy to flush toxins from the kidneys.
– Monitor kidney function through blood tests.
– Supportive care: diuretics, medications for kidney protection, or dialysis in severe
cases(available at few specialty clinics only).
Prevention
– Never keep lilies in homes with cats.
– Be cautious with floral arrangements, especially during holidays (e.g., Easter).
– Educate family members and guests about lily toxicity.
Summary
Lily toxicity in cats is a medical emergency. Rapid diagnosis and aggressive treatment are vital
to prevent irreversible kidney damage or death.