Vomiting may induced if the cat recently (within a few hours) ingested the plant and has not vomited. The cat may be given activated charcoal to bind any toxin remaining in the stomach. Intravenous (IV) fluids may be initiated to support kidney function and to protect the kidneys from the circulating toxins.
Treatment involves decontamination, activated charcoal, IV fluid therapy for 48-72 hours, and supportive care. A recent report indicated that early intervention resulted in 90% of exposed cats surviving, with no evidence of permanent renal injury.
If you think your cat may have eaten lily then bring both your cat, and the plant itself if possible, to the vet immediately. The sooner your cat starts supportive care, the better the outlook will be. There is no antidote to lily poisoning. Your vet will assess your cat and implement supportive care.
Symptoms may include vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, depression, drooling, stumbling, collapse, seizures, crying, urinary incontinence or complete lack of urination. Signs may seem to improve after onset but then rapidly progress to worsening signs and death within 12-24 hours. Mortality is between 50-100%.
Kidney failure occurs within 24 to 72 hours, leading to death if the cat isn't treated. Early veterinary treatment greatly improves the cat's prognosis. However, if treatment is delayed by 18 hours or more after ingestion, the cat will generally have irreversible kidney failure.
-The cost to treat the lily poisoning at the veterinarian was $1,542.74. -Pets Best reimbursed Woody's pet parents $1,149.99. Learn more about pet insurance for your cat.
With true lilies and day lilies, signs of toxicity occur within 6-12 hours after ingestion, and fatal kidney failure can develop in less than 72 hours.
In cases of lily poisoning that are caught early, your cat has a good prognosis of recovery. Some animals may have long or short-term organ damage as a result of poisoning. These conditions may be managed with the use of special medications and regular blood tests at your vet's office.
Poisoning in cats is always an emergency situation that must be treated as soon as possible by a veterinary professional. Cat owners that wait to seek medical attention or attempt to treat the poisoning at home without veterinary consult risk the possibility of sudden or long term death.
Recovery from poisoning in cats depends on timing. The sooner your cat has medical attention, the sooner treatment can begin and the less time the poison has to make its way through your cat's system. For many cats, those who receive early treatment will return to their normal selves within a short time.
Some toxins may take 3 to 4 days to show any effects. The types of symptoms a cat will exhibit will depend on the toxin she has been exposed to. If your cat begins to display any odd symptoms, she should be taken to the vet immediately.
25% of poisoned pets recover within two hours. Of the pets that take longer to recover, many can be treated at home with the advice of your veterinarian or with advice from the ASPCA Poison Control Center (telephone 1-888-426-4435). Even with treatment, one in 100 poisoned pets dies.
Treatment for lily poisoning in cats
Treatment for lily poisoning often includes: Stomach emptying. Washing any remaining lily pollen from the skin and coat. Activated charcoal - a medication to try to stop the lilies causing further damage.
As anyone who owns a cat can attest, cats are quite finicky eaters, but are attracted to lilies for reasons unknown. This can often have tragic consequences as lilies are very toxic to cats.
If you suspect a cat has been poisoned, seek help immediately. Call your veterinarian, the nearest animal hospital, or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661. The sooner a cat is diagnosed, the more effective her treatment will be.
Milk is not a remedy or antidote for poisons, nor does it protect the stomach from an ingested chemical or toxin.
Do not give your kitty any food, water, milk, salt, oil, or any other home remedy unless you know what poison the cat ingested and the specific medication or first aid. Giving any of these without any consultation or instruction from a veterinarian or a Pet Poison Helpline may worsen the condition of your cat.
The cat may be given activated charcoal to bind any toxin remaining in the stomach. Intravenous (IV) fluids may be initiated to support kidney function and to protect the kidneys from the circulating toxins. Urine output will be monitored. In severe cases, dialysis may be necessary to keep a patient alive.
But lilies are toxic to cats according to Tina Wismer, DVM, MS, DABVT, DABT, a veterinarian and senior director at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Lilies are bad for cats, from the petals and leaves to the stems and roots—even sniffing the pollen or drinking the water in a vase holding lilies can be harmful.
Unfortunately, this can be a very dangerous thing if you have cats in your home. All parts of the lily plant are toxic to cats, including the petals, the stems, the pollen, and even the water in the vase. Even a very small amount of lily pollen, water, or petals ingested can cause lethal liver damage in your cat.
Symptoms of Poisoning in Cats
Depending on the plant species that has been ingested, the early signs and symptoms of poisoning can vary greatly. Irritants may cause symptoms such as: irritation around the mouth, itchiness, swelling, and red or watery eyes.
If your cat has eaten a toxic plant it may show: Irritation of the skin, gums or eyes. Twitching.
A good way to administer activated charcoal orally to your cat is through a tincture or combining the powder with water and syringing it slowly into your cat's mouth. As a simple home guide, an adult cat of 5kg may need between a 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon/tablet. A 3 kg adult cat a 1/8, or half of a 1/4.