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They ate a lily - please keep us in your thoughts

7.8K views 36 replies 23 participants last post by  razzle  
#1 ·
I got up this morning to find that Levi, in all his sweetness, had left me some flowers before leaving for work. He had left a branch of lilies on the kitchen counter, not knowing how toxic they are to cats. To my horror, the vase had been knocked over and several leaf tips had been chewed off.

Without knowing which cat ate it, we took all three to the clinic where the vet administered a drug to make them vomit. Both Monty and Cheddar had eaten the plant, and now they're spending the next 24-48 hrs at the emergency clinic for fluids and another blood & kidney test tomorrow. We didn't find any sign that Sadie had gotten into it, but we'll still be keeping a close eye on her. The vet said that since we had started treatment right away, the prognosis is good and that hopefully the IV fluids will prevent damage to their kidneys.

It wasn't a good way to start the day. :(
 
#2 ·
One of mine went thru a similar problem. I still don't kow what the plant was but she was sick for about 5 days in total. She spent three days at the Vets. Now she's back to being an energetic little devil.
 
#13 ·
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.
Just got off the phone with the vet and she says the boys are doing well so far and resting comfortably (although not at all thrilled about being there.) They'll be doing a blood draw and urine test tomorrow early afternoon. If everything looks okay they should be able to come home tomorrow night. Sadie shows no ill signs and is currently enjoying having the house to herself for a little while.

Aprilmay, I'm so sorry to hear that you lost your Bella due to a lily; I really wish the darn plants came with a warning lable. I'm sure there are so many people who have no idea how deadly lilies can be. :(
 
#14 ·
Ugh! I'm sure they'll be fine since you brought them right in. Thank God you knew to get them to the vet! It's very scary though!
I had the same thing happen back in February. I knew how poisonous they were, having gone through the drama a couple of years ago but, long story short, the **** Lilies were in my house for two minutes! Although I suspected Nanook I wasn't sure so I had to take them both in. They spent 2 and a 1/2 nerve racking days at the vets but are both fine. Thank goodness. My vet said, if you start treatment withing 24 hours the prognosis is very good.
I really don't understand why there aren't more warning signs for lilies. I think everywhere they are sold there should be a warning that they are deadly to cats (dogs too?). People simply don't know that they are toxic or, even if they do, just how toxic they are. As far as I know, they are the only plant that you absolutely can not take a wait and see approach. Once they show signs of toxicity, it's too late. AND they don't even have to ingest the plant! Just licking a little pollen off their fur or biting into a stem, without eating it, can kill them. It's horrifying!
Actually, that may be a really good sticky to have on this forum. Most people have no idea how dangerous lilies are and it could save some lives (not to mention a lot of worry and ton of money!). Just a thought.
Anyway, I hope your babies are home safe and sound soon! :patback
 
#19 ·
Just got another update from the vet. They did some tests and creatinine levels are normal. They can come home tonight. Yay! :luv
I am so relieved that everything is going to be okay. We feel terrible that the kitties had to go through this, but if any good comes of it, I hope to do more to let people know about these dangerous flowers. I think a sticky is a great idea, and I hope more people will spread the word.
Thank you again for your support. It means a lot.
 
#22 ·
Nell said:
Just got another update from the vet. They did some tests and creatinine levels are normal. They can come home tonight. Yay! :luv
I am so relieved that everything is going to be okay. We feel terrible that the kitties had to go through this, but if any good comes of it, I hope to do more to let people know about these dangerous flowers. I think a sticky is a great idea, and I hope more people will spread the word.
Thank you again for your support. It means a lot.
Glad your cats survived.

I was going to buy a Lilly plant but I've changed my mind.

Do we have any idea what the attraction is?
 
#25 ·
Some cats just like to chew/nibble on greenery. When mine are allowed out they like to immediately drop and roll on the concrete and then they explore and nibble on the grasses of the lawn. I pick them up and bring them inside before they can eat the grass because I don't want them to vomit in the house. I think it is somewhere between eat-grass-to-help-vomit-hairballs and a toddler-like instinct to investigate their world by putting everything in their mouths to catalog it as good or bad.

I have two houseplants that I keep hanging and/or sprayed with a bitter-apple type product. They aren't dangerous, I just don't want tooth-holes in their leaves.


So are they home, now? :D
 
#26 ·
They smell pretty! :lol:
It really is odd though. Nanook and Lucy had never gone up on my kitchen counters before. No, not even when I wasn't looking! They simply showed no interest at all. Yet, in those two minutes the lilies were there. Boom, both were up there in a shot! (And Lucy simply doesn't jump!) It was a whole bouquet of flowers with just a group of lilies in the center. None of the other flowers were touched. They had gone directly for the lily!
So something attracted them to that flower.
Since that day Lucy hasn't been up there but Nanook, for a few weeks after, kept jumping on the counter...as if he was looking for something. Right in front of me! "Where are the lilies, Mom?" So strange.
Mind you, I have plants all over the house, and usually cut flowers too, that they never touch. :?
So, it must be the smell.