Lilies Are Poisonous To Cats

CHICAGO, March 27, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- The veterinarians at Chicago Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center (www.ChicagoPetEmergency.com) remind pet owners that lilies are often deadly for cats.  

"Each year, cats that have ingested some part of a lily plant are brought into our emergency room.  Sometimes, the pet cannot be saved," said Dr. Jerry Klein, supervising veterinarian of Chicago Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center.  "Without treatment, the cat will suffer from renal failure and die. Treatment generally requires hospitalization."

Virtually all lilies are toxic to cats including common lily plants such as Asiatic, day, Easter, stargazer and tiger lilies. All parts of the lily are poisonous to cats including the flower, leaves and pollen. A cat can even be poisoned by drinking water from a vase with lilies in it. Cats that ingest any part of a lily may develop acute renal failure and die within days.  Although there is no antidote, prompt treatment within 18 hours of ingestion can help save the cat.

Dr. Klein went on to say that, "As we approach Easter, we encourage cat owners not to allow lilies in their home. And, if there are outdoor cats in your neighborhood, please don't plant lilies in your yard."

Some types of lily and other springtime plants can also present a danger to dogs. These include azaleas, calla lily, lily-of-the-valley and peace lily to name a few. Some of those plants are also toxic to cats.

Other dangers for dogs this time of the year include chocolate and sugar-free treats. Chocolate can be poisonous to dogs. The darker the chocolate, the greater the danger to the dog. Sugar-free candy and gum generally contain xylitol, which is poisonous to dogs.

Chicago Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center is open 24-hours, every day of the year. Their highly-trained staff and expert veterinarians work in a state-of-the-art facility to provide care for cats and dogs when they need it most.

About Chicago Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center

(www.ChicagoPetEmergency.com)

Chicago's oldest and largest pet emergency facility, the Chicago Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center provides advanced emergency, critical and specialty care for cats and dogs. Each year, the center treats more than 11,000 cats and dogs in its emergency room and thousands more are cared for by veterinary specialists.

Staffed by highly-trained specialists and equipped with the latest technology, Chicago Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center is always open – 24-hours, every day of the year. In addition to emergency veterinarians and staff, the facility offers board-certified veterinarians who specialize in cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology and surgery. This state-of-the-art facility includes ultrasound and MRI equipment, specialized surgical suites, a blood bank, specialized oxygen cages, heart monitors and more. Chicago Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center has been providing emergency care for cats and dogs since 1978.

Media Contact:

Virginia Mann, Chicago Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center, 312-420-3344, [email protected]

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SOURCE Chicago Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center