Monthly Archives: November 2022

Cats, The Pet Professionals

Keep lilies away from your cats!

Keep lilies away from your cats!

As the festive season fast approaches, we will likely start decorating our houses and receiving gifts from family and friends!

Flower arrangements are a beautiful way to kick off the Christmas season, but unfortunately, pet owners need to be careful when bringing some plant species into close contact with their cats. Lilies are common flowers in arrangements and can easily find their way to your house via a well-intentioned loved one, but these lovely plants can be deadly for your feline friends.

Keep reading to know more about lily toxicity and kidney damage in cats.

Why are lilies dangerous for cats?

Species of lilies in the Lilium and Hemerocallis genus produce extremely toxic substances for cats, attacking the kidneys and may cause irreversible kidney failure, especially if ingestion has occurred over 18 hours before receiving treatment.

All parts of these lilies are highly toxic, as well as anything they are in close contact with, for instance, the water in the pot.

Some of the most dangerous lilies are:

  • Easter Lily;
  • Rubrum Lily;
  • Stargazer Lily;
  • Japanese Show Lily;
  • Tiger Lily;
  • Daylilies;

This list is not exhaustive! If you are looking to buy flowers or received any as a gift, always ensure it is not a dangerous species.

It’s important to note that some species have ‘lily’ in their common name, but they are not part of the groups of lilies that cause deadly toxicity in cats. While these other lilies might not cause fatal kidney failure, some can cause cardiac or digestive problems, so always check before you bring them in to your house.

If you’re unsure, double-check with your vet or keep these away from your home altogether to avoid any accidents.

My cat might have ingested a part of a lily, what can I do?

If you suspect your cat has ingested any part of the plant, including pollen that might have landed on his or her fur, or drank water from a pot with a lily in it, please contact your vet immediately! Even a tiny amount can lead to fatal poisoning.

Prompt medical assistance is vital to give your pet the best chance to recover with the least amount of permanent kidney damage. Even though some cats might go on to make a full recovery, this is not guaranteed, even when treated quickly.

The best way to avoid this situation is to keep any lilies away from your cats, both inside the house or in the garden!

Key takeaways:

  • Lilies of the Lilium genus and Hemerocallis genus are highly toxic for cats and can cause irreversible or even fatal kidney damage when ingested; 
  • All parts of the plant are toxic and even a small amount can be deadly; 
  • If you suspect your cat has ingested a dangerous lily, this is a medical emergency! Do not delay in contacting your vet; 
  • When bringing new plants into your home, always check the species to ensure that they are not toxic for your pets.

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Sycamore toxicity in horses

Sycamore toxicity happens when horses ingest the leaves and seeds of sycamore trees, which causes a potentially lethal problem called atypical myopathy.

Due to the unusual weather over the summer that has caused a boom of sycamore seeds, the British Equine Veterinary Association has sent out a warning for owners to be careful when letting their horses graze around sycamores.

Keep reading to know more about atypical myopathy and how to help avoid this problem.

What is atypical myopathy?

When horses ingest sycamore seeds, leaves or seedlings, these contain a toxin called hypoglycin A, which targets and destroys muscle cells. As it causes severe muscular damage, including to the muscles in the heart, atypical myopathy is often fatal!

With only a 30% to 40% chance of survival, prompt medical care is essential to give your horses the best chance to make it through sycamore poisoning.

Clinical signs usually show up as:

  • Depression and struggling to walk or even stand;
  • Breathing and heart problems;
  • Colic like signs but animals are still eating;
  • Urine with a brown or dark red colour.

These signs might be seen in several animals at the same time. However, not all horses are affected in the same way despite potentially ingesting the same amount of toxins, and the reason why some horses are more resistant than others is still under investigation.

Detecting these signs and calling your vet as soon as possible is vital to ensure your horses survive. There is no specific treatment, but animals that improve after the initial event are likely to recover without complications.

How can I help my horses avoid sycamore poisoning?

Autumn and winter are the times of the year when leaves and seeds fall onto the pastures, creating many chances for horses to ingest these dangerous materials.

This is why pasture management is fundamental to reducing the chances of your horses contacting toxins while grazing.

The best way to do this is to avoid letting your herd graze on pastures with sycamores nearby during their season or fence off the areas where these trees are present. If this is not possible, clearing fallen leaves and seeds, as well as providing adequate supplementary forage during the autumn, will help them not ingest toxic substances.

If you’d like to test your pasture for the presence of hypoglycin A, you can ask your vet on how to collect a sample to submit to the RVC Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory.

Key takeaways

Sycamore poisoning is often seen during the autumn and winter months due to the falling of sycamore leaves, seeds and seedlings onto pastures. Due to the unusual weather this summer, sycamores may have produced an abundance of seeds and caused a spike in atypical myopathy cases. Keep an eye out for your horses and if you have any concerns, call your vet to help minimise the risk of intoxication.