Most plant ingestions in cats cause mild gastrointestinal upset, but a few plants cause organ failure. The most important for the NAVLE are the true lilies, which cause acute kidney injury (AKI) in cats and, as far as is known, in no other species.
Key facts
Ingestion of poisonous plants (including lilies) at a glance- Species and system: cat; multisystemic toxicology, with the kidney the target for true lilies.
- Nephrotoxic plants: only Lilium (Easter, tiger, Asiatic, stargazer) and Hemerocallis (daylily).
- Toxin: unidentified, found throughout the plant (MSD); pollen and vase water are also dangerous.
- Classic presentation: vomiting and lethargy within hours, then polyuria and dehydration, then oliguric or anuric AKI.
- Treatment: early decontamination if recent, then IV fluids at 2 to 3 times maintenance for 48 to 72 hours. There is no antidote.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- True lilies: cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs and timeline
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management of lily exposure
- Other important plants (MSD)
- Prevention and prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 1 figure, 3 self-test questions and 7 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.