Death of cat after contact with lilies highlights hazards for pets

 

A cat has died after ingesting pollen from a bunch of lilies bought by her owner. This incident underlines the hidden dangers facing our cats and dogs in the home and garden.

The cat, a Siamese breed, was immediately sick after licking away pollen from its fur, and later died after suffering renal failure, blindness and paralysis.

Caroline Reay, chief veterinary surgeon at The Blue Cross animal hospital in Hammersmith, says: “Unfortunately, lilies are poisonous to cats. Siamese cats are naturally very investigative, and owners should obviously be more careful with animals confined indoors, as this gives the pet more time to spend on chewing things they shouldn't. Kittens are also more investigative.”

She adds: “There are a lot of poisonous plants out there that pose a danger to pets. Cats do generally leave things alone, but we find dogs are at more of a risk from ingesting harmful things, so it is important, for example, to keep dangerous medicines out of their reach in the home.”

Further information

The Blue Cross’s FREE pet care information service, All About Pets, offers advice on hidden dangers for both cats and dogs. Go to www.allaboutpets.org.uk for more information.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has lots of useful information on poisonous substances, and advice. Click here for more information from the ASPCA

The Veterinary Partner website has a Pet Health Library, which contains information on safe gardening, and which plants pose a threat to your pet. Click here for more information from Veterinary Partner