Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Easter lily poisoning causes vomiting and kidney damage in cats
By Rumbeiha, Wilson K et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc·2004·Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health and Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: A comprehensive study of Easter lily poisoning in cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat that ate parts of an Easter lily showed serious symptoms like vomiting, depression, increased thirst and urination, and kidney problems. Tests revealed that the plant's leaves and flowers contain toxic substances that can harm the kidneys and pancreas. The study found that the aqueous (water-based) extracts were particularly harmful, leading to significant kidney damage. Fortunately, with prompt veterinary care, including supportive treatments, affected cats can recover from this poisoning.
People also search for: cat Easter lily poisoning symptoms · cat vomiting and increased thirst · treatment for cat kidney damage from plants
Abstract
This study was conducted with 3 objectives in mind: first, to identify the toxic fraction (aqueous or organic) in leaves and flowers; second, to identify diagnostic marker(s) of toxicosis in cats; and, third, to evaluate the morphologic effects of intoxication. The study was conducted in 2 phases. Phase 1 was to identify which extract, organic or aqueous, was nephrotoxic and also to determine the appropriate dose for use in the phase 2 studies. Results indicated that only the aqueous extracts of leaves and flowers were nephrotoxic and pancreotoxic. To identify the proximate toxic compound, cats in the phase 2 study were orally exposed to subfractions of the aqueous flower extract, 1 subfraction per cat. Results confirmed vomiting, depression, polyuria, polydipsia, azotemia, glucosuria, proteinuria, and isosthenuria as toxic effects of the Easter lily plant. Another significant finding in serum was elevated creatinine kinase. Significant histologic kidney changes included acute necrosis of proximal convoluted tubules and degeneration of pancreatic acinar cells. Renal ultrastructural changes included swollen mitochondria, megamitochondria, edema, and lipidosis. Subfraction IIa3 of the aqueous floral extract contained most of the toxic compound(s). These studies reproduced the clinical disease, identified the most toxic fraction of the Easter lily, and helped characterize the clinical pathology, histopathology, and ultrastructural pathology associated with the disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15586568/