Lilies almost cost this kitten one of her nine lives

Three-month-old kitten, Izzie, is recovering after a dangerous brush with a lily during a recent garden adventure.

Despite her tentative nature, Izzie loves to explore the garden at her home on the remote Ards Peninsula in Northern Ireland – but little did she and her owner know that something dangerous was lurking in the flowerbed: a true lily.

Every part of a true lily is toxic to cats. Whether nibbling them, brushing up against them, or even drinking the water from a vase of lilies, any contact can cause serious harm to a cat’s kidneys.

In Izzie’s case, her owner, 27-year-old healthcare professional Megan Clarke, noticed Izzie’s fluffy white cheeks were dusted with lily pollen after a visit to the garden.

Luckily for Izzie, Megan knew that lilies are toxic to cats, so she immediately washed her kitten to remove the pollen and rushed her to the nearest vet – a 50-minute drive away.

Owners who suspect their cat has ingested lily pollen should consult a vet immediately, and look out for symptoms like vomiting, loss of appetite, and drooling.

Seeking expert veterinary treatment

At the veterinary practice, Izzie was put on a drip to support her vital organs and monitored closely, though her recovery was not without its complications.

The teething kitten kept nibbling through her IV line – but thanks to her owner’s prompt action, and the expertise of the vet, Izzie was able to go home a couple of days later to continue her recovery.

But not all cats are as lucky. Time is of the essence when a cat has ingested lily pollen. If a poisoned cat is treated within three hours, there’s a good chance of a full recovery. However, if treatment is delayed between three and six hours, there is an increased risk of lifelong kidney problems.

Unfortunately, if untreated for longer than six hours, medical treatment is often unsuccessful, making it fatal for some poor feline friends.

A happy ending

Izzie has since fully recovered, with her owner Megan reflecting, “Despite it all being very worrying, the experience with the vet was entirely faff-free thanks to my Agria Pet Insurance policy. The vet even commented on how great they are!”

When Megan adopted Izzie and her brother George, she took advantage of Agria’s five weeks of free insurance and decided to extend after the initial free period: “It wasn’t overly expensive, so continuing the insurance to Agria Lifetime seemed the responsible thing to do – I’d be crazy not to!” Megan explained.

Agria liaised directly with the veterinary clinic to cover the £2,500 vet bill for Izzie’s treatment, which Megan said, “gave full peace of mind.” And now Megan’s garden is lily-free and safe for Izzie and her brother to explore.

About the Author

Sam Khan shares her woodland home with Junior, the cat, Gully, the dog and bunnies Hugo & Billy, sometimes playing the family’s ‘favourite’ game with the tortoise – “Where’s Churchill?” She loves writing for Agria, sharing our passion for animal welfare, protecting biodiversity and the environment. When not writing or illustrating, she will be making something, reading a book or swimming in the lake at the bottom of her lane.