Cat, from Thinkstock
Dear Dr. John,
I am an usher at church this Easter Sunday and I seek your counsel on whether I ought to bring home a couple of of the Easter Lily plants after our services. I own 2 cats that are young and naughty. They like to enter things, and I comprehend that these plants can be harmful to cats. What does it do to them? Also, my house cleaner said that in her home nation of Brazil there is a brand-new cat illness walking around that is likewise hazardous to individuals that she became aware of from her loved ones. Have you heard anything about this and, if so, what is it? Thanks, and Happy Easter. S.W.
Dear S.W.,
Easter lilies are certainly extremely harmful and hazardous to cats, as are other lily plants. Ingesting even any quantity of the plant, and cats are susceptible to chewing plants and leaves, can cause kidney failure and even death. Cats that do consume the plants can throw up and end up being weak ultimately causing drinking and urinating more, oral sores, heavy breathing, and more.
If you do plan to bring plants home after church, make certain your cats keep away from them. To be safe, I would most likely not bring those plants home to 2 young and naughty cats. If a cat has actually consumed these lilies, instant treatment by a vet is necessary to avoid permanent kidney damage. I indicate instant to be less than 6-12 hours. This treatment consists of causing throwing up if not far too late to do so, consuming neutralizers to bind up the toxic substance, and intravenous fluid dialysis.
As for your 2nd concern, the CDC has simply likewise provided a cautioning about the cat problem in Brazil which is a zoonotic one that can impact human beings. Apparently, it has actually now reached epidemic levels there. There is issue here of possible migration to our borders. The cause is a fungi called Sporothrix which triggers skin sores in both cats and human beings through bites, scratches, direct contact, inhalation, and even by indirect contact with the spores of the fungi. Luckily, sporotrichosis is treatable with an anti-fungal called itraconazole. Keep your cats safe and Happy Easter.
Dr. John de Jong owns and runs the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic.He can be reached at 781-899-9994.
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