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A comprehensive study of Easter lily poisoning in cats
Wilson K Rumbeiha1, Jayaraj A Francis, Scott D Fitzgerald
1Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health and Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lansing, Michigan 48910-8104, USA.
Summary
The aqueous extract of Easter lily leaves and flowers is toxic to cats, causing kidney and pancreatic damage. Vomiting, azotemia, and elevated creatinine kinase are key indicators of this plant toxicosis.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Toxicology
- Plant-induced Pathologies
Background:
- Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum) ingestion is a known cause of toxicosis in domestic animals, particularly cats.
- Previous research has focused on identifying the toxic agent and its effects, but specific toxic fractions and detailed pathological changes remain areas for further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the toxic fraction (aqueous or organic) from Easter lily leaves and flowers.
- To determine diagnostic markers of toxicosis in cats.
- To evaluate the morphologic effects of Easter lily intoxication.
Main Methods:
- Two-phase study involving aqueous and organic extracts of Easter lily leaves and flowers.
- Phase 1: Determined nephrotoxic and pancreotoxic potential of extracts and established doses.
- Phase 2: Oral administration of subfractions of the aqueous flower extract to cats to identify the proximate toxic compound and characterize clinical and pathological effects.
Main Results:
- Aqueous extracts of Easter lily leaves and flowers were identified as nephrotoxic and pancreotoxic.
- Clinical signs included vomiting, depression, polyuria, polydipsia, azotemia, glucosuria, proteinuria, and isosthenuria.
- Elevated serum creatinine kinase, acute kidney necrosis, pancreatic acinar cell degeneration, and renal ultrastructural changes (mitochondrial swelling, edema, lipidosis) were observed.
- Subfraction IIa3 of the aqueous floral extract contained the primary toxic compound(s).
Conclusions:
- The aqueous floral extract of Easter lily is the primary source of its toxicity in cats.
- The study successfully reproduced clinical Easter lily toxicosis, identified key diagnostic markers, and characterized the associated clinical, histopathological, and ultrastructural pathologies.
- Subfraction IIa3 is implicated as containing the most potent toxic compound(s).