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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

The litter tray

Urgent advice please - amaryllis - how toxic is it?

55 replies

NameChange30 · 26/03/2016 20:58

We have an amaryllis plant and a friend just told me they are toxic to cats - I had no idea (I did know that lillies are toxic, just not amaryllis.)

We noticed some "juice" around the plant so we guess our cat has been chewing it.

I called the vet's 24 hour number for advice and they told us to bring the cat in straight away.

DH says the cat is fine and I'm being ridiculous.

What should I do?!!!

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NameChange30 · 26/03/2016 20:59

We also have two cats and don't know which one chewed the plant, although we can take a good guess (there were "juice" marks in the spot she likes to sit).

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gamerchick · 26/03/2016 21:02

It is a type of lily isn't it?

Personally I would take her in but I take her in for any little thing.

They're little tinkers aren't they.

gamerchick · 26/03/2016 21:05

Does it looked chewed?

NameChange30 · 26/03/2016 21:06

Yeah I didn't know that it was a type of lily until now, I'm completely clueless when it comes to plants (it was a gift, the only plant we got as a gift that we haven't killed yet)

I want to take her in but DH is being a dick about it

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NameChange30 · 26/03/2016 21:08

Yes it looks chewed although not much has been eaten I don't think.

I would prefer to show the plant to the vet and see what they say. If they look at the plant and examine the cat and just tell us to monitor her and bring her back in case of symptoms, that would be fine. I guess it would be a shame to make her vomit, do blood tests, etc etc if it's actually nothing.

But what if it is dangerous and we don't take her? I could never forgive myself and would certainly never forgive DH.

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thecatneuterer · 26/03/2016 21:10

I don't know the answer to your question, but surely if a vet has says she needs to be seen then she needs to be seen. What's the point of asking the internet? - your vet has already told you what to do.

gamerchick · 26/03/2016 21:10

A quick google suggests it affects an organ like the heart or kidneys. Maybe that wouldn't present straight away? I'm hoping someone with knowledge comes along soon and she's ok.

cozietoesie · 26/03/2016 21:10

Take her in - as the vet told you - and take the plant sample with you.

gamerchick · 26/03/2016 21:11

Could you take her yourself?

NameChange30 · 26/03/2016 21:17

Yes I'm taking her, I told DH I am taking her and he could come if he wanted but I am going!

The question now is do I take the other cat as well... He has never shown any interest in the plant or even been in the spot we saw the juice... So we're 99% sure it was girl cat who chewed it.

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Danglyweed · 26/03/2016 21:17

I had no idea about amarylis either, now smacking my head thinking of course theyre from the lily family, they bloody look like them! My cat wasnt interested in eating flowers etc, but im now thinking thank god he knocked it off the window and snapped the stems so had to chuck it. Poisons can be slow workers, def worth a check up.

cozietoesie · 26/03/2016 21:19

I'd give the vet a quick buzz and ask. They may want him in for observation.

Well done on taking her in. Good luck to her.

gamerchick · 26/03/2016 21:20

I would probably just take one and see where the land lies. It's you call you know them best.

Good luck.

cozietoesie · 26/03/2016 21:22

Something called lycorine if I recall, Dangly. I'm not sure there's an antidote if enough is ingested but a vet can induce vomiting and/or give supportive therapy.

Fluffycloudland77 · 26/03/2016 21:26

I'd take both in that situation.

I hope their ok.

NameChange30 · 26/03/2016 22:05

Thanks so much everyone. Thank God for you lot, DH is still being an arse!

We took girl cat to the vet who took her temperature and said it was high (39.4 I think) so he advised keeping her in for tests, observation and fluids. He said if her temperature had been normal he would have given us the option to keep an eye on her at home. He told us to keep a close eye on boy cat, told us what symptoms to look out for and to take him in if we noticed any.

Luckily we have insurance. We have to pay the excess anyway (it's £75 which doesn't even cover the consultation) so we might as well do the tests etc. DH is moaning that the more we claim the more the premiums will go up but he can fuck off I'm doing my best to ignore him.

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Danglyweed · 26/03/2016 22:07

Thanks cozie, the amarylis hating cat now lives with my mum due to her cat(my ones sister) dying in a housefire and my then flatmate being a cunt. Mum very kindly(I say with gritted teeth) had my dc for a weekend 2 years ago and brought back another kitty . I had been thinking recently of getting a new amarylis but def not now. Fuck are orchids safe?

NameChange30 · 26/03/2016 22:10

Dangly Looks like it:
m.petmd.com/cat/emergency/poisoning-toxicity/e_ct_poisonous_plants

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Danglyweed · 26/03/2016 22:11

Oh emma, its def the best thing. Dh can mumble all he wants eh!? We stupidly dont have insurance(because I dont know what the heck kinda policy to select) but i id pay anything for him(the stupid wee bloody ankle curling bed stealing wee shite).

NameChange30 · 26/03/2016 22:16

Dangly We got a comprehensive lifetime policy and we are SO glad because she had FLUTD a few months ago and we claimed at least £1k in total, they even covered her prescription food. I got a good deal through "Bought By Many" and went with More Than. We renewed recently and the premiums obviously went up because of our previous claim... But once again it has proved worth it!

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cozietoesie · 26/03/2016 22:19

Glad you saw the vet anyway. That will have eased your mind as much as is possible right now.

NameChange30 · 26/03/2016 22:22

I just feel like such a bloody idiot for not knowing about amaryllis but at least I know now, I guess.

It's very lucky that we found out - I posted a photo of the mess on FB (joking that it looked like blood splatter at a crime scene) and a FB friend commented to say that amaryllis are toxic to cats. If I hadn't posted the photo I'd still be none the wiser. Doesn't bear thinking about.

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cozietoesie · 26/03/2016 22:25

It's staggering that so few pet owners - or even florists ! - know about poisonous plants and flowers. Lilies are a particular difficulty because they're so 'showy' and long-lasting that they can be in most flower bunches or arrangements.

NameChange30 · 26/03/2016 22:30

I know cozie, I think there should be a law to say that all lilies (and amaryllis!) are sold with a clear warning that they can be fatal to cats.

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cozietoesie · 26/03/2016 22:39

If I were a local florist, I'd be investigating my options and making a big thing of selling 'cat friendly' arrangements. I appreciate that that might be difficult in terms of both cost and admission of liability - so many plants being potentially toxic but not as likely toxic as lilies - but maybe there's a way round it in terms of calling them eg 'non-lily' arrangements or something. I hate to think of how many bunches of flowers/plants go in the bin every week because of knowledgeable cat owners.

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