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The veterinarians at the Pet Poison Helpline are reminding pet owners about some of the hazards to pets during the Easter season.

Here's one I really wasn't aware of:

"Unbeknownst to many pet owners, Easter lilies are highly toxic to cats," said Ahna Brutlag, DVM, assistant director at Pet Poison Helpline. "All parts of the Easter lily plant are poisonous -- the petals, the leaves, the stem and even the pollen. Cats that ingest as few as one or two leaves, or even a small amount of pollen while grooming their fur, can suffer severe kidney failure."

In most situations, symptoms of poisoning will develop within six to 12 hours of exposure. Early signs include vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy and dehydration. Symptoms worsen as kidney failure develops. Some cats will experience disorientation, staggering and seizures.

"There is no effective antidote to counteract lily poisoning, so the sooner you can get your cat to the veterinarian, the better his chances of survival will be," said Brutlag. "If you see your cat licking or eating any part of an Easter lily, call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline immediately. If left untreated, his chances of survival are low."

Chocolate is another seasonal hazard, with the hotline saying calls about dogs poisoned by chocolate increase by nearly 200 percent during the week of Easter.

Find out more on the group's website.

Or check out the site's new "Ask-the-Vet" videos on keeping pets safe from toxins inside and outside the home.


The phone # is 800-213-6680 and there is a one-time $35 consultation fee per incident, which also covers followup calls.