BRIEFLY.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Animal welfare group

issues health warning

The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals wants to alert cat owners that several types of lilies can be dangerous - even fatal - to their felines.

Veterinarian Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, toxicologist with the ASPCA Animal Control Poison Center, says that Easter, tiger, rubrum, Japanese and some forms of day lilies can cause kidney failure in cats.

"Unfortunately, all parts of the lily plant are considered toxic to cats, and consuming even small amounts can be life-threatening," Gwaltney-Brant said.

Within a few hours of chewing on a lily plant, cats may vomit, become lethargic and lose their appetites; kidney failure may occur within 36 to 72 hours.

For more information about toxic plants, visit www.apcc.aspca.org on the Internet.