News for You and Your Cat

April 15, 2014

Dear ,

Ingrid and Amber

With Easter right around the corner, I would like to remind all of you about the dangers of Easter lilies for cats. Just one small bite of the flower, stem, or even pollen can cause irreversible kidney failure within 24-72 hours. When it comes to Easter lilies, just say no!

As most of us are breathing a sigh of relief that our taxes are finally done, those of us who don't get a refund, which includes me, may not be quite so happy. For all of you, I offer a slightly different view of taxes in a reprint of one of my Conscious Cat Sunday columns, Taxes, Gratitude and Cats.

Wishing you health, happiness and purrs,

Ingrid.

Website: www.ConsciousCat.com
E-Mail: ConsciousCat@cox.net

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In This Issue

Easter Lililes and Cats : A Deadly Combination

Taxes, Gratitude and Cats

Highlights from The Conscious Cat

Upcoming Events

Marketplace

Easter Lilies and Cats: A Deadly Combination

Easter lilies are highly toxic to cats. Just one small bite of a flower, leaf, stem or even the pollen of this plant can cause gastric distress, and, more importantly, if left untreated, can lead to fatal kidney failure.

Symptoms of lily toxicity

Symptoms usually develop 6-12 hours after ingestion, and can include:

vomiting
lethargy
lack of appetite.

Within 24-72 hours, signs of kidney failure will develop:

increased thirst
increased urination, followed by decreased and eventually no urination
dehydration
death

If you see any of these symptoms, and if there is even a small chance that your cat may have ingested parts of an Easter lily, get your get to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic. Keep in mind that you may not have seen your cat eat the plant.

Diagnosis of lily toxicity

Your vet will perform blood and urinary testing. Urine analysis will show epitheial casts (indicators of kidney disease) in as few as 12 hours after ingestion. Increased BUN, creatinine and potassium levels in the blood will be seen 18 - 24 hours after ingestion.

Treatment of lily toxicity - time is of the essence

If treatment is initiated within 6 hours of ingestion, chances are good that the cat will survive. After 18-24 hours, the prognosis, even with treatment, is poor. Treatment will involve aggressive intravenous fluid therapy for at least 48 hours after ingestion. Your veterinarian may also administer activated charcoal to neutralize any remaining toxins in the digestive tract.

Just say no to Easter lilies

The best way to keep your cat safe is to not have Easter lilies in your home, and ensure that your cat does not have access to these plants if she goes outside. Several other types of lilies that are toxic to cats as well: Tiger lilies, Day lilies and Asiatic lilies. These popular plants found in many yards can also result in severe acute kidney failure. These lilies are also found in florist bouquets, so it is imperative to check for poisonous flowers before bringing bouquets into the household.

Photo by Samantha Forsberg, Flickr Creative Commons

Taxes, Gratitude and Cats

Most of us are breathing a sigh of relief today. Regardless of whether we're getting a refund or whether we have to pay, at least we're done with doing our taxes!

Working on taxes can be a delight for your feline assistants, at least depending on your record keeping system. After all, what's more fun than diving into a shoebox full of receipts and watching them fly all over the place?

I spoil the fun for Allegra and Ruby by not using a shoebox system. My bookkeeping software, along with a pretty well organized file system, makes tax time about as painless as it can get, but every year, there's still that moment, when I see my CPA's number on the caller id, when I have to take a deep breath and brace myself for the bottom line. I have been blessed with a steadily growing business, which, of course, means that every year, I pay a little bit more in taxes.

This time of year, people always complain about having to write a check to the IRS, about how much they have to pay in taxes, and about how everything just keeps getting more and more expensive. This seems to be the prevailing "story" and it makes for good conversation around the water cooler and in social situations, because it's something everybody can agree on, right?

I've been guilty of participating in those types of conversations, but I really try to avoid that line of thinking, because it is based in lack. I'm not suggesting that simply thinking about having money is going to create money, but I do think it's beneficial to change how you think and talk talk about taxes, and about money in general. Thoughts and words carry energy, and that energy impacts how you live your life, as well as the choices you make - choices that extend beyond just financial decisions.

I've been trying to change my story and think about money from a place of gratitude, rather than lack. Rather than being angry at the IRS for "taking my hard earned money," I'm grateful that I have a successful business. Rather than resenting writing that check to the electric company, I'm grateful that they've kept me warm all winter long. I know - it's a leap in consciousness, but shifting how you view money can make a difference.

Ultimately, gratitude is about living in the present moment - something our cats excel at. The energy of gratitude is a powerful force. It can shift your mood and your thoughts from a place of scarcity to a place of abundance and joy. Gratitude is also a practice. Why not practice gratitude this year as you prepare your taxes?

ŠIngrid King 2014. All Rights Reserved.

Highlights from The Conscious Cat

Mews and Nips: Calico Cats May Help Cure Genetic Diseases

If you're anything like me, genetics make your head explode, but I do know that genetics are behind the beautiful colors of tortoiseshell and calico cats. The coat colors of these tri-color cats are the result of the interaction between genetic and developmental factors. Cells in female mammals have two copies of the X chromosome [...] The post Mews and Nips: Calico Cats May Help Cure Genetic Diseases appeared first on The Conscious Cat. ...ť

Review: How to Make Your Cat an Internet Celebrity

It's no secret that cats are hot on the internet, and some of the more prominent internet cats have probably made their guardians rich enough to at least be able to give up their day jobs. If you've ever wondered whether your cat could be the next Maru, Grumpy Cat or Lil BUB, How to [...] The post Review: How to Make Your Cat an Internet Celebrity appeared first on The Conscious Cat. ...ť

How to Keep Wild Birds Safe from Your Cat

Guest post by Stephen Pritchard Cats have been domesticated for more than 10,000 years, but domesticated cats still share many attributes with wild cats. The desire to hunt is one of them. Many cat lovers are also big bird fans, which means cats' remarkable hunting skills can often be cause for concern. Indoor cats live [...] The post How to Keep Wild Birds Safe from Your Cat appeared first on The Conscious Cat. ...ť

How Lawn Chemicals Affect Your Cats - Even Indoor Cats

When I go for my daily walks in my suburban neighborhood this time of year, not a day goes by that someone hasn't just fertilized their lawn. I can see the granules on the sidewalk, and sometimes, I can even smell the chemicals. I am strongly opposed to the use of chemical fertilizers, and I [...] The post How Lawn Chemicals Affect Your Cats - Even Indoor Cats appeared first on The Conscious Cat. ...ť

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