Nothing quite symbolizes the regeneration of life in spring like the elegant white Easter lily, but this common potted plant and related lilies can cause serious injury if eaten by a cat, warns a UC Davis veterinarian. "The toxins in the lilies cause damage to the kidneys' 'tubular' cells, which are important for normal kidney function," says Dr. Chris Adin of the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. "Once this type of damage is done, the affected cat may suffer from long-term kidney dysfunction." Adin is currently treating "Julius," a three-year old orange tabby cat from Santa Barbara that nibbled on a bouquet of Tiger lilies. Julius has been receiving kidney dialysis three days each week for the last eight weeks. The most common toxin causing sudden kidney failure in cats and dogs is ingested antifreeze. While toxic plants are a much more unusual cause of kidney damage, cat owners should be aware of the danger, Adin stresses. "If a cat has been vomiting, has a decrease in appetite and is lethargic, the owner should immediately take it to the local veterinarian," he says. According to the Poison Control Center at the UC Davis Medical Center, there have been no reports of lily poisoning problems with humans or other pets.