Hi Everyone.
This past week, Jackson's little brother, Kirby (tibetan spaniel mix) passed away from ingesting a seed left behind by the Sago Palm Tree. Sweet Kirby was only 1 years old and was the sweetest dog ever.
If you are not already aware about the Sago Palm Tree, every part of the palm tree is toxic to all pets and children.
Please take your time to read up on the plant and if you are a pet owner, barricade/remove it from possible exposure to your four legged loved ones.
Here is an excerpt
"Poisoning cases from a toxic plant called the sago palm are appearing across the United States because the plant most commonly seen in southern states is now sold in big box stores and gardening shops nationwide.
A pet can die within hours of ingesting the plant.
“It used to be that we only got calls from places like Texas, Florida and California, but about three years ago we started seeing cases pop up other places. The dog would eat the plant they just bought, owners would bring dog in, and the veterinarian would say ‘I've never seen this plant before.’ They would e-mail photos to us,” says Tina Wismer, DVM, ABT, ABVT of the ASPCA Poison Control Center and a Veterinary Information Network (VIN) toxicology consultant.
No statistics are available on the perceived rise in poisoning incidents. Wismer attributes the increase not only to the plant's widening regional availability but also to the public's growing awareness of the plant’s toxicity.
The sago palm is a cycad and contains cycasin. Even very young plants are toxic enough to cause death in animals. Dogs and cats are susceptible, as are horses, cows and people. The seeds are the most toxic component.
Clinical signs include vomiting, melena, icterus, increased thirst, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, coagulopathy, liver damage, liver failure and death.
“The death rate is about 30 percent, although that includes euthanizing due to lack of money for treatment,” Wismer says. “If we can get them before they go into liver failure, start them on liver protectants and give activated charcoal, they'll have a much better prognosis.”
The entire plant is covered with razor-sharp spikes and sold as potted houseplants at such stores as IKEA, Target and Lowe’s. It can reach nearly 30 feet in height. Some owners believe that the spikes will deter pets from eating the plant, but that's not always the case. Wismer notes that some dogs will eat anything. "
Hopefully, Kirby's sacrifice will be enough to save your friend's life from this awful plant.