Your Guide to Sago Palm Poisoning in Dogs

California is a pretty great place to live when you are a dog. Nowhere is without potential pitfalls, however, and one danger of the West Coast lifestyle is the sago palm. At Bayside Animal Hospital we see our fair share of pets having dangerous encounters with this toxic plant. We hope with a little education, our pet parents will have a better understanding about sago palm toxicity in dogs and how to avoid this common concern.

Sago Palm Toxicity

Sago palms are a very common plant to find in landscaping here in the Sacramento area. They also grow naturally in this environment, making them ubiquitous in our surroundings. You might even find them in your own yard.

Sago palms have a shaggy bark and glossy green fronds that grow in a circular pattern. They can reach up to six feet in height and shed a large, round, orange seed. They are not actually palm trees, but rather a member of the Cycad family. 

Cycads are known to produce several toxins that they have developed. A relic of prehistoric times, they have survived by killing off their potential enemies and are very toxic to those who try to eat them.

The most concerning toxin in the sago palm is cycasin. Cycasin is found in every single part of the plant, but is most concentrated in the seed pods. Unfortunately, these pods are the most commonly ingested part of the plant. 

Help, My Dog Just Ate a Sago Palm!

Exposure to a sago palm is definitely a pet emergency. Sago palms are very toxic, with cycasin being quite slow acting. This means that once a pet ingests part of a sago, symptoms may not ensue for up to 72 hours.

Sago palm toxicity causes:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea (often with blood)
• Liver failure
• Yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes
• Blood clotting disturbances
• Seizures

These symptoms may continue for well over a week and can certainly result in death, especially if left untreated. 

Sago palm poisoning in dogs is very serious. If you know or think your pet may have ingested part of a sago plant, contact us immediately. Aggressive and prompt treatment is necessary for the animal to have a chance at survival after exposure to this dangerous toxin. 

Because the prognosis for sago palm poisoning is not very good even with treatment, our staff recommends preventing your pet’s exposure wherever possible. Keep your eye out for sago palms. Avoid them in your landscaping and be sure to look for them anywhere you take your pet. Their life may just depend on your skills of observation.