The Dangers of the Sago Palm

[SusieQ36305]

I thought I would never have to share a story like this, but here goes. Four weeks ago tonight, I came home from work and errands to find a sago palm seed and a broken shell in my husband's recliner. I had found the seeds once before, and threw them away. I didn't know if one of my yorkies had brought in an empty shell or what. We had a sago palm for about 15 years since we built our pool and never a problem. My little girl, Roxie, who was three years old, staring vomiting around 8:00 that night. She continued to be sick all night and then had diarrhea. About 2 AM she really took a turn for the worse and could not even stand. We rushed her to the Pet ER and the vet said it was some sort of toxicity and did not know if she would make it. I told her about the sago seed and she said it was extremely poison. They gave her fluids, charcoal and such and got her stabilized. Roxie almost went into a coma from such low blood sugar before we could get her there. I gave her Karo syrup even before I talked to the vet because she was hypocglycemic as a puppy. The vet said this was all that saved her. I had given it to her on a spoon, but she said just to rub it on her gums, it could be absorbed this way. She got over the initial crisis and was hospitalized at a regular vet. She continued to decline, developed a secondary infection and fever, passed blood clots and passed away after three days. All of this because of a SAGO PALM!!! The seed is the most deadly part, but all of it is poison. Not one bit of this plant is not dangerous. It is CYANIDE !! My 8 pound baby girl was no match for it. She did not want to leave us, of that I am sure and she fought all she could, but her little body just gave out. My heart is soooo very broken and I will never get over this or the guilt of not knowing about this EVIL SAGO PLANT !!! PLEASE. PLEASE, IF YOU HAVE THIS PLANT GET RID OF IT. We got rid of ours, unfortunately, it was too late for little Roxie. She was the light of my life and I will never forgive myself for not knowing of its poison or not connecting the dots when she started to get sick with the broken shell and seed I had found earlier. Please learn from my mistake and do not buy one of these. If you have one, dig it up and send it to the landfill. These things should be outlawed. Anything this poison should be against the law!!!!

It is my hope to reach enough people that the sale of these plants will drop off so dramatically they will not be sold any longer. They are TRULY EVIL!

[Patti]

I am so sorry for your tragic loss. I agree they should be banned or at the very least a warning tag on them. My heartfelt condolences.

[Connie]

I am so sorry for your loss of your precious Roxie. This is so terribly heartbreaking and I send heartfelt sympathy to you and yours. I remember a member here had two of her yorkies that got sick from the Sago palm. One survived, but her other one died. I remember her saying she would like to see warning tags on these plants, since so many people didn't know about it. Down south they are planted outdoors, and in the colder climates, they are sold at Walmart and other places as houseplants. There should be warnings on the tags of these plants. They are so very deadly to pets and children and so many people have no idea.

My heart hurts for you and I will pray for God to comfort you. RIP sweet Roxie

[dottiesyrky]

How very sorry to learn of the sad passing of beloved Roxie. You did all you could and she bravely fought the horrible effects of the poison. You must be heartbroken to lose her in that way, but she is at peace now. It is a terrible decision to make and guilt always follows. I know, I am crying now remembering that sad and fateful day when my baby lost her fight with kidney failure. But we have to do the best for our babies and must put our feelings of loss aside.
RIP little angel, your momma will always love you.
Thank you for the warning, it sure is an evil plant!

[ladyjane]

I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing Roxie's story...perhaps it will save the lives of other pups. When I drive around this area, I am stunned at the numbers of these plants that are all over and often wonder if people know how dangerous they are.

RIP Roxie

[kjc]

So sorry for your loss. RIP Roxie.

[_Chrissy_]

So sorry for your loss.
R.I.P. Roxie

Wow I never knew about the Sago Palm! I'm going to look it up. I know we do not have them here in MD/DC but maybe when we go on vacation they might be around. Your story will help others

[jfalz73]

What a sad story...so very sorry for your loss....

[Wylie's Mom]

I am so very sorry for your tragic loss . We've lost too many yorkies here to this common palm.

I'm attaching a pic of the Sago Palm, so people can recognize it -- when you see the pic, you'll know how very common it is in the south / southwest / west etcetera.

[Lisa and Pic]

I am so very sorry for your loss. How tragic. Sharing your story could save another so thank you.

I remember several years ago that we had a member that had the same type of thing happen with a Sego Palm and two of her pups. So very, very sad.

Again, am very sorry and sending deep sympathy to you.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I am so very sorry for your tragic loss . We've lost too many yorkies here to this common palm.

I'm attaching a pic of the Sago Palm, so people can recognize it -- when you see the pic, you'll know how very common it is in the south / southwest / west etcetera.

That picture is a great idea! They are everywhere and this way people will recognize them. I hate those plants.

[GuinnessStout]

Also if you are vacationing and taking the pups to an area that has the palms make sure you google pictures of the seeds too because squirrels carry them away from the plants.

RIP Little Roxie

[Maximo]

RIP sweet Roxie.

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I am so very sorry for your tragic loss . We've lost too many yorkies here to this common palm.

I'm attaching a pic of the Sago Palm, so people can recognize it -- when you see the pic, you'll know how very common it is in the south / southwest / west etcetera.

Thank you for posting the picture.

Originally Posted by GuinnessStout

Also if you are vacationing and taking the pups to an area that has the palms make sure you google pictures of the seeds too because squirrels carry them away from the plants.

Very good idea! I am in Virginia and the Sago Palm is not common here, but I do know people who keep them by their pools in the summer.

A common plant here that I never knew is deadly to dogs is the azalea. We have tons of them in front of the house.

Philodendron and ivy -- we had those in the house when we brought home Max. I got rid of them quickly.

Thank you Yorkie Talk for making me read the list of deadly plants. Everyone should read it today if they have not already.

[mperran1974]

I am so very sorry for your loss.

I never knew that these were so dangerous. I also never knew the azalea was as well. How scary!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by GuinnessStout

Also if you are vacationing and taking the pups to an area that has the palms make sure you google pictures of the seeds too because squirrels carry them away from the plants.

RIP Little Roxie

I just added pictures of seeds to my post. I hope this is a good representation of how they look...does anyone know if it is?