Sago it ain't so! This popular plant is actually toxic...

This plant has sneakily snuck it's way into being one of our most popular. Yet, just how toxic the Sago Palm (or Cycad) is to pets has remained a secret for years. 

It's only now with poisonings on the rise, that we're finally learning of the dangers of this spiky, prehistoric looking palm.

So what part is toxic? And do you need to remove it immediately? Here's your answer...

It baffles me that somehow, over the years, it’s been left off a number of lists of dangerous plants. Yet, currently, I’d see (and hear of) as many poisonings from this plant as any other.

So what is it?

It’s the Cycad (or Sago Palm).

A common ornamental plant in gardens looking for that lush tropical feel. You know, that Balinese feel that's been so popular.

What part is toxic?

While all parts of the palm are potentially poisonous, the seeds are the most dangerous as they not only have a higher concentration of the toxin called Cycasin. Note, they’re also the most appealing for dogs to chew on.

How much is toxic?
Eating even just two seeds can be fatal. Some reports even indicate the taste of the leaves makes them appealing for dogs to chew on.
While they're also toxic to cats, they tend not to be as experimental with their eating as dogs...

Cycasin is nasty. It's a liver toxin, carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic. Quite a collection.

The signs of a problem? 
Early warning signs are vomiting, dehydration, lethargy and diarrhea that often has blood with liver damage potentially progressing to liver failure and tragically even death within 7-14 days in the most severe cases.

The best solution? Remove them from your garden. I have. It’s just not worth the risk.
They're also spiky as hell. So I may not miss them too much...
Sorry Sago.

Written and Researched by veterinarian, Dr Chris Brown BVSc (Hons)

References:
1. Lake BB, Edwards T, Atiee G, Stone R, Scott L. The characterization of cycad palm toxicosis and treatment effects in 130 dogs. Aust Vet J. 2020 Nov;98(11):555-562. doi: 10.1111/avj.13007. Epub 2020 Aug 24. PMID: 32839978.

2. Ferguson, D., Crowe, M., McLaughlin, L. and Gaschen, F. (2011), Survival and Prognostic Indicators for Cycad Intoxication in Dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 25: 831-837.

3. Maeso C, Morales C, Obrador R, Abarca E, Carrera I. Presumptive Cycad Toxicosis in a Dog. Clinical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings: A Case Report. Front Vet Sci. 2020 Aug 14;7:468. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00468. PMID: 32923464; PMCID: PMC7456943.