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March is National Poison Prevention Month, a time to shine a light on those sneaky, everyday dangers that can put our pets at risk. And if you’re a pet parent in and around Crestview Florida, there’s one landscaping villain you need to know about: the sago palm—a plant so beautiful it belongs on a postcard but it’s so deadly to our Wonder Pets that it should come with a hazard sign.
They’re everywhere too—lining driveways, decorating patios, adding that tropical Florida flair we all love. But underneath their feathery fronds lurks a lethal secret. For pets, even a small taste can mean the difference between continuing to play ball and an unimaginable heartbreak. Just ask Dave, a local devoted dog dad who nearly lost both his Boston Terriers, Ellie and Ozzy, to sago palm poisoning last year.
The Day Everything Changed
Dave had always thought his backyard was a safe place for his pups—a little slice of doggy paradise. But one windy afternoon turned that paradise into a nightmare.
“We had a potted sago palm we thought was dead,” Dave remembers. “It was just sitting on a stump in our backyard. The wind knocked it over, and we didn’t think much about it. But as Bosties do, Ellie and Ozzy decided it was the perfect toy for a game of tug-of-war.”
By the time Dave realized what had happened, it was too late. Within hours, both dogs started vomiting. First Ellie, then Ozzy. At first, he thought maybe they’d gotten into something minor—maybe some bad treats or just a random upset stomach. But the vomiting wouldn’t stop.
“Something told me this wasn’t normal. I Googled ‘sago palm poisoning,’ and my heart sank. Every symptom matched.”
He didn’t waste a second. He scooped up his pups and rushed them to the Emergency Veterinary Clinic of Okaloosa Walton County in Niceville hoping to his wonder pup’s would survive the ordeal.
A Life-or-Death Battle
The second they walked through the clinic doors, the vet team jumped into action. IV fluids. Activated charcoal. Constant monitoring. The goal? Flush out the toxin and keep their little bodies fighting.
According to Dr. Deugwillo of OnPoint Veterinary in Fort Walton Beach, “Sago palm toxicity is one of the most dangerous cases we see in emergency veterinary medicine. Many pet owners have no idea their decorative plant is deadly to their dogs. Even one seed can cause irreversible liver failure. Immediate medical intervention is critical.”
“The first night was critical,” Dave says. “The vet gave them a 50/50 chance. Ozzy was in worse shape. Being that they were still puppies might have been in their favor, but it wasn’t clear if Ozzy would make it to his first birthday.”
For five gut-wrenching days, Ellie and Ozzy fought for their lives. The vet team worked around the clock, flushing their systems, checking liver function, and doing everything in their power to keep those little tails wagging.
Finally, after nearly a week in intensive care, they turned a corner. Weak, exhausted, but alive, Ellie and Ozzy got to go home.
“We were lucky. We really were. But the vet bills? Close to $14,000. And what else could we do? The alternative was unacceptable.”
Why Are Sago Palms So Deadly?
Sago palms (Cycas revoluta) contain cycasin, a toxin that goes straight for the liver like a heat-seeking missile. Every part of the plant is poisonous, but the seeds? Those little nuggets pack the most deadly punch. Once ingested, the toxin wreaks havoc, causing:
- Vomiting and diarrhea (often the first sign)
- Lethargy and weakness
- Seizures or tremors
- Jaundice (yellowing of the gums, eyes, and skin due to liver failure)
- Excessive thirst and urination
- Loss of coordination or collapse
The survival rate for sago palm poisoning is only 50%, even with aggressive treatment. And even the lucky survivors, like Ellie and Ozzy, sometimes require lifelong monitoring and care.
What Every Pet Parent Needs to Know
After going through this nightmare, Dave now has one message for fellow pet parents: Get rid of your sago palms. Seriously.
“If you have a truck, put a chain around it and rip it out. I wish I had known sooner.”
Dr. Deugwillo agrees: “We often see cases where pet owners don’t realize what’s happening until it’s too late. By the time a dog presents with severe symptoms, liver failure is often already progressing. We encourage pet owners to recognize the signs early and seek emergency care immediately.”
Some people may not be quite ready for the daunting task of removing one of these large plants from their yard or they feel that it is planted in an area that pets would have no access to it.
If removal isn’t an option, take extra precautions and consider doing things like fencing off the plants to prevent pet’s from having access to them. You will want to regularly clean up fallen seeds and any fronds or debris from around the palms as well. It is also always a good idea to supervise your wonder pup’s play time and consider building a strong leave it cue in training to help prevent injestion.
If you decide to remove a Sego palm but still want a tropical feel, swap them out for pet-friendly alternatives like these listed below.
- Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
- Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
- Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
- Bottle Palm (Hyophorbe lagenicaulis)
Acting Fast Is Key
If you suspect your Wonder Pup nibbled or played with a sago palm, don’t wait—get to an emergency vet ASAP. Call your vet RIGHT AWAY and get instructions. If your vet is unable to see your pet or it’s a weekend and your clinic is closed consider giving our friends at On Point Veternary Urgent care in Fort Walton a ring. They are a walk in ugent care clinic in our area. You may also want to call the Niceville Emergency Vet Clinic as well. Both are fantastic options when your regular vet is closed or unable to get you in for an appointmet.
- OnPoint Veterinary Urgent Care
- Address: 1703 Lewis Turner Blvd, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
- Phone: (850) 807-4449
- Website: https://www.onpointveturgentcare.com/
- Emergency Veternary Clinic Nicevill
- Address: 212 Government Ave, Niceville, FL 32578
- Phone: (850) 729-3335
- Website: https://emergencyvetniceville.com/
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Awareness Saves Lives
Before this happened, Dave had no idea that something as ordinary as a potted plant could be so dangerous or that this specific plant could be such a nightmare.
And that’s the real problem—most pet parents don’t know until it’s too late. By spreading awareness, we can prevent more heartbreaking stories like Ellie and Ozzy’s. Even Dr. Duegwillo admitted she was unaware this was such a toxic plant until she moved to our area and says it’s not uncommon to see sego palm related illnesses weekly in emergency medicine. WEEKLY?! Oh my gosh!!
Ellie and Ozzy’s survival was a miracle, but not every pup gets a second chance. The best way to protect your Wonder Pup? Eliminate sago palms, recognize the signs of poisoning, and act fast in an emergency.
Because when it comes to sago palms, they might be beautiful—but they’re a nightmare waiting to happen.
Special Thanks to Dave, Ellie and Ozzy’s dad for sharing his experience with us. If you’d like to learn more about Ellie and Ozzy you can visit their Instagram page HERE
Also a big THANKYOU for Dr. Deugwillo at On Point Veternary Urgent care for providing insights on this dagerous topic from a doctor’s perspective.
