Dogs and cats are known to chew on and eat plants, some of which pose toxicity dangers to pets. Sago palms are one of these plants. All parts of the sago palm can cause severe damage to the liver and potentially death when they are ingested by dogs or cats.

The symptoms and effects of sago palm ingestion can be severe. Please look out for the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Blood in feces
• Bloody diarrhea
• Icterus (yellow coloration of skin and gums)
• Increased thirst
• Increased urine
• Bruising
• Bleeding easily (coagulopathy, DIC)
• Neurological signs such as depression, circling, paralysis, seizures, coma
• Death

When a dog or cat ingests a sago palm, a toxin called cycasin begins to damage the liver. Liver disease can lead to abnormal bleeding and clots in the bloodstream in addition to neurological abnormalities.

A series of blood and urine tests are performed, and test results may show signs of liver disease. Diagnosis is also based on history of presence and ingestion of the plant.

​If ingestion has just occurred and symptoms are not present, your veterinarian may induce vomiting.

​If evidence of liver disease is present via clinical signs or abnormalities in blood and/or urine tests, additional treatment will be necessary. Fluid therapy and blood/plasma transfusions will be required. Controlling vomiting with anti-emetic medications is recommended. Antibiotics, gastrointestinal protectants and vitamin K may also be administered by your veterinarian. S-Adenosylmethionine, Ursodeoxycholic acid, or vitamin E may be of benefit as well.

You can help avoid ingestion by making sure the sago palm is out of reach of your pets. Ideally, this plant should be removed from your yard to ensure your pet's safety. If you remove a sago palm from your environment, it's important to ensure no debris remains that your pet may be tempted to ingest. Many sago palm toxicities occur when squirrels or other animals transport portions of sago palms into other yards that may not contain the plant itself, so always be cautious of any plant debris your pet can ingest. 

If you suspect that your pet has ingested any part of a sago palm, please call one of our 3 locations immediately or click on the button below in order to seek help from the best veterinarians in The Woodlands.

Heatstroke is a common danger for dogs and cats because they cannot cool down by sweating the way humans do. Dogs will continue to overexert themselves when playing and exercising. As responsible pet owners, it's our obligation to help keep them cool.

In heat and high humidity, play time can quickly turn to heatstroke. Heatstroke can occur in all pets but is seen most often in out of shape pets, pets that are unaccustomed to the heat and short-faced breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, or Pekingese.

Be mindful of hot surfaces such as patios, decks, sidewalks, etc, and potential for paw damage. When temperatures are high, avoid walking dogs on these hot surfaces. As a general rule, if you cannot tolerate the back of your hand on the surface for 5-10 seconds, then it's too hot for your pet to walk on.

Follow these tips to help prevent overexertion and heatstroke in pets:

• Play and exercise in early morning and late evening
• Avoid exposure to the midday heat
• Wet your pet's coat
• Offer cool (but not iced) drinking water
• Do NOT leave your pet in an unattended vehicle

Leaving or confining your dog or cat in any unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger their health or well-being could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death to the animal. Don't take that chance! 

Even though you are taking every precaution to keep your pet(s) cool, there are certain breeds that are simply more susceptible to overexertion and heatstroke. 

So keep your eyes peeled for the following signs of overheating:

• Body temperature above 104%
• Excessive panting
• Bright red tongue and gums
• Staggering
• Seizures
• Bloody diarrhea
• Vomiting

If you notice these signs, or suspect heatstroke in your pet, seek veterinary attention immediately! A dog or cat can suffer permanent damage or death in a very short time when left in a parked vehicle. NEVER leave animals in cars unattended, not just when conditions are hot. Even in cool conditions, car temperatures can be higher than expected. The heat-related death of a beloved pet is a tragic, completely preventable situation. There are no statistics on how many dogs die every year from heat exposure, because the majority of cases go unreported.

Give us a call to make an appointment for your pet and let our front desk staff know if it is an emergency situation.

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