Pet Lovers

[SeaMaiden]

I am Sharing this post from Facebook 😮

Alright folks, this is going to be a very difficult story to tell, but I feel compelled to share this information. This past week has been an extremely difficult journey for us. Our sweet baby Lily got into one of my houseplants and ended up fighting for her life at the emergency vet for nearly a week. She is now home with a feeding tube and a medication schedule that spans from 7 AM until 12 AM daily. There have been many tears shed, dollars spent, and guilt felt... all because of a $5 plant.

I’d like to spread the word about this houseplant because I had no idea when I purchased it from a big box garden center last summer that this little 6-inch plant would become my nightmare. The Sago Palm is a common house plant and landscaping plant native to tropical regions. All parts of the plants are extremely toxic to humans and animals causing liver failure and death from even minimal exposure. All parts includes the trunk, roots, leaves, and small berry-like seeds that can develop on mature plants. I have seen this plant for sale on the shelves at Walmart, Lowes, and Home Depot sitting among other harmless household plants with zero warning label attached.

***Update: On Saturday, May 16, Lily passed away in our arms. She fought hard, loved hard, and gave us a couple butt wiggles just before she just couldn’t fight any longer. We loved her so very much and gave her all the love and care in the weeks since the incident we could possibly give. We are truly devastated.

If you are a houseplant lover, please research your house plants prior to purchasing. Even if you think the house plant is in a secure location, mischievous little paws may still get into trouble.

Feel free to share this story. You may just save a life.

[Big Joanie]

So very sorry .. what a nightmare .... thank you for getting the word

out ....

take good care and again so sorry for your loss ....

[happycat]

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@SeaMaiden wrote:

Sharing this post from Facebook 😮

Alright folks, this is going to be a very difficult story to tell, but I feel compelled to share this information. This past week has been an extremely difficult journey for us. Our sweet baby Lily got into one of my houseplants and ended up fighting for her life at the emergency vet for nearly a week. She is now home with a feeding tube and a medication schedule that spans from 7 AM until 12 AM daily. There have been many tears shed, dollars spent, and guilt felt... all because of a $5 plant.

I’d like to spread the word about this houseplant because I had no idea when I purchased it from a big box garden center last summer that this little 6-inch plant would become my nightmare. The Sago Palm is a common house plant and landscaping plant native to tropical regions. All parts of the plants are extremely toxic to humans and animals causing liver failure and death from even minimal exposure. All parts includes the trunk, roots, leaves, and small berry-like seeds that can develop on mature plants. I have seen this plant for sale on the shelves at Walmart, Lowes, and Home Depot sitting among other harmless household plants with zero warning label attached.

***Update: On Saturday, May 16, Lily passed away in our arms. She fought hard, loved hard, and gave us a couple butt wiggles just before she just couldn’t fight any longer. We loved her so very much and gave her all the love and care in the weeks since the incident we could possibly give. We are truly devastated.

If you are a houseplant lover, please research your house plants prior to purchasing. Even if you think the house plant is in a secure location, mischievous little paws may still get into trouble.

Feel free to share this story. You may just save a life.

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Thank you for sharing this, @SeaMaiden. As many animal lovers there are on these forums, this may save a life. I had no idea about that plant. 

[Big Joanie]

Sea Maiden .. I thought it was your dog ... well thank you anyway

for letting other people know ....

[PamfromCT]

What a heartbreaking story.  Plants such as this one should not be sold in these stores without a specific warning.  Better yet, not sold at all.

Thank you for alerting us.

[Foxxee]

Oh, no!  No words available to express how horrible this is for you.  How awful this happened to precious Lily.  I'm praying for you.  

This palm family IS widely reported dangerous, particularly for dogs.  For some reason, they seem to be attracted to them.  I suggest you report it to the retailers where you see them insisting they not sell or label dangerous.  I will be doing that.  

[Love my grandkids]

@PamfromCT Seriously? No plants should be sold. IMO it's up to each person to do their due diligence in researching if plants are harmful to animals.

Not selling plants at all is beyond extreme.

[NickNack]

Oh, no, that's heartbreaking--so sad.  I do always look up my plants before I buy them.  Many succulents are poisonous to pets, too, and they are very popular right now.  Thank you for posting this @SeaMaiden .

[NickNack]

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@Foxxee wrote:

Oh, no!  No words available to express how horrible this is for you.  How awful this happened to precious Lily.  I'm praying for you.  

This palm family IS widely reported dangerous, particularly for dogs.  For some reason, they seem to be attracted to them.  I suggest you report it to the retailers where you see them insisting they not sell or label dangerous.  I will be doing that.  

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@Foxxee   This wasn't @SeaMaiden 's dog.  She got the story from Facebook.

[KingstonsMom]

With the holidays approaching, please be aware that poinsettias are toxic to animals too.

Leaves and berries, to cats and dogs.

My MIL gave us one (or more) from her church every year and I finally got it through her head that they're poisonous to animals and I won't allow them around, even outdoors (feral kitties).

I suggested if she insists on buying them from her church's holiday fundraiser, that she drive through the cemetery and choose a lonely looking grave with no flowers, etc. and place it there.