Jack was hospitalized at the clinic and was treated with IV (intravenous) fluids, an injection of an antiemetic (a drug that prevents vomiting), an injection that would protect his stomach lining from ulcerating, antibiotics and painkillers.
Blood tests that were sent to the lab showed that Jack's liver had been damaged and that his liver enzymes were very elevated. This information together with the fact that his condition was not improving increased the likelihood of poisoning and the danger to his life. From further inquiry with the owners we have learned that Jack had eaten a Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) that was in the owner’s back yard. Sago palm is a plant that produces glycosides and an amino acid that are toxic. Ingesting its leaves, seeds and other parts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, severe liver damage and more.
Unfortunately, there is no antidote or specific treatment for Sago Palm intoxication. Therefore, we continued with palliative treatment aimed at Jack’s symptoms and supporting his failing liver. On the third day of hospitalization we realized Jack was losing his sight. His blindness was most probably the result of toxins that were not excreted by his failing liver and had reached his brain.
Jack’s treatment consisted of over a week of intensive care hospitalization in the clinic, a specialist ultrasound examination at our clinic and continuous IV administration of drugs, fluids and plasma. Jack was discharged home when he started eating on his own.
Over the next several days and weeks Jack was treated by his owners who hand fed him and continued his medications in pill form. During that time we tested his blood several times in the clinic and saw how his liver enzyme levels were improving. Jack’s liver enzymes reached their normal level after two months of treatment.
Jack is still blind but is back to being his happy and energetic self. Despite his blindness he plays and runs around the park and the streets of Kfar Shmaryahu while being closely supervised by his owners and their family cat Golda, that ever since Jack got sick, started joining their walks and acting as Jack’s ”Seeing Eye” cat.
Jack’s case is a warning about Sago Palm intoxication. Sago Palm is a popular plant that can be found in almost every house and garden, both public and private, and is sold as an ornamental plant.
Luckily, Jack was able to beat the statistics and lived to tell his tale.
