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Welcome to the Animal Emergency Room Blog. Please meet, and learn about our some of our patients. In addition, please share your companion's pictures and story.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Meet Honey

Honey, a 3 month old English Bulldog, is a rambunctious puppy who loved to play and explore her environment. Unfortunately, Honey decided to explore her owner’s Sago Palm houseplant and chew on its leaves. Sago Palm is considered very toxic for animals, despite being a common household plant.

Sago palm is an ornamental houseplant. The principle toxin of the plant is Cycasin, which causes GI upset and irreversible damage to the liver (a condition called cirrhosis of the liver). Signs of toxicity develop in 12 hours after ingestion. Pets typically demonstrate gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and abdominal discomfort. Since the liver is responsible for clotting pathways, the toxin can further inhibit these pathways and cause the dog to bleed within the body. The prognosis for cycad poisoning is generally poor.

In Honey’s case, she was brought by her owner to the Animal Emergency Room for emergency treatment. Honey’s bloodwork revealed abnormally high liver values. Honey was hospitalized and treated for Sago Palm Toxicity. Treatment involved 24 hour care with intravenous fluid therapy, controlling the gastrointestinal upset with medication, and providing liver support supplements. After two days of hospitalization, Honey was no longer vomiting and began eating on her own. She was discharged to the care of her owner. Upon follow-up with Honey’s regular veterinarian, her recheck bloodwork revealed the liver values improving. Honey was reported to have been doing well ever since.

3 comments:

  1. aww your job seems so rewarding. I have been looking at jobs in Vancouver animal emergency. Do you know what the qualifications are to get hired?

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  2. That is so sad to hear about, but at least there are pet emergency care services to help take care of this Bulldog puppy. It is sad that these common house plants are so toxic to animals and have some serious affects on them. Since she is just a little puppy she doesn't know any better and now she is in trouble. I know that they can take great care of her.
    http://www.polosprings.com/hospital-services/emergency-treatment/

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  3. It's good to hear that their dog is doing better! I remember countless times where my dog would get into things that she shouldn't of. Luckily, nothing was poisonous so I didn't have to take her to the vet. That still doesn't mean that I won't have to. There might be a day where I find out she got into something really bad. http://grovesveterinaryclinic.com/

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