Sago Palm / Cycads

Symptoms reported in cats

Most serious first.

1. 1
   Jaundice, hepatic necrosis, and severe liver failure Progresses over 48 to 72 hours following ingestion · This is caused by cycasin, a highly toxic compound in the plant that is broken down in the gut into methylazoxymethanol, which aggressively attacks the liver37. Ingesting as little as 1 to 2 seeds can cause fatal liver failure.
2. 2
   Lethargy, weakness, ataxia, tremors, paralysis, seizures, coma, and death Can begin developing within hours, · These neurological symptoms are caused both directly by the plant's neurotoxin (beta-methylamino-L-alanine, or BMAA) and indirectly as a consequence of the liver shutting down.
3. 3
   Vomiting, drooling, anorexia, abdominal pain, thirst, bloody or black tarry diarrhea Initial clinical signs typically appear rapidly, often within the first 4 hours of ingestion · These initial stomach and intestinal symptoms act as an early indicator of poisoning before the plant's toxins begin destroying the internal organs.
4. 4
   Bruising, petechiae, ecchymoses, and generalized abnormal bleeding Delayed; develops secondary to liver failure within 48 to 72 hours · As the liver tissue dies (hepatic necrosis), it loses its ability to produce essential clotting factors, leading to life-threatening secondary bleeding disorders throughout the body.

Important notes

Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) and other cycads are extremely dangerous and highly toxic to cats. Every single part of the plant—leaves, trunk, and roots—is poisonous, but the seeds (or "nuts") contain the highest concentration of toxins and are the most deadly part. Ingesting just one or two seeds can be fatal. The main toxin, cycasin, causes severe and rapid liver failure. When a cat eats any part of the plant, the toxin is absorbed and begins to destroy liver cells. This damage is often irreversible and happens very quickly. The plant also contains other toxins that affect the nervous system. Symptoms of Sago Palm poisoning can appear within hours and include vomiting (sometimes with blood), diarrhea, drooling, weakness, and loss of appetite. As the liver fails, you may see yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), seizures, and bleeding. Any suspected ingestion is a life-threatening emergency. Please contact a veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital immediately.

• Toxic compounds: cycasin (methylazoxymethanol glycoside) in all parts; seeds contain the highest concentration
• Mechanism: cycasin is metabolised to methylazoxymethanol (MAM), a powerful alkylating agent causing hepatocellular necrosis and DNA cross-linking
• Symptoms (within 15 minutes to 3 hours): vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy; severe liver failure follows: jaundice, bleeding, neurological signs, coma
• Seeds are the greatest risk — 1–2 seeds can kill a cat; all parts carry life-threatening toxicity
• Any suspected ingestion is a critical veterinary emergency — survival depends on immediate, aggressive treatment