A West Hollywood dog landed in the emergency vet this week after a run-in with a trendy landscaping succulent locals know as the fire stick. The dog's owner says a quick brush against the plant was enough to leave raw chemical burns, sharing graphic photos on Nextdoor and reporting that Wednesday's emergency visit racked up roughly $2,000 in vet bills. Neighbors say they are now double-checking sidewalks and front yards for the plant's bright, pencil-like stems.
According to WEHOonline, the owner, Phu Le, shared a vet invoice from Wednesday that shows charges for wound care, antibiotics, anti-nausea injections, pain medication, and bacterial cultures. After a partial discount, the total came to $2,028.87. The same report includes photos showing extensive, raw burns across the dog's back and hindquarters, which the owner says followed contact with a fire stick plant near West Knoll Drive and Westbourne Drive.
Why the fire stick can be dangerous
The plant at the center of the scare is Euphorbia tirucalli, often sold under names like fire stick, pencil cactus or milk bush. When its stems are broken or crushed, it leaks a white, milky latex sap that is anything but gentle.
Medical literature notes that this latex "is among the most irritating plant substances described" and that getting it in the eyes can cause corneal defects that may take up to ten days to heal or, in severe cases, lead to permanent blindness, according to StatPearls. The ASPCA classifies Euphorbia species as toxic to pets and warns that dogs that chew or roll on broken stems can suffer chemical burns along with vomiting, drooling and gastrointestinal distress. The organization also maintains an animal poison hotline for these kinds of exposures.
Where to watch in West Hollywood
Photos posted alongside the Nextdoor warning show mature fire stick plants planted directly next to the sidewalk at a building near West Knoll Drive and Westbourne Drive, putting curious leashed dogs within easy reach of the sap, per WEHOonline. West Hollywood's Department of Public Works runs a service-request system and lists phone numbers and an app for residents to report hazards. Public-facing information and the department directory are available on the city's City of West Hollywood Public Works page.
What to do if your pet is exposed
If a dog or person comes into contact with Euphorbia sap, medical sources say to rinse the area immediately with cool water and avoid spreading the latex around the skin or fur. Warm water can actually worsen the spread of the sap.
For pets, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and call your veterinarian. For human exposures, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or use the webPOISONCONTROL tool on the Poison Control website. Both StatPearls and the ASPCA emphasize that eye exposure is a true medical emergency that needs rapid irrigation and professional care.
City options and next steps
West Hollywood residents who spot fire stick plants growing along dog-walking routes can file a service request through the city's app or by phone. The Department of Public Works lists (323) 848-6400 as its main contact number. Neighbors in the area say they plan to check their regular walking routes and keep pets away from the bright orange succulents until property owners or the city adjust any landscaping that sits right on public walkways.
