Dogs In Danger Of Marijuana Poisoning, Vets Warn

Dog owners have been advised to keep an extra close watch during walks for discarded marijuana butts. Which if ingested by their furry friend could be fatal. 

A statement put out by the British Columbia SPCA warned owners that there have been cases of pups getting seriously ill from marijuana butts left on side walks and dog parks. 

Shelly Wood, a Kelowna-area resident had to rush her 6-year old cocker spaniel, Joey to the veterinarian on multiple occasions after picking up joint butts without her noticing. 

 “On two occasions he must have ingested more than the butt of a joint because he had quite a severe reaction,” she says 

“Vomiting, losing control of his legs, stumbling, and having what seemed like tiny involuntary seizures.”

Woods added that the incident has made her extra vigilant in public spaces now because the smell of marijuana butts can be irresistible to some dogs. 

Karen Beckmann also had a similar scary encounter when her Labrador puppy, Daisy started behaving strangely. A rush to the clinic and urine test confirmed that she had been poisoned. 

“My husband thought she was having a stroke, she was wobbling, her eyes were red and she could not walk straight,” she says.

If your pet starts showing these symptoms, go to the vet immediately

Even though there have been cases where CBD has been used to treat animals, the dosage and methods are not the same. Dogs have a larger number of cannabinoid receptors in their brain compared to humans. This makes them more sensitive to the toxic effects of THC. 

The signs of marijuana poisoning will range from moderate to severe depending on the amount ingested. If your furkid shows any of these symptoms, get them medical attention ASAP:

• Lethargy
• Dilated pupils or glassed-over eyes
• Loss of balance
• Whining
• Breathing problems
• Agitated behavior
• Excessive drooling
• Vomiting
• Urinary incontinence
• Changes in blood pressure
• Abnormal heart rhythm
• Tremors
• Body temperature too high or too low
• Seizures
• Coma

Symptoms may be apparent between 5 minutes to 12 hours of exposure and last as short as 30 minutes or even several days. Please note that your pet can get poisoned from inhaling secondhand marijuana smoke as well. 

Source: BC SPCA