Dogs In Danger Of Marijuana Poisoning, Vets Warn

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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. 

“Twice, he must have smoked way more than he should have because he had a pretty intense reaction,” she says.

He was vomiting, struggling to control his legs, stumbling around, and it looked like he was having these little 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 believed she was having a stroke. She was wobbling, her eyes were red, and she couldn’t walk straight,” she recalls.

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. Did you know that dogs have way more cannabinoid receptors in their brains than we do?  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

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