Be a Friend to Man’s Best Friend: Keep Marijuana Away from Your Dog

As more communities allow medical marijuana, or decriminalize illicit marijuana, veterinarians are seeing an alarming trend. More and more dogs are arriving in emergency animal hospitals with marijuana toxicosis, or marijuana poisoning. A recent study in Colorado showed that 4 times as many dogs were treated for marijuana poisoning in 2010 than in 2005. Sadly, two dogs identified in that study died. Similarly, from 2008 to 2013, the Pet Poison Helpline—a poison control hotline for animals—has seen a 200% increase in calls related to pets eating marijuana. Most times, dogs ingest marijuana accidentally by eating a marijuana “edibles,” such as cookies or brownies, or getting into their owner’s supply. However, there are some instances where people deliberately give marijuana to their dogs or blow marijuana smoke in their faces to “get them high.” Maybe that sounds funny to people that are high, but it is very dangerous for their dog. Why? While it is rare that a dog will die from marijuana poisoning, serious medical issues such as injury or dehydration can occur. Marijuana can cause dogs to become disoriented and lose coordination, leading to missteps and falls, even to the point they can’t drink water from their bowl. Symptoms of marijuana poisoning in dogs include anxiety, panting, lethargy, impaired balance (staggering or being unable to walk), drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, trembling, or extreme responses to noises, movements, or other stimulus. So, the next ...
Source: NIDA Drugs and Health Blog - Category: Addiction Authors: Source Type: blogs