Park Hill Vet: Not A Good High
Cannabis And Pets Don’t Mix
By Margot K. Vahrenwald, DVM, CVJ
For the GPHN
Think of the mental image you might hold of a human being high on marijuana – it may seem very common and relaxed. Now imagine your dog or cat high. It just isn’t a relaxed or comfortable effect for them.
Marijuana toxicity has been on a significant rise, initially as a result of medical marijuana and accidental ingestion. With the increase in legalization of recreational marijuana in many states, the incidence of pet intoxication on marijuana has dramatically increased.
A Feb. 13 New York Times article by Christine Chung highlighted this issue by beginning with Dazzle, a young mini goldendoodle who had more than 10 incidents of intoxication after ingesting the butt of joints on favorite, frequently walked areas in Brooklyn and Staten Island. New York City legalized recreational marijuana in 2021, and the first legal dispensary just opened in December. The article noted that New York City area veterinarians have already been reporting a steady increase in cases of pets accidentally ingesting items with THC — the substance in marijuana that produces the high — from sidewalks.
Here in Colorado, veterinarians have seen a steady rise in marijuana toxicity since medical marijuana was legalized in 2000. There was another big jump after the legalization of recreational marijuana in 2012. (This also is true for increasing numbers of marijuana toxicity cases in children under the ages of 10, according to a 2021 report in the Journal of the American Medical Association.)
The Pet Poison Helpline has seen a 448 percent increase in marijuana cases since 2018. While there is an unknown percentage of pet intoxications from the ingestion of marijuana and from second-hand smoke, researchers found that many pet (as well as child) intoxications are from edible products containing THC. Edibles can be particularly risky because they often have very high concentrations of THC and may be combined with other potential toxins like xylitol or chocolate.
The candies and other edibles that make it simple and easy for adults to eat are also very attractive to children and pets. An April 2022 report in the scientific journal PLOS ONE surveyed veterinarians across the US and Canada. It found that cannabis poisoning was most frequently seen in dogs, but intoxication had also been reported in cats, iguanas, ferrets, horses and, surprisingly, cockatoos.
The symptoms of marijuana toxicity are typical benign and rarely fatal. Clinical signs can begin about 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion. They include:
• Urinary incontinence
• Disorientation
• Hyper-salivation
• Inactivity
• Incoordination
• Dilated pupils
• Increased sensitivity to motion
• Hyperexcitability and agitation appear in about 25 percent of cases
Veterinary examinations reveal abnormally slow heart rate and signs of depression of the central nervous system for animals who have THC in their systems. Treatment is supportive and based on the degree of intoxication; very severe intoxications may need hospitalization.
The genie is already out of the bottle and healthy adults using THC whether via smoking or edibles is fine, but care must be taken to keep those items away from pets and young children.
What can an owner do?
• Keep all marijuana and cannabis plants, buds, and edibles safely put away out of reach.
• Keep an eye on dogs on walks and train a leave or drop command to be able to deal with things that they pick up and could possibly swallow.
• If marijuana intoxication is suspected, contact your veterinarian or contact one of the pet poison hotlines immediately. Be honest – it helps to provide the best care for your pet.
Dr. Margot Vahrenwald is the owner of Park Hill Veterinary Medical Center at 2255 Oneida St. For more information, visit parkhillvet.com
Resources For Pet Owners
Pet Poison Hotlines – both charge a fee to open a case that tells you what to do and allows your veterinarian to access further consultation if needed:
• ASPCA 888-426-4435
• Pet Poison Helpline 800-213-6680
Pet Poison Website – not for emergency use beyond the Emergency Checklist, but good for checking on household and other toxins:
• vetmeds.org/pet-poison-control