A Nova Scotia veterinarian is warning pet owners after treating an increasing number of dogs for marijuana overdose, and said he’s worried more cases might happen once pot is legalized.
“Dogs are getting into people’s stash, brownies or suckers, and basically they’ve been pretty messed up by it,” said Dr. Jeff Goodall, who runs Sunnyview Animal Care Centre in Bedford, N.S.
Goodall said he can’t remember treating a pet for marijuana toxicity a few years ago.
But in the last two years, he’s had about eight dogs come into his clinic showing the telltale signs — urinating uncontrollably, wobbling, and vocalizing.
“We’re definitely seeing many more suspicious cases,” he said.
While marijuana doesn’t make a dog high, it does cause them to become incredibly ill and in rare cases kills them, he said.
“Dogs are extremely sensitive to much lower doses than people are,” he said.
Important to seek treatment quickly
Goodall said owners sometimes come in with a sick dog reluctant to explain what happened, delaying necessary treatment.
“Because THC stops vomiting, we need to either flush their stomach or give them activated charcoal,” he said.
“[We] keep them in one of our treatment areas where we have a lot of padding around because they are still wobbly,” he said. “Then we let them ride it out.”
Marijuana toxicity in dogs quadrupled in Colorado
These types of cases might become more common once pot becomes legal in Canada.
A recent study in Colorado of 125 dogs found cases of marijuana toxicity in dogs quadrupled after pot was legalized there.
“People are not treating it as carefully as they should,” he said.
“With the pending legalization of marijuana in our country, people need to be aware they need to treat it like any other prescription medication.”
Goodall said he’s also worried people will think what they feel is good for them is also good for their furry companions.
“One of the cases we had was somebody trying out marijuana on their pet for what they thought might help its pain,” he said.
Medical marijuana for dogs?
While the type of marijuana humans consume is toxic to pets, Goodall said there’s a growing interest in other forms of cannabis extracts, which some say are useful.
“I’ve certainly had people ask about it,” Goodall said, saying some studies show CBD oil may help pets with pain, inflammation, epilepsy or cancer.
While veterinarians can’t prescribe it, the oil is available commercially, and some dog owners are flocking to it.
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