The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Marijuana The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Marijuana
Showing posts with label Marijuana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marijuana. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Study Shows that Pets Accidentally Ingesting Medical Marijuana and Going to the Emergency Room has Quadrupled Since 2005


Northwest Portland residents Ginger McCarthy and her husband, Michael, spent what they thought was a perfect day at Mill Pond Park on Sunday with their standard poodle, Coco.

That is, until after a few hours after they returned home and Coco began to act strangely. The dog looked dazed, her movements were jerky and she had trouble walking. “She looked like she was having a seizure,” McCarthy says.

At DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital that evening, McCarthy was shocked to discover that her show-quality poodle was exhibiting the classic signs of marijuana ingestion – especially after Coco released her bladder on the lobby floor.

Oregon and Washington veterinarians recognize those distinctive symptoms with increasingly frequency, as marijuana ingestion becomes more common at their clinics.

DoveLewis has seen marijuana-related toxicity cases increase from about 11 percent of all toxicity cases in 2011 to nearly 20 percent in 2012 and the first few months of 2013, says communications director Kate Goudschaal. The hospital treated eight cases last month.

At Tanasbourne Veterinary Emergency, Dr. Shawn Thomas estimates he treats at least one to two cases each weekend and about 20 or 30 cases in the last two years – and that’s likely a low estimate.

“There are very specific clinical signs,” says DoveLewis staff veterinarian Dr. MeiMei Welker. “They’ll walk in, and we can almost diagnose it by the way that they look. They’re having trouble walking, almost like they’re drunk, and they’re really sensitive to any kind of stimulation.”

Dribbling urine is also a telltale sign.

Dogs can get sick from ingesting it in any form, Welker says, from marijuana leaves (which are less potent) to “bud butter.”

McCarthy isn’t sure exactly what Coco ingested at the park; all she saw were breadcrumbs, so she suspects Coco consumed either the remains of marijuana-infused baked goods or cigarette butts.

Treatment

Typical treatment involves inducing vomiting, if the dog arrives to the hospital soon enough after ingestion, to remove as much of the substance from the dog’s system as possible.

Veterinarians may then treat with intravenous fluids and activated charcoal, which binds to the THC and helps prevent further absorption.

Complications can arise if a dog consumes enough marijuana to make it vomit, Welker says. If it’s sedated, it runs the risk of suffering from aspiration pneumonia, which happens when vomit is inhaled into the lungs.

“Most of the patients are going to do pretty well, even with minimal treatment, but we do get patients that come in nearly comatose and with a low heart rate,” says Dr. Jonathan Wisniewski, a relief veterinarian at Emergency Veterinary Clinic of Tualatin.

The severity of the reaction is generally dose-dependent, he says.

Wisniewski, who is also an associate veterinarian at the Emergency Veterinary Hospital and Animal Urgent Care in Eugene, has done extensive research on a relatively new therapy for treating severe marijuana toxicity called intravenous lipid emulsion therapy.

The treatment involves injecting fat droplets that bind to the fat-soluble THC and help leach it out of the bloodstream, allowing the animal to excrete it more quickly.

Marijuana toxicity in Washington

Even before Washington voters legalized the possession of marijuana in November, pot has been among the top toxins at Olympia Pet Emergency in Olympia, Wash., says medical director Dr. Blair Burggren.

“I would say it’s safe to assume we get at least one call a day on a dog that either ingested or potentially ingested it,” he says.

Since it was legalized for recreational use, he has noticed a slight increase, primarily in the ingestion of products containing marijuana or THC, such as baked goods.

Statewide, the legalization doesn’t seem to have had a huge impact – yet – on pot ingestion in pets.

“I do anticipate it coming down the pike,” says Dr. Donna Mensching, veterinary medical director of Veterinary Poison Emergency Treatment Services, a service of the Washington Poison Center.

She believes it will become more of an issue once the substance is legal to sell.

Mensching is concerned about the impact of “medibles” – the cannabis-containing foods that might seem very tempting to dogs. They may consume higher amounts of the substance because it’s in a tasty treat, and the food may contain additional toxins, such as chocolate.

“The thing about dogs is that they have no stop button,” she says. “They will eat as much as they can of something and as quickly as possible.”

She also worries that once marijuana is sold legally, it might open the market for higher-end versions of the drug, which will likely contain higher contents of THC.

If there is an upside to the legalization, Mensching hopes that it will remove the fear or embarrassment people may have to admitting that their dog ingested pot.

Veterinarians say it’s much better to be forthright so they can treat your pet properly.

There are other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as neurological disease or brain tumors, so disclosing that information may save expensive diagnostics such as blood work or an MRI.

“We only want to know for medical reasons. We don’t report them,” Welker says (adding that they won’t judge, either). “It can really simplify things if they come forward with that information.”

If you do suspect that your pet has ingested marijuana, you should have a veterinarian check it out just to be safe.

And like any toxin, please keep it out of reach of pets.

“Just because the voters of Washington agreed that marijuana is now legalized and acceptable does not mean that it’s safe for your pet,” Burggren says. “Make sure you’re careful and keep it locked up.”

Tips:


  • If you suspect your pet ingested pot, don’t try to induce vomiting at home. The hydrogen peroxide people sometimes use to cause vomiting can irritate the stomach lining and cause even more vomiting, putting your pet at risk for gastroenteritis.
  • Keep any medical marijuana in a drawer or somewhere out of reach of pets.
  • If you do suspect your pet has induced marijuana, call a veterinarian.

     Dogs that get into their owner's medical marijuana stash can become very sick — even die, vets say.


                          Marijuana-enhanced baked goods can be a danger to pets.

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Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Pot For Pets: U.S. Federal Law Puts Vets Into A Quandary


REUTERS - A wave of medical research is providing fresh evidence that marijuana may help dogs and cats cope with arthritis, epilepsy, anxiety and other maladies without the side effects of traditional drugs, but veterinarians are afraid to prescribe it for fear of running afoul of federal laws.

At least 30 U.S. states have legalized medical marijuana, but none of them make provisions for ailing animals.

As a result, veterinarians are reluctant to even discuss marijuana, which remains illegal under federal law, over concerns of putting their professional licenses at risk, said Dr. Jeffrey Powers, chair of the American Veterinary Medical Association's subcommittee on cannabinoids. That leaves it to pet owners themselves to make life-altering decisions about dosing and duration of the treatment.

Change could come soon to California, which appears ready to pass the nation’s first law giving veterinarians the legal cover they need to answer questions about using cannabis for pets.

"A human can get their doctor's advice but a dog can't, legally. It's bizarre," said Judy Boyle, 62, of Beaver Island, Michigan, whose dog Mac had for years been taking traditional prescription medicines for arthritis and anxiety. The cumulative effect of those drugs was causing Mac's liver to fail.

Research on her home computer convinced Boyle in March to instead regularly give her 40-pound (18 kg) Australian Cattle Dog cannabinoid dog chews. Five months later, he's a much calmer yet more energetic dog, and his liver function has returned to normal for the first time in years, Boyle said.

To read more on this story, click here: Pot For Pets: U.S. Federal Law Puts Vets Into A Quandary 

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Thursday, March 3, 2016

See the Effects on a Dog After Ingesting Medical Marijuana


A poor pooch was stoned after it ate a Rice Krispy treat made with marijuana.

The Siberian Husky couldn’t get his tongue back in his mouth or stand on his own.

Videos of similarly stoned dogs have been posted on YouTube and show what happens when dogs accidently eat food laced with pot.

Now that medical marijuana is legal in 23 states, pot-infused edibles are more common than ever and scenarios with dogs getting high are also more common.

No one knows that better than Sam Smeltzer, whose 10-year-old dog, Rasko, ate some of Sam’s medical marijuana-infused coconut oil that dripped on the floor.

He told Inside Edition: “Suddenly I hear licking, and I was like ‘Oh no!’”

After about an hour, Rasko was stoned and stumbling around.

Veterinarian Dr. Jeff Werber says if your dog ingests pot, call your vet because there's a good chance they overdid it.

“They're not going (to) look at the plate of brownies and say: ‘Let me see, I think I should only have one.’ They're all gone, and that's the problem. They don't know when to say ‘enough.’”









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Saturday, June 6, 2015

Marijuana Can Be Quite Harmful to Our Four-Legged Friends: Learn the Signs of Marijuana Toxicity


Marijuana can be quite harmful to our four-legged friends. Learn the signs of marijuana toxicity and what to do if your pet accidentally ingests the recreational drug.

Whether you live in a state where marijuana use has become legal or not, our pets may find a way to get their paws on the drug. It’s actually so common that Trupanion, a pet medical insurance company, has paid more than $78,000 in suspected marijuana claims to date. The drug, which acts as a depressant in humans, can adversely affect our pets if accidentally ingested. If you want to know what to do in the worst-case scenario, or you suspect your pet has already ingested marijuana, read on to find out what signs to look for and important actions you can take to protect him. 

If you suspect your pet has ingested marijuana, have him evaluated by a veterinarian as quickly as possible.

How Pets Get Exposed
One of the most common toxicities that vets at The Animal Medical Center's Emergency Service in New York City encounter is confirmed or suspected marijuana exposure. The vast majority of cases are dogs, according to The Animal Medical Center, but any pet with access to marijuana can ingest it and present with similar clinical signs. Ingestion is the most common source of toxicity; however, if exposed to significant amounts of marijuana smoke, minor to moderate clinical signs can be seen, says Christine Keyserling, DVM, who works in emergency and critical care at The Animal Medical Center.

THC, which is found in higher concentrations in cannabis meant for humans, is the part of the plant that is most toxic to pets, explains Trupanion’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Kerri Marshall, DVM. “If your pet does ingest THC-filled marijuana, please don’t wait it out,” Marshall urges. “Take them to the veterinarian.”

The Signs
In dogs, clinical signs typically begin 30 to 90 minutes after the marijuana has been eaten. Dogs generally recover from marijuana intoxication with no long-term effects, but if not treated, it could result in a more serious outcome. The most common clinical signs associated with marijuana ingestion include dullness and ataxia (drunken gait), according to Keyserling. Additional clinical signs include vomiting, urinary incontinence (dribbling), low body temperature, slow heart rate and hyper-reactivity to stimuli. In the most severe cases, these clinical signs can progress to seizures and/or coma, Keyserling says. Your pet also may have ingested marijuana if you notice him acting lethargic or depressed along with any other of these symptoms.

Be Honest With Your Vet
The symptoms of marijuana intoxication can be symptoms of far more serious conditions. “If you think your dog has ingested marijuana, do not hesitate to tell your veterinarian,” Marshall says. “Being open can help your veterinarian eliminate more serious conditions and prevent testing needed to rule out other causes.” At the end of the day, it’s best to be upfront about the situation so you don’t waste any time getting your pet the help he needs.

Preventing Exposure
The best way to keep your pet safe is to prevent him from coming in contact with the marijuana in the first place. “Pet owners with marijuana in the house should keep their stash away from their pets,” Marshall says. Consider keeping marijuana in a closed container and then put the container away in a drawer or cabinet. "Please keep in mind that dogs have much better senses of smell than us and they are able to find and pick things up off the street or other public spaces — sometimes without you even seeing them eat anything,” Keyserling says. “If you ever notice any of the above clinical signs or any small behavioral changes in your pet, please do not hesitate to have them evaluated by a veterinarian as quickly as possible.”

Medical Marijuana Use In Pets
Anecdotal cases have shown healing benefits in pets, according to Marshall. The drug has been used as a pain reliever and to ease adverse effects from cancer medications and old age. “The Trupanion coverage plan covers medicinal marijuana for pets and other herbal therapies specifically recommended by veterinarians to help your pet manage pain or help them through cancer and tumor treatments,” Marshall says. Currently, veterinarians cannot prescribe marijuana to pets. However, Nevada is debating a bill that would enable pet owners to obtain medical marijuana for their sick pets with their vet’s approval.
  
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Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Colorado is One of 23 States Where Medical Marijuana is Legal: Can it Really Help Ailing Pets?


Denver, Colorado is one of 23 states where medical marijuana is legal. Some human patients swear by it, but is pot OK for your ailing pets?

CBS Denver station KCNC reports there are some cannabis-containing products now on the market specially designed for cats and dogs.

Chiara Subhas of Denver decided to try it when her 14-year-old rescue dog, Leo, started having seizures. The little Pomeranian was "just violently shaking, his mouth is open, his eyes are rolling back, he's drooling," she told KCNC reporter Kathy Walsh.

Subhas tried changing his diet. Then she went to pot. "We were suggested by our veterinarian in Boulder that we try a medical marijuana product for our dog," she said.

The product is called Canna Companion. Leo started on two capsules a day.
"Shortly after, his seizures definitely decreased," said Subhas.

On the company website, cannaforpets.com, Canna Companion is described as a hemp supplement for cats and dogs. The company calls it a unique blend of cannabis sativa strains with low levels of THC, the ingredient that gets people high.

There are more than a dozen testimonials posted on the site. One cat owner writes that cancer-stricken Harley's "happy purrsonality came back immediately!" And Subhas' own veterinarian writes that the capsules helped Titus, her 13-year-old Great Dane, be "comfy and mobile."

"It's not going to cure cancer. It's not going to stop seizures from happening. But it can help," said veterinarian Dr. Sarah Brandon.

Brandon is co-founder of the supplement company out of Washington state. She stops short of making medical claims. In February, the Food and Drug Administration warned Canna Companion and similar companies to remove unproven health benefits from their marketing.

Brandon told CBS Denver, "It's one more tool in our tool belt and we firmly believe that veterinarians and pet parents should have it available to them if they should choose to use it."

But the FDA warned "consumers should beware purchasing and using any such products."

"I personally am not a big fan of the FDA," said Subhas. "I would not worry so much. I don't worry about that at all."

But some veterinarians are more wary. Dr. Debbie Van Pelt says she isn't ready to recommend cannabis for cats or hemp for hounds.

"I just think that we don't have the evidence right now to document what is safe and what is effective," said Van Pelt.

Van Pelt believes there may be potential in medical pot for pets and she understands why owners try it: "Because people love their animals and they are looking for ways to give them better quality of life," she said.

Subhas sees the change in Leo, and thinks the $75 a month she's spending on medical marijuana for him is worth it. "He's more alert overall. He seems just more comfortable," she said.



Chiara Subhas of Denver says a medical marijuana product helped her 14-year-old Pomeranian, Leo, when he started having seizures.
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Tuesday, March 24, 2015

A New Bill Introduced in the Nevada State Legislature Earlier this Week Would Allow Owners to Give their Ailing Pets Medical Marijuana, What Are Your Thoughts?


A new bill introduced in the Nevada state legislature earlier this week would allow owners to give their ailing pets medical marijuana. Many owners across the country said it’s about time, and that “pot for pets” should be legal everywhere.

Under this bill pets in that state may soon be able to use marijuana.

Democratic State Senator, Tick Segerblom sponsored the new law to allow animal owners to give their pets marijuana if a veterinarian verifies the animal is sick and the drug could alleviate its sickness.

Becky Flowers, a California ranch owner, said she gave her mare Phoenix regular doses of medical marijuana for several years to help ease the pain of a degenerative joint condition. The horse could barely walk due to extreme swelling in her front legs that traditional and herbal medications didn’t seem to help, Flowers said.

The Senator said he has concerns about whether animals could have a negative reaction to the pot.

The proposal is part of a larger bill that would make changes to the state’s medicinal marijuana law, removing penalties for drivers who have marijuana in their blood and adding regulations for training in pot shops.

The bill is in the first stage of the legislative process and faces many hurdles before pets in Nevada will legally be allowed to toke up with their owners.

In this May 30, 2013, file photo, Companion Cannabis, by Holistic Therapeutics, a Marijuana medicinal tincture for dogs and cats is displayed at La Brea Compassionate Caregivers, a medical marijuana dispensary in Los Angeles. Pets might soon be able to use pot under a bill introduced Tuesday, March 17, 2015, in the Nevada Legislature. Democratic Sen. Tick Segerblom is sponsoring the measure that would allow animal owners to get marijuana for their pet if a veterinarian certifies the animal has an illness that might be alleviated by the drug.

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Monday, March 16, 2015

Many Pet Owners Assume That if a Medication is Safe for Humans, Especially Children, Then it Must Be Safe for Animals: It's Not


March is Poison Awareness Month. In this series, Dr. Kupkee discusses some of the most common causes of toxicity in pets, and what you can do to prevent them.

Almost every day our clinic receives a call from a concerned pet parent asking which over-the-counter medications they can give to their pets. The short answer is, not many. Sadly, many pet owners assume that if a medication is safe for humans, especially children, then it must be safe for animals. Our pets’ bodies are different. They do not metabolize substances in the same way that we do. Let’s take a look at some of the most common culprits of medication toxicity.

Tylenol
The “pain reliever hospitals trust most” is perhaps the number one reason our pets are rushed to the emergency clinic. The active ingredient in Tylenol, acetaminophen, has been linked to liver failure in both dogs and cats. Cats are especially susceptible to acetaminophen poisoning as even a single, child-sized dose can be fatal. Many people assume that if it is safe for babies, it is safe for pets. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Ibuprofen and Naproxen
These common over-the-counter pain medicines can cause bleeding ulcers and irreversible kidney damage. If you suspect your pet is in pain, call your veterinarian for a veterinary approved alternative.

Aspirin
Back in the old days, veterinarians would prescribe baby aspirin or buffered aspirin for pets. We now know that this seemingly benign drug can cause ulcers, internal bleeding, liver damage, and kidney damage.

Adderall
Commonly used to treat ADHD in children, Adderall contains stimulants that cause hyperactivity, high fevers, elevated heart rates, tremors and seizures in our pets. It also contains a binder that many users report as having a sweet, citrus-like taste. It is entirely possible that this is why pets find it irresistible. Make sure children who are taking these medications understand that they can never be given to pets.

Sleep Aids
Medications such as Ambien and Clonazapam can lead to extreme agitation and elevated heart rates in pets. Because these pills are often kept on bedside tables, they are easy for pets to find and ingest.

Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications
While certain medications can be used for pets in very small doses, most drugs of this type can cause anxiety, tremors, excessive vocalization and seizures. Do not ask “Dr.Google” for advice on dosing your pets, and do not attempt to medicate them for anxiety without a veterinarian’s supervision.

Decongestants - The Devil in the “D”-tails
Certain antihistamines, such as Benadryl and Claritin are perfectly safe for pets. However, certain varieties of these drugs contain decongestants such as pseudoephedrine, that can lead to dangerous heart palpitations. Be sure to check with your veterinarian regarding antihistamine doses and never, ever use a product containing decongestants. Helpful hint: an antihistamine that ends with “-D” probably contains a decongestant. A good rule of thumb when shopping for these drugs is “D stands for Don’t”. Never give Psuedophed intentionally, and keep those pretty red tablets out of Fluffy’s reach.

Cough and Cold Medicines
There are times when it is appropriate to treat a coughing pet with over-the-counter cough medicine intended for children. That being said, most of these drugs contain acetaminophen and/or pseudoephedrine. If your veterinarian recommends one of these products, have him/her write down exactly what you should purchase, including which active ingredients should be included. If you must ask the pharmacist to get it for you, chances are you are getting the wrong product, as defined by one containing pseudoephedrine. Stop, call your vet, and get clarification before buying anything. Remember, pharmacists are not trained in veterinary medicine, and it is not their job to be familiar with off-label, veterinary uses of human products. If you find yourself getting conflicting opinions, go with your vet’s. Your pets are our patients and our responsibility.

Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications
While certain medications can be used for pets in very small doses, most drugs of this type can cause anxiety, tremors, excessive vocalization and seizures. Do not ask “Dr.Google” for advice on dosing your pets, and do not attempt to medicate them for anxiety without a veterinarian’s supervision.

Marijuana
While medicinal uses are being studied by veterinary researchers, marijuana remains one of the leading causes of drug-related toxicity. Pets who ingest marijuana usually do so in large doses, causing lethargy, respiratory depression, dangerously low heart rates, low blood pressure, coma, and seizures. They are often guilty of raiding the “special brownies”, and suffer from the toxic effects of chocolate as well.

If you think your pet has gotten into your stash, the most important thing you can do is to be honest with your veterinarian. Several years ago, I treated a teacup Yorkie who presented several times in the course of a week with dilated pupils, shallow breathing, and neurological symptoms. We tested her for hypoglycemia, liver problems, distemper, as well as a host of rare conditions that would have put Dr. House to shame. Every test came back normal. It wasn’t until I recommended a $3000 MRI with a veterinary neurologist that the teenage son sheepishly admitted to “doping” the dog in an attempt to stop her from barking. Your veterinarian is not there to judge you. Our job is to help your pet, and we cannot do that without knowing the facts. Be honest, and don’t attempt any “herbal remedies” at home.


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