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.
