Now we here at IndulgeYourPet are certainly in no position to judge someone about their use of marijuana, but one thing that we can say for sure is that if you do choose to partake, be sure to do so responsibly which includes keeping it out of reach of all your kids including the furry four-legged ones!
The good news is…
That if your dog has ingested some cannabis (either medicinal or otherwise) it is not necessarily a veterinary emergency unless they have eaten it in the form of said brownies, or unless you do not know the cause.
This is because…
Although it can be scary when you don’t know the source of the poisoning, your dog is more at risk from the chocolate in the brownies than it is from the cannabis.
In the cases…
Where you do not know where the poison has come from you may want to report it to the poison control center. The most danger you will be presented with is the toxicity level in the chocolate and so in most, milder, occurrences this condition can be treated at home.
You see…
What a lot of people do not know about dogs is that they actually have what are called endocannabinoid receptors which exist inside your dog’s brain meaning that it is highly likely that at some point in your dog’s ancestors ate it as a routine part of their diet.
So…
The key here is not to panic. Only in severe cases is there a need to rush off to the vet.
Marijuana Intoxication in Dogs
Marijuana is a drug that produces cannabis sativa, a form of tetra hydra cannabinoid (or THC) that can be used to ease the pain of many medical conditions.
Also, sometimes…
Called ‘Pot’; it can relax a patient and help manage pain levels, as well as providing a whole host of other benefits to the human body. Humans, dogs and cats can all potentially benefit from this derivative of marijuana plants… but when the high is unplanned it can come across with some pretty concerning symptoms.
That said however…
Any medication that you choose to give your dog should first receive your vet’s blessing otherwise you could be causing much more damage than you’re are treating. Especially if your dog is consuming the marijuana as an edible
You see…
If your dog ingested marijuana in a chocolate-based edible they are at risk of poisoning. In this case it’s probably best to stop reading this and go to the vet. They will likely want to feed them activated charcoal to make them sick it up before it damages the internal organs. This is because chocolate toxicity is something that you should take quite seriously!
Now if your…
Dogs or cat has consumed a dangerous amount of marijuana, they may begin to display clinical signs such as:
- A temporary increase in heart rate brought on by the cannabinoids.
- Vomiting (they definitely will if they have been given the charcoal).
- And a blood pressure drop also brought on by the cannabinoids.
Other symptoms might include extreme lethargy and, upon waking the following morning, extreme hunger.
In cases like these…
We would recommend that your first call your vet and ask for advice. In some cases, they will simply ask you to continue monitoring your pet and not leave them alone, while in other cases they may suggest that you bring your dog in immediately.
Either way…
As least you will have included a professional into the discussion and you won’t be simply “guessing” what to do next!
Breeds commonly affected by this condition
If you are a marijuana taker then maybe don’t leave it lying around. Keep those brownies stored at head height and out of the reach of little paws and fingers. Any breed can become victim to this condition simply by an alluring smell.
You should also…
Bear in mind that dogs do eat grass to help with their digestive system, so if they see a marijuana plant growing wild there is every chance they will chew away on it. This is not usually harmful if you don’t let them eat too much. The Cannabis variety that generally carries the THC is in the flowering part – so definitely keep them away from that!
For fairly obvious reasons dogs who live in countries where marijuana is legal are more at risk of exposure to this than dogs who don’t.
Marijuana Toxicity Treatment Options for Dogs
It is recommended that a small dose of ingestion should be manageable at home. In cases like these just make sure your dog is comfortable and remind them to drink and go to the toilet.
When they wake up in the morning they will be bubbly, bouncy and refreshed because of the excellent sleep they have had. Be prepared to feed them. A lot.
In the worse cases…
Where the dog has suffered poisoning of an unknown dose and the vet has used the charcoal, they may wish to keep them for supportive care in the surgery for a day or two. Your pet will be fed IV Fluids to make sure that they do not dehydrate. I these instances you really should contact the local animal poison control center.
In other…
More milder cases you may wish to consult your vet anyway. There may not be much point in putting your dog through a potentially painful round of treatments when the high is going to wear off in an hour or two on its own. So, unless your dog is in distress you may not need to opt for treatment. Again, this does not stand if you do not know the source of the dog’s drowsiness.
Which brings us to…
Were we like to remind folks that we here at IndulgeYourPet are not doctors, veterinarians or medical professionals. All we are is a bunch of folks who just happen to be passionate about animals and only want what’s best for them.
This is why…
If you feel like your pet may have marijuana toxicity (or any other health issue for that matter) the first thing that you’re going to want to do is have him or her check out by a vet ASAP!
Because…
The truth is, an early diagnosis will often lead to the “best” medical outcome for your pet regardless of what is bothering him or her, but beyond that diagnosing a medical condition early could save you a bundle in medical costs!
