The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is reporting a spike in marijuana poisoning or marijuana toxicity among animals, saying online marketing of edible marijuana and ongoing debates over legalizing the recreational use of cannabis are driving the trend.
A woman in Fort Worth had a frightening and expensive experience when her dog consumed marijuana during an evening walk. It was on a Saturday when Liesl Manone noticed her dog, 1-year-old Enzo, chewing on something.
“I didn't know what it was, and I was trying to get it out of his mouth, and it was gone before I had a chance to get it,” she said.
When they got home, she realized Enzo was behaving strangely. He wasn't his typical excited self. She shared a cellphone video of Enzo from that night appearing unsteady on his feet.
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They took a trip to the vet and the diagnosis came relatively quickly. It was marijuana toxicity.
“We do not have marijuana in our home, and yes I live with a teenager, and I talked to her, and she was like, ‘I promise I don't have any,’” Manone said.
She said the vet told her it's common for dogs to pick up the substance during walks.
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“His eyes were very red,” she said. “I was holding him like this but he wasn't this wiggly.”
The ASPCA said its poison control center noticed a large jump in calls for marijuana consumption beginning in 2019. A 765% increase over a 10-year period. Some 6,200 cases were reported in 2021 alone.
“I guess people are flicking their roaches out the window like a cigarette butt,” Manone said. “Everyone that I talked to that has ever owned a roach said, 'I would've never done that, I’d save them.’”
Thankfully for Enzo, a small pug, he recovered and the ASPCA said most marijuana exposure is not serious.
Still, Manone warns it's not likely an enjoyable experience for a pet, and it can impact your wallet.
“They gave him fluids, and they gave him nausea medication, and they gave me a big bill,” she said. “I took him home and gave him a Twinkie and turned on Dark Side of the Moon.”
For now, Enzo is watched closely during walks as to avoid another $615 experience.
If you feel your pet might be experiencing marijuana toxicity, contact your local animal poison control center.
