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first step is to reach out to a poison help line or call your veterinarian’s office, experts say. (The help lines charge between $85 and $95 for a consult.)
Let them know what happened, especially if the cannabis belongs to you. The details, such as the THC strength, could be helpful. It’s natural to feel afraid or even embarrassed, but don’t hold back the details, said Dr. Sarah Hoggan of VCA California Veterinary Specialists.
Loss of balance and dilated pupils can be symptoms
There is no clear test made to confirm whether dogs are intoxicated, said Dr. Ryan Fortier, medical director at All Ears in downtown Brooklyn.
But there are some clear signs.
Fadl said that the behavior of a dog that has eaten cannabis can be “pretty alarming.” Generally the pet appears a “bit wobbly” and has difficulty balancing and walking, she said. They will likely also be pretty sleepy and dribble urine.
Their eyes will probably be dilated, Hoggan said. They might also be very startled or scared when touched, she added.
About an hour or two after ingestion, a dog’s vital signs — body temperature and heart rate — typically plummet, which can be dangerous, Fadl said.
Vets emphasized that timing is key. The sooner you take your dog to its veterinarian, the greater the chance of removing the toxin from its body through methods such as inducing vomiting or administering an enema.
Don’t worry: Most dogs recover
The risks depend on the size of your dog and the amount of the drug it has consumed.
Fadl said that treatment for most cases typically included intravenous fluids and careful monitoring of vital signs.
“In general, the good news is most dogs that ingest marijuana will be OK with treatments and sometimes without,” Fadl said.
But for particularly large doses of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis — such as when a small dog consumes food or candy infused with it — there can be risks of heart arrhythmia or seizures, she said.
Hoggan said those dealing with pets that consumed THC should monitor them closely, keep them warm and place them away from other animals.
There’s a “low probability” of lasting neurological damage, she added.
Best practices for avoiding accidental high times
Kimberlee Cruz, a dog trainer who also works as a vet assistant at the Veterinary Care Group in Brooklyn, said that reinforcing the “leave it” and “drop it” commands could help dogs prone to scavenging city streets or getting into trash in future weed encounters.
“If the dog likes eating things off the ground,” she said, she recommended “a short leash and being aware of your surroundings, making sure you know you’re not on your cellphone.”
She also said to place any marijuana products out of the reach of enterprising pets.