Buzzed Dogs: Eating Marijuana Can Seriously Injure Your Pets

Photo: Zailey being treated at Sage Emergency Vet Center. Credit: Rachell Jachetta

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Raschell Jachetta took her dog Zailey for a walk in a park last week. Shortly after returning home, it was clear that something was seriously wrong.

“Thirty minutes after our walk there she collapsed and was unresponsive for the most part for 3 hours after that,” said Jachetta.

She rushed her dog to Sage Emergency Vet Center in Dublin. The vet determined that Zailey had ingested marijuana. And Zailey’s not alone. This particular clinic sees an average of three dogs per week suffering from marijuana toxicity, according to emergency vet Dr. Bob Lukas. “Medical marijuana being legal here, a lot of products come in edible form,” Dr. Lukas told Patch. “Dogs definitely eat the cookies, brownies and other baked goods.”

While eating marijuana is rarely fatal for dogs, Dr. Lukas says he’s seen a few “close calls.”

Nationwide, the number of dogs poisoned by marijuana is growing. Following the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington in 2012, the Pet Poison Helpline reported a 200 percent increase in calls about dogs eating marijuana. The problem is more significant in small dogs because the toxicity is higher.

Jachetta reported the incident to police. Public Information Officer Traci Rebiejo told Patch that she’s never heard of this happening in Livermore before. Her advice, “Keep your dog on a leash and don’t let them eat anything that you haven’t prepared for them.”

Dr. Lukas echoed the advice, and offered these warning signs of marijuana toxicity:

• Sudden onset sleeping
• Periods of “startle”
• Leaking urine
• Low body temperature

Jachetta reports that Zailey is fine, but it took about 24 hours for her to get over the buzz. That, and the emergency vet visit that cost $1,000.

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