THC and Pets: one of the most common emergencies we see

Before we get into this, we want to be very clear about something, we are not law enforcement. Marijuana is legal here in Oregon, and what happens outside of the clinic is not our business. What is our business is helping your pet as quickly and safely as possible. If there is even a possibility your pet was exposed, whether at home, on a walk, or somewhere you’re not completely sure about, please tell us. That information helps us make faster decisions and get to the right treatment sooner.

This is something we see a lot. Not occasionally, not just around holidays, all the time. During the winter months, we’ll see a few cases each week, and during the summer and tourist season, it can easily become a daily occurrence. THC exposure is one of the most common toxicities we treat in the ER, and most of the time it’s completely accidental.

Pets aren’t seeking this out, they’re just being pets. Dogs especially will eat just about anything they find.

Edibles like brownies or gummies are a big one, but we also see exposure from vape cartridges, oils, and even the leftover end of a joint. What surprises people is how often this happens outside the home. We regularly treat pets who pick something up on a normal walk in their neighborhood, at a park, or along a trail. Something as small as a discarded “roach” or residue on a vape cartridge can be enough to cause symptoms, especially in smaller animals.

Not all exposures are equal, though. The cases that tend to hit the hardest involve edibles and concentrated forms like oils or resin. These products contain much higher levels of THC than people expect, and even a small amount can have a significant effect on a pet.

When these patients come in, the signs can be pretty distinct once you’ve seen it a few times. Many pets are very wobbly, almost like they can’t quite figure out where their feet are. They may be extremely sedate or difficult to wake, and it’s common for them to have urinary incontinence. One thing we see often is a kind of delayed or exaggerated response to movement you’ll move a hand in front of their face and they’ll flinch, but it’s slow, like their brain is processing everything a step behind. In cats, it can look even more concerning. They may become so sedate that they appear almost unconscious, which is understandably very alarming for owners.

Treatment really depends on how much was ingested and how the patient is presenting. For more affected pets, this may mean hospitalization so we can monitor them closely while their body processes the toxin. That can include IV fluids, anti-nausea medications, temperature support, and sometimes additional therapies like lipid therapy in more significant cases. These patients are kept in a quiet, safe environment with a nurse available to monitor for any changes as they recover.

For milder cases, we may be able to manage them on an outpatient basis with supportive care things like subcutaneous fluids, anti-nausea medication, and sending them home with instructions to rest in a calm, quiet environment while the effects wear off. A big part of this is also helping owners understand what they’re seeing and giving them peace of mind, along with the ability to call if anything changes.

We tend to talk about this more as we head into spring and summer, especially with 4/20 coming up, because we see a noticeable increase in cases this time of year. There are simply more opportunities for exposure, more people outdoors, more products around, and more situations where pets can accidentally get into something on a walk or in a shared space.

The biggest takeaway is that pets don’t understand what they’re picking up. Something small and seemingly harmless can turn into an emergency visit very quickly. And if there’s ever a chance your pet was exposed, even if you’re unsure, just let your veterinary team know. There’s no judgment, it just helps us take better care of your pet.

— Bend Animal Emergency

‍