Cocaine Poisoning in Dogs

Canines who work in the field of drug sniffing and drug location can sometimes be exposed to cocaine which can lead to toxicity. Owners who leave the drug within their dog’s reach will expose them to a danger that can lead to an emergency situation as the heart and the brain are typically affected to a great degree within 30 minutes of ingestion or inhalation. The fact that illicit drugs like cocaine are often diluted with other harmful substances adds to the poisonous effects felt by dogs who come into contact with cocaine.

The cocoa plant is the origin of cocaine. This drug is capable of causing adverse reaction which involves multiple systems of the body including the central nervous system and the behavioral system. Panting, hyperactivity, and depression can be signs of cocaine poisoning, along with serious effects like seizures leading to death. If you suspect your pet has been exposed to cocaine or any other recreational or prescription drug, it should be considered an emergency.

When a canine is exposed to cocaine or other illicit drugs, whether accidentally or maliciously, poisoning can occur. Because of the nature of use of these drugs by humans and the reluctance to admit pet exposure, diagnosis is sometimes difficult to reach.

The signs related to cocaine poisoning in dogs are extensive. The blood plasma level for toxicity can be reached within minutes and toxic effects will be evident quickly in addition, because the substance is well absorbed by the mucosa of the mouth and nose.

• Aggression
• Tremors, shaking or seizures
• Rapid heart beat
• Increased breathing rate and difficulty breathing
• Drooping eyelids (ptosis)
• Involuntary eye movements (nystagmus)
• Dilated pupil (mydriasis)
• Elevated blood pressure
• Elevated body temperature
• Increased physical sensitivity (hyperesthesia)
• Inability to relax muscles (myotonia)
• Uncontrolled movements (ataxia)
• Heart rate abnormalities
• Behavior changes like excitement, hyperactivity, circling and vocalization
• Abnormal tail movement and reflex
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Drooling
• Change in urine color
• Lung sounds (with severe poisoning pneumonia can develop)

Types

Cocaine is sold in powder or crystal form and is often “cut” with other compounds like local anesthetics, decongestants, and xanthine alkaloids (stimulates). Documentation has been published about a seized shipment of illegal cocaine which was diluted with compounds including a deworming product. The uncertainty of what is contained in the cocaine can make diagnosis and treatment of canine cocaine poisoning symptoms difficult.

Cocaine can have a very small, controlled medical use. Typically, the use is an illicit one and most canines who have come into contact with the product do so accidentally. When a pet is brought to the veterinary clinic the main concern of the team will be to stabilize the pet, restoring him to health. Cocaine poisoning will cause issues in 5 main areas.

• Your pet’s behavior will become erratic, distressed and agitated
• The temperature control within your dog’s body will be disturbed allowing for dangerously high temperatures to occur
• The central nervous system disturbance will cause complications like vomiting and loss of muscle control
• The circulatory system can cause changes in pulse and heart rate
• Your dog’s respiratory system may be affected by changes in breathing rate

The reluctance of some pet owners to admit the illicit drug use that allowed for access of cocaine to the family pet can sometimes hinder the diagnosis. However, pet owners must realize that the first priority of the veterinarian will be to stabilize and prevent the demise of the animal. Clinical signs could be severe enough that the veterinary team will need to admit your pet to the hospital right away to begin treatment. In pets who have a case of poisoning that is less severe clinical signs, bloodwork, and urinalysis may reveal the nature of the poisoning. In addition, if your pet is vomiting, an evaluation of the stomach contents can point to the source of the toxin.

Because cocaine poisoning can result in the death of your pet, complete transparency is the best option. If you are able to provide the amount inhaled or ingested, the approximate time of the incident, and the length of time since the symptoms of cocaine poisoning became apparent, these factors will help the veterinary team to decide on the best treatment for your dog. Whether your pet has been vomiting, exhibiting serious behavioral changes, or has shown neurological signs that indicate the severity of the toxicity, are all crucial pieces of information for the veterinarian to work with.

Cases of cocaine poisoning will most often result in hospitalization because the effects to the body are so numerous. If your canine companion is not vomiting, the veterinarian may choose to induce emesis and administer active charcoal to bind the drug to the stomach contents, and in addition to this, give a medication that will encourage emptying of the bowels. However, vomiting can be induced only if your pet is somewhat stable. If his symptoms indicate this therapy would be unsafe (for example if your pet is seizuring or is having respiratory difficulties), then the treatment will begin with sedation and administration of medication by intravenous.

Many canines will require medication to control seizures (such as diazepam) and in some cases, convulsions will need to be controlled by anticonvulsant drugs. Once your dog is sedated and is in an improved state of health, gastric lavage may be done to flush out the stomach contents. Your pet could be hospitalized for several hours to several days, contingent upon the poisoning. Your dog will require monitoring of his body temperature; cocaine is known to make the body react with dangerously elevated temperatures. Metabolic abnormalities, blood pressure, heart rate, and neurological signs will need to be normal also before the team can consider releasing your pet from the hospital.

The prognosis for pets who are seen by the veterinarian for cocaine poisoning can be good as long as the ingestion was not a massive overdose and therapy was sought out promptly. Your pet will need a quiet place to rest at home and may take a few days to return to his normal state of behavior and health. Provide a quiet place for him to rest, with plenty of water available. Accompany him on light leashed walks and call the veterinarian if you have any concerns about his recovery. Be certain to keep all medications, household products, and dangerous substances out of the reach of your pet.