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Marijuana Poisoning in Dogs
Written By Grace Park
Published: 08/01/2016Updated: 11/24/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
What is Marijuana Poisoning?
Cannabis sativa, or the marijuana plant, is a centuries - old plant which has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. This plant contains more than 400 chemicals, one of them being delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol , commonly known as THC.
THC is what brings about many of marijuana’s psychological side-effects and is similar to the chemicals that are made within our human bodies called cannabinoid chemicals. Receptors of cannabinoid are located within specific areas of the brain that are associated with our memory, pleasure, thinking, coordination, and sensory functions. Many people use marijuana recreationally for pleasure, although it is illegal in many states. Marijuana is also used for medicinal purposes in some states.
This plant can be toxic to dogs, especially if a great amount is consumed. Marijuana can be toxic to dogs and the animals usually come into contact with the plant by ingesting the supply of the drug that belongs to the owners. If dogs ingest at least 3 g / kg, toxicity can occur. Symptoms usually begin within one hour and may vary depending on the amount eaten.
Marijuana poisoning in dogs is a result of dogs ingesting the marijuana plant. Marijuana contains a chemical which produces various harmful side effects and cause poisoning in dogs.
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Average Cost
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Symptoms of Marijuana Poisoning in Dogs
If your dog has eaten marijuana, the severity of the symptoms is relative to the amount he consumed. Symptoms of Cannabis sativa poisoning include:
- Depression
- Drooling
- Hypermetria
- Incontinence
- Vomiting
- Mydriasis
- Body tremors
- Bradycardia
- Hypothermia
- Agitation
- Ataxia
- Tachycardia
- Tachypnea
- Nystagmus
- Excitability
- Seizures
Types
Dogs can become poisoned by marijuana in various forms. Different ways of marijuana ingestion that can greatly affect dogs include:
- Inhalation of smoke
- Ingesting pills or tinctures
- Eating edible items that contain the plant, such as brownies, candies, cakes, breads, and other baked goods
- Drinking liquids that contain marijuana oils, known as “shatter”, BHO, or “dabs”
Causes of Marijuana Poisoning in Dogs
Causes of marijuana poisoning in dogs are the ingestion of the plant parts. The following may take place within one to three hours after consuming marijuana. Specific causes of poisoning are due to the following:
- Central nervous system activity
- The release of neurotransmitters in specific areas of the brain (frontal cortex and cerebellum)
- Cannabinoids produce neuropharmacologic mechanisms
- THC is lipid soluble and easily distributed into organs and fat
- THC affects the tissues of the liver, brain, and kidneys
Diagnosis of Marijuana Poisoning in Dogs
If your dog has eaten marijuana, it is important to take him into the veterinarian even if he consumed a small amount. Although marijuana is an illegal drug in many states, it is still important to be truthful with your veterinarian in terms of your dog’s ingestion of this drug. The veterinarian will perform a physical examination, and might want to perform blood work, a urinalysis, and biochemistry profile. Your honesty about the drug ingestion will help your veterinarian know what is going on, and will likely save you money in testing.
During the diagnosis, if your dog is agitated due to the chemicals of the drug, the veterinarian may need to sedate him. Benzodiazepines may be used to help calm the dog in order for the veterinarian to continue with his diagnostic techniques and to begin treatment.
Differential diagnoses do exist with marijuana toxicity, and these are prescription drug overdose, such as antidepressants, drugs that stimulate the central nervous system, xylitol, hallucinogenic drugs, and other similar human medications.
Treatment of Marijuana Poisoning in Dogs
Marijuana poisoning can be serious if your dog consumed a large quantity of the plant. Due to the varying toxicities that dogs have, treatment methods will vary. Techniques the veterinarian will use to treat your dog may consist of the following:
IV Fluids
IV fluids may be necessary if your dog has been vomiting in order to prevent dehydration. Antiemetics may also be administered through the IV; maropitant and ondansetron are typically the medications of choice. Sedation may be given if your dog is overly excited. Diazepam and chlorpromazine may be given to assist in any negative central nervous system effects.
Medications
Your dog may be given a medication to prevent him from vomiting. Due to the toxic properties of marijuana and the sedative effects your dog may be having, any vomiting your dog does must be controlled and monitored. Repeated vomiting also can cause dehydration. Your veterinarian may decide to induce vomiting if your dog has a high level of toxicity and will follow this up with activated charcoal.
Monitoring
Your dog’s oxygen levels and blood pressure will need to be monitored the whole time he is with the veterinarian and being treated. In severe cases of marijuana poisoning, many dogs are put on a ventilator or respirator. Thermoregulation is also conducted in severe cases.
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Recovery of Marijuana Poisoning in Dogs
Marijuana toxicity can be very serious if treatment is not administered as soon as possible. Once your dog recovers, your veterinarian will discharge him. When home, you will need to closely monitor his recovery and follow any instructions your veterinarian has given you.
Your veterinarian will give you detailed directions on how to care for your dog and will tell you what you need to watch for in terms of any new symptoms. Depending on your dog, if his gastrointestinal tract was severely irritated from vomiting or diarrhea, your veterinarian may suggest a special bland diet while he is recovering.
It is important to keep any follow-up appointments with your medical professional so you can be assured your dog is becoming well once again. To prevent marijuana toxicity, it is important to keep all marijuana and all types of substances that contain marijuana out of the reach of your loved one.
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Marijuana Poisoning Average Cost
From 189 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,500
Average Cost
$1,200
Top
Marijuana Poisoning Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
chihuahua mix
RIN
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Not Drinking Water
Hacking Cough
Bubbly Spit Up
No Bowel Movement In 72 Hrs.
My little one ate a half of a peanut butter THC cookie on Sunday at around 1:00 AM, she went through all of the normal symptoms of THC poisoning. We administered pedialyte and some activated charcoal as per the instructions we receivedand most of the symptoms have dissipated except that she has a hacking cough, which sometimes produces a bubbly spit, but not real throw up. When she is overly active, or exerts too much energy she coughs up this bubbly spit. She is not drinking water, but she has been eating just fine. She has been urinating normally, but has not defecated at all in these almost 72 hours. How can we help wit this coughing up of spit, and what can be done to induce a bowel movement? Any information would be great! Thank you.
June 26, 2018
0 Recommendations
The spitting up of the bubbly foam and no bowel movement may be due to a lack of food intake, you should try to get Rin to eat and drink; the best way to do this is to offer some boiled chicken and rice as well as having some water in the food bowl to consume whilst eating, putting it in the blender and syringing it into the mouth may help too. Adding some plain canned pumpkin may help with a bowel movement as well, but if there is no improvement you should visit a Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 27, 2018
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Mutt
Leila
7 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Wobbly Rear Gait
Incontinence
Swaying
Sleepiness
Unsteadiness
My 7 year old, 55lb Border Collie/Pitbull cross got ahold of a guest's marijuana chocolate within the last four to five hours. It was one square and estimated to be about 70 milligrams worth of weed. She started with sleepiness and staring at everybody. Then she started rocking back and forth while lying, sitting, or standing. She is notably more sleepy and slow, though she tends to be inclined towards sleep anyway. (Side note: She has well-managed hypothyroidism that is being monitored by our vet) Within the past half an hour she has been peeing and seeming to not even notice. We only noticed because she soaked through the couch and then her bed. Standing is OK, but she is definitely wobbly. She has not thrown up and seems to be pretty chilled out while maintaining responsiveness (even if it is just moving her ears or eyes). We are getting some puppy pads and activated charcoal, but want to see if there is anything more you might suggest?
June 19, 2018
0 Recommendations
The legalisation of marijuana has led people to be more careless with their ‘product’ which has lead to an increase in issues with dogs eating products containing marijuana; however it is also important to note the toxicity of chocolate in dogs as well which also causes cardiac arrhythmias. Since Leila consumed both marijuana and chocolate, I would recommend visiting a Veterinarian immediately for an examination and supportive care. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 19, 2018
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Pomeranian
Kobi
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
He Ate Thc Concentrate
My 10lb one year old Pomeranian just ate a half gram of thc bho shatter its been an hour since he ate it. We just gave him 3% hydrogen peroxide to help induce vomiting as we looked up videos to do safely. He's showing no symptoms yet I'm just worried. I'm also worried about not being able to afford the vet visit.
When should take him to the vet? Also how long should we wait for him to throw up?
April 23, 2018
0 Recommendations
Due to the concentrated form of shatter, I would recommend visiting your Veterinarian regardless since I don’t have any specific information on concentration or how quickly it is absorbed into the bloodstream. You could also call the Pet Poison Helpline as they may have some data on the consumption of shatter. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 24, 2018
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Chihuahua
lucy
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Slow,
my chihuahua ate 97% concentrate thc and slept through the night & when she woke up she began to shake & gag but hasn’t thrown up, she’s currently still sleeping but refuses to drink or eat anything or show reaction. it’s currently been almost 10 hours since it has happened. i don’t have the money for a vet but should i take her anyways ..?
April 20, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Depending on the amount of THC that Lucy ate, she may need supportive care to help clear that from her system and keep her hydrated until she recovers. Many clinics do offer a 'free first exam' to help you have her evaluated, and it would be a good idea to have her seen today to make sure that she is okay.
April 20, 2018
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Labrador Retriever
Fender
3 Months
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Lethargic
Wobbly
Stretching
Gassy
Stretching In Sleep
My boy has been climbing more lately and was able to get to an ash tray that had a couple of almost finished joints in it. I looked and he may have eaten only one or two which would be less than a gram of raw weed, no tobacco. I think it happened around 7:30 PM because I noticed that he started wobbling at around 8 PM. He was still pretty alert when it started to hit him, so I kept him company and played some fetch with him. He was very energetic for about 10 minutes and then he started to become lethargic and he peed a bit as he slept. About 20 minutes later we were able to get him to eat and drink some water. Then about 10 minutes after that, he threw up a small amount of chunky matter that looked like ground up kibble, but it smelt like the ash from the ash tray. We were able to get him to drink more water and eat afterwards and then he went back to sleeping. Now it's been about 5 hours and he threw up a much bigger amount that I could see other food/treats he had eaten the days prior. I spoon-fed him water and then got him to drink a good amount from his bowl. He's back to sleeping and I have blankets around him so he doesn't get cold. I think his pulse is around 140 but I'm not sure if I counted correctly.
Basically my question is, will he be okay? I'm especially worried because he's pretty young and we didn't immediately take him to a vet, but he seems pretty good. He's not shaking when he's asleep just a little wobbly when he's awake. I can't really afford to take him to the vet, so any other things you would recommend to do from home would be much appreciated.
April 13, 2018
1 Recommendations
There is no specific treatment for marijuana poisoning in dogs, normally we try to induce vomiting to prevent absorption into the bloodstream but this needs to be done within two hours or less of ingestion. At this point, it is a case of ensuring that Fender’s body temperature is regulated and that he is kept hydrated through this poisoning event. However, symptoms may last for five days or more depending on the case; I would recommend visiting a Veterinarian regardless of cost especially if there is no improvement. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 13, 2018
UPDATE: He was lying down on the couch next to me and started making throw up noises so I put him on the ground and he threw up again. About double the amount as last time. And a bit more wet, still with junks of food.I offered him water but he went back to resting. Should I be worried about him getting Aspiration Pneumonia?
April 13, 2018
Fender's Owner
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Marijuana Poisoning Average Cost
From 189 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,500
Average Cost
$1,200
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