Spring reminder: B.C. SPCA warns pet owners to be on look out for poisonous roaches
With higher temperatures and more blue sky days on the horizon, many people are starting to take their furry companions out to parks more often. Roaches from cannabis joints left on sidewalks and in dog parks pose a serious risk to dogs, according to a B.C. SPCA media release. There...
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With higher temperatures and more blue sky days on the horizon, many people are starting to take their furry companions out to parks more often.
Roaches from cannabis joints left on sidewalks and in dog parks pose a serious risk to dogs, according to a B.C. SPCA media release.
There is a long list of symptoms of ingestion that concerned owners can watch their pets for and action steps they can take if they suspect their pup is sick from pot.
READ MORE: Unexpected pandemic side effect: THC poisoning in dogs
Karen Beckmann’s chocolate Labrador puppy, Daisy, had her first incident with marijuana at 10 weeks old. She rushed her pet to the vet where they confirmed the poisoning with a urine test.
“My husband thought she was having a stroke, she was wobbling, her eyes were red and she could not walk straight,” Beckmann said in the release.
Dogs exposed to cannabis through ingestion or inhaling second-hand smoke might display lethargy, dilated pupils, glassed over eyes, loss of balance, whining or breathing problems.
They could display agitated behaviour, excessive drooling, vomiting, changes in blood pressure or abnormal heart rhythm.
Your dog might have tremors, too high or too low body temperature, seizures or even go into a coma, the B.C. SPCA said.
READ MORE: Beware of discarded roaches, they can poison your dog: BC SPCA
After an exposure, the signs of possible toxicity can show anywhere between five minutes up to 12 hours. Depending on the amount weed the dog is exposed to, symptoms of poisoning can last from half an hour to several days.
Smaller dogs are more affected because of their faster metabolism.
Marijuana can be lethal for dogs when a large amount has been ingested.
Reports show that dogs have a larger number of cannabinoid receptors in their brain compared to humans and therefore may be more sensitive to the effects of THC than humans, the SPCA said.
If your dog has been exposed to marijuana, call your veterinarian immediately.
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