Dog owners in Tunbridge Wells are on high alert after their pets became ill from consuming marijuana while out for a walk in a popular family park. People whose dogs were struck down are warning others walking in Grosvenor and Hilbert Park.
Symptoms the dogs suffered included lack of energy and tremors. Claudia Nastri’s dog Luna became ill and was taken to the vet, where they said she had probably eaten marijuana.
Luna was treated and stayed at the vet overnight. She was allowed home the next day but she remained quiet for a few more days. Claudia, who lives in Tunbridge Wells, alerted others via Nextdoor and it was clear this was not an isolated incident, she said.
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Another dog owner said her vet also concluded she had “eaten grass” and gave her an antidote, the same as Luna. Claudia told KentLive: “I know a few dogs have become ill now and I know of two others who had the same symptoms after going into the woods.”
“It’s unlikely that they ate marijuana in its pure form; it’s more likely that they ate something that contained traces of it.” She had taken Luna for a walk in the park around 8 a.m., as she does Monday through Friday.
She said Luna disappeared for up to six minutes, which was “very unlike her,” into the woods in the boardwalk area, on the right hand side when the stream is on your left. “Eventually she came back and found me, and we continued our walk.”
“Then I drove her to work, as she accompanies me to the office a few days a week. At around 11am I noticed that something was wrong with her as she was extremely lethargic and kept shaking her head back and forth.
“I managed to get her to the vet for 3pm and over the next few hours her symptoms got worse. Her eyes were completely bloodshot, her mouth was tilted to the side and she was shaking her head really badly.
“I had to carry her to my car because she couldn’t walk. She also had an uncontrollable fit of shaking in the vet’s waiting room and also lost control of her bladder.”
Claudia said the vet at Culverden Vets in Tunbridge Wells was “brilliant”. She said they immediately diagnosed that Luna had probably ingested a poison and she was almost certain it was marijuana “as she had seen symptoms like this before”.
Same experience a few days later
After the incident in late July, Luna was given charcoal and a stronger antidote intravenously to “flush the poison out of her system”. She said: “My husband and I were then able to pick her up the next morning – she was very quiet for a few days but thankfully made a full recovery.”
Another pet owner from Tunbridge Wells had the same experience a few days after Claudia. They reported on Nextdoor that their dog had “fully recovered” after a night at the vet, where he was also given “anti-toxin medication.”
They added that their vet also assumed the dog had eaten grass. However, they said their dog’s reaction took longer, about four hours, to become noticeable.
Advice on what to do if your dog eats marijuana
PDSA animal care manager Nina Downing said: “Dogs suffer cannabis poisoning if they ingest it. Unfortunately, your dog may come across cannabis while out walking and if they ingest it they will likely start to feel unwell.
“Although we have seen cases of cannabis poisoning, fortunately this is rare. If you suspect your dog has eaten cannabis, it is a good idea to have them checked by your veterinarian as soon as possible rather than waiting until symptoms appear.
“It is important for pet owners to be aware that cannabis poisoning can resemble other poisonings or health problems, the most serious of which is antifreeze poisoning. Antifreeze poisoning can be fatal to pets, so owners must seek immediate veterinary attention if they notice possible poisoning or experience any of the symptoms.”
“Cannabis contains a chemical called THC. THC has psychoactive effects on the brain, which is why it is popular as a recreational drug among humans. In dogs, clinical signs of cannabis poisoning can appear 30 to 90 minutes after consumption.”
Symptoms of cannabis poisoning in dogs may include:
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Looks empty
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Coordination disorders and lack of motivation as well as dilated pupils
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Slow heartbeat
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Urinary incontinence
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A startle reaction in which the dog appears sleepy and threatens to fall over, but then suddenly regains balance
Nina added: “If you suspect your dog has ingested cannabis, it is really important to share all information with your vet so they are as informed as possible and can provide your dog with the most effective treatment. For any concerned dog owner, a vet’s first and only concern is providing the best care for your pet, not calling the police.”
Treating cannabis poisoning in dogs
“The best way to treat cannabis poisoning depends on the individual case and your veterinarian can offer advice and treatment options for your dog,” said Nina. “There are a few possible methods that could be used to treat cannabis poisoning:
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Vomiting may be induced, but this depends on the individual case.
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Activated charcoal is often used to treat poisoning. It is administered orally and as it travels through your dog’s digestive system, any remaining toxins are trapped in the charcoal and eliminated from the body in the feces.
“There is no specific ‘cure’ for cannabis poisoning, but your dog may need additional supportive treatments to relieve and control symptoms, such as fluid infusion.”
For more information about PDSA, the animal welfare organisation for pets in need, visit their website here.
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