Sunday morning – I witness a beautiful sunrise even though it is late with Daylight Saving’s time. Taco Belle is exploring the hellebores, daffodils, and flowering quince that are projecting their subtle beauty to a world that has been previously encrusted with sleet, snow, and bone chilling rain for the past month.
In my morning quiet time I remembered a time long ago when my husband and I took Jason fishing. It was a glorious day, and I witnessed the delight of a child in discovering the mystery of what was on the other end of the fishing pole. When my husband, a fisherman for over 50 years, suggested he try the other side of the boat, he says, "My philosophy is to cast here.” Thus one day of fishing experience for a child superseded that of a half century by a parent.
At the start of each day I personally ask the Creator of this magnificent universe for wisdom in my approach to the day. It truly is a privilege to be entrusted with the care of your precious dogs and cats.
The humbling reality is, unlike humans, pets cannot tell us where they have been and what the cause might be of their illness. "Fishing" for a cause and appropriate treatment is at times quite a frustration. Dr. Mackie, my dear friend, NCSU cohort, and veterinary colleague for over 33 years ( the last 6 at Creature Comforts Animal Hospital), lamented the other day that we occasionally remember our successes but are forever haunted by our failures. And one of the most tormenting failures we encounter is when a pet is ill due to toxic ingestion of prescription and recreational drugs, plants, pesticides, and poisons. I thought I would take this moment to answer some common questions about this topic, and hopefully reduce the number of toxicity cases I see.
What is one of the toxicities on the rise in the veterinary profession?
Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) ingestion is being noted nationwide, not just in states such as Colorado and Washington where “weed” is legalized. NBC news reports the Animal Poison Control Center has reported a 30% rise. Since dogs weigh less than people, marijuana can sit in “stoned” pets for 3 to 4 days and cause dilated pupils, red eyes, drooling, urinary incontinence, low body temperature, disorientation/drunken appearance, slow heart rate, seizures, and in rare cases coma. The edible "pot" signs are related to amount of THC weed consumed versus the weight of the animal. 25% do not react in the same manner as people; rather they become agitated, distressed, and have rapid heart rates. Signs can develop within 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion as it targets the brain.
How do pets consume such products?
Ingestion comes from leaves, edible products, and Bong water. The edible versions are made the same as regular cookies or brownies with the cannabis oil added to the recipe. Although these contain high levels of the chief psychoactive substance, tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, they taste the same as the regular product. Tainted versions for sale also include beef jerky, chai mints, and chocolate truffles. People practice restraint and tend to eat one brownie; while dogs engorge on the “entire box” of tainted goodies. When there is a lot of chocolate in the product, this can enhance the toxicity signs. THC also seems to increase the “munchies” tendency.
Is there an antidote for ingestion of marijuana?
No, supportive care is given with warm fluids to help maintain normal body temperature, monitor blood pressure, activated charcoal administered orally to lower the amount of absorption, and induction of vomiting if within a couple of hours of ingestion. Many pets will require supervision for 3 to 4 days in a hospital setting necessary for those showing seizures or extreme intoxication. However, since marijuana is used for the medicinal purpose to lessen nausea associated with chemotherapy in people, it can be a challenge to induce vomiting after ingestion.
I found a ½ empty baggy with a green, leafy substance in my child’s room and my pet is acting disoriented. How can I document this is marijuana exposure?
Take your pet and the substance to a veterinary facility. It is not a reportable issue to legal authorities. Rather the concern is the health and safety of your pet. Blood and urine tests to human laboratories such as Lab Corp are recommended. Although there are over the counter urine test kits, pets often test falsely negative. In people, these urine tests often cross react positive with human medications such as antibiotics, anti-anxiety drugs, pain, and cold medications, so self-diagnosis is not recommended.
Can pets die from marijuana ingestion? Where can I obtain emergency information quickly?
Yes, but this is rare. Please call the front desk during office hours at 919-387-3435 for emergency help. As an alternative, The Pet poison hotline is available at 1-800-213-6680 for emergency questions (iPhone app $1.99). There is a $39 fee charge. Be truthful in these conversations concerning the risks of exposure including prescription & recreational drugs as well as possible indoor & outdoor poisons. We are “fishing together, “not playing charades.
One, highlight of this blog I would like to add is searching the internet for new research that is helpful to all of us. Below is one such research proposal at Auburn University released this week concerning fibroids in women.
Why is this research proposal an interesting investigation for women’s health?
Auburn University reports that 70% of women in the USA will develop uterine fibroids by 50 years of age which can be painful and debilitating. The cause (and thus effective treatment) remains elusive. In utilizing a hens laying eggs model, investigators are researching over-nutrition and onset of early puberty. According to Dr. Wallace Berry, poultry scientist at Auburn, chickens have ovarian cells and hormonal cycles that are similar to women. In a controlled setting, researchers can manipulate the sexual development of hens through lighting and diet. One hypothesized factor is the rising insulin growth factor (IGF) factor which increases with over-nutrition, leading to an increased risk of fibroid tumors. In summary, this research project could help establish ways to lessen the severity of uterine fibroid tumors through nutritional recommendations. One third of the 600,000 hysterectomies performed in the USA are due to fibroid tumors.
Statically and fiscally speaking, besides the physical & mental toll on women and their families, the annual cost of lost work hours, surgeries, hospitalizations, lost work hours, and pregnancy complications due to uterine fibroid tumors is estimated by Auburn at $34.4 billion dollars annually.
On a personal note, my mother died from complications of uterine cancer when I was 25 years old. Having a sister that was recently diagnosed and treated for uterine cancer, it is personal as well.
Until next time,
Betsy Sigmon DVM , hospital director, Creature Comforts Animal Hospital, Cary, NC
