Introduction

Pets are intrinsic parts of many peoples’ lives; staying in our homes, accompanying us to places and interacting with family and friends on a daily basis. Given this, they are also exposed to many of the same hazards and risks that their humans are. Most owners are aware of these and take steps to avoid this. For example: keeping rat poisons and herbicides out-of-reach or in special bait stations that are pet-proof; keeping gates closed so they cannot run into traffic or get into fights.

Recreational drugs are unfortunately one of the unexpected hazards that may affect pets. Since animals are not the intended recipients, in many cases the risk of exposure if over-looked. Given their curious nature, they will often investigate anything that seems remotely edible or interesting, especially dogs. There are multiple avenues through which exposure can occur – the vast majority of cases accidental but in rare cases, people will deliberately expose their own or someone else animals. Here are some of the ways we have encountered:

• Pets directly eating material – in some cases jumping onto furniture or scratching open containers.
  • Commonly marijuana plant material: Everything from the actual plant, from the compost heap, ash-trays, joints.
  • Powders, tablets, liquids: Cocaine powder licked-up on plates, trays on tables.
  • Edibles: stealing from tables etc.; to digging up ‘space’ cakes buried in garden, being fed by people – often at parties.
• Indirect exposure
  • Inhaling smoke from smoking or vaping, burning material
  • Getting material on coat or paws – especially common in cats – in which they clean themselves and get it in by licking.
• Unknown
  • Off-lead animals in parks have been found intoxicated afterwards.

There are a large variety of recreational drugs. Some drugs can be obtained legally (marijuana) and many illegally (cocaine etc.) Since the legalisation of marijuana in this country, the numbers of these cases that we see have steadily risen and mark the majority of types of intoxication we see.

What To Do If Your Animal Has Potentially Been Exposed

Do not panic.

Get as much relevant information as possible: what, how, when etc. If someone else may have exposed them, ask calmly and in a relaxed manner. Bring your pet in as soon as possible. Do not stop to give them water. You may have heard of making animals vomit to get the toxins out. This is something that can be very helpful but to so at home needs to be considered very carefully first. In some cases, making them vomit can actively cause more harm than good. Your vet will be able to assess if it is safe to make your pet vomit and will have special medication designed for that purpose.

It is not always possible know if exposure has happened. Different drugs can present differently and the same drug can look different depending on multiple factors: age, breed, underlying conditions, size, amount of drug, mixed drugs and length of exposure. If your animal is acting weird, the safest is to bring it in.

If you do know or suspect they have been exposed, it is very important to let your vet know, so they can start them on the appropriate treatment as soon possible. Don’t be scared to tell your vet. We are not here to judge you. Our only aim is to help your pet and we are not the police.

What Should I Do To Avoid My Pet Being Exposed?

Do not do drugs – this is the safest for your pet and for you. If you are going to partake, do so in as safe and responsible manner as possible.

Recreational drugs impair faculties and the chances of accidental exposure increase. Have a sober person around (like a designated driver) who can spot issues and prevent them from occurring. If possible, rather partake on a property where no animals are present. Do not allow any animals in a room that has drugs in them – whether they are just being stored, used or after use (including ash) – this is the most common way animals access them. Keep drugs out-of-reach e.g. locked in strong containers on high counters or in cupboards animals cannot open. When having guests over, ensure that everyone is made-aware of animals and to not give or expose them – e.g. blowing smoke into their faces. If growing marijuana, ensure plants are properly fenced-off – this includes the compost heap. If people working on your property and they may be partaking, ensure that they aware of the risks and dispose of any material correctly.

How Do I Know If My Pet Has Been Exposed?

Unless direct exposure was seen, it is not always easy to know. Presence of drugs of the property, their recent use, people who are intoxicated can indicate risk of exposure. Very many different types intoxications can appear very similar and differentiating them can be difficult. This is why knowledge of the types of possible exposure can be very valuable.

Very important to know – drug addicts may not be aware that they have exposed an animal or are not in a position to responsibly prevent animal exposure. Support and awareness are required in these situations; if possible, avoid placing people experiencing difficulties in a position of responsibility over an animal.

Recreational drugs are often divided into different groups with different symptoms. However, there is overlap and depending on various factors, symptoms can actually be opposite of what is typically expected. Common drugs include:

• Uppers: Amphetamines (Speed), Methamphetamines (Crystal Meth, Tik), MDMA (Ecstasy), Cocaine, Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
• Chillers: Opiates & Opioids (Heroin), Marijuana (Dagga)
• Hallucinogenics: Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
• Mixtures: Nyaope, White pipe, drugs cut with other things

Uppers generally do what they say and cause hyperactivity, aggression, over-heating, tremors, shaking, wobbliness, fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, dilated pupils, walking circles and head bobbing. In some cases, even death. Some like, MDMA, may cause hallucinations – vocalizations, seeing stuff, disorientation and to muscle stiffness and sedation.

Chillers, as the name says, generally cause depression, wobbliness, slow heartbeat, low temperatures, vocalization, drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, urinary incontinence, seizures, and coma. In some cases, acting startled by sudden movements. Opiates and opioids cause suppression of the central nervous system, cardiovascular and gastro-intestinal systems. This can results in sleepiness, wobbliness, vomiting, seizures, pin-point pupils, coma, weak breathing, low blood pressure, constipation/diarrhoea, death. Some animals – cats for example may show hyper-excitation.

What Happens To My Animal When I Take Them To The Vet?

We get a history and perform a clinical examination. From there, we see if a drug test is indicated. Unfortunately, there is not currently any animal specific in-hospital drug test, for this we would have to send samples to the laboratory. Instead, we use human urine drug tests. These are not as accurate in animals because of the way humans and animals metabolize and process drugs, but it can give us a good idea. From there, we decide if this is a specific diagnosis of a drug intoxication, a non-specific intoxication (many intoxications and even diseases can look the same) and decide on the course of treatment.

Depending on how severe the patient’s conditions, special patient conditions e.g. puppy vs. adult, we will discuss with you what we advise for treatment, what to expect and likely outcomes. If you have questions, don’t be scared to ask! Depending on how the patient is looking it may be given something to make it vomit. Some patients are too severely ill to have this. If however, we can get as much as possible of the drugs out, it can greatly improve the prognosis. However, this only tends to work in the first 1-2hr after ingestion and even in that case, not always. Cats and dogs get different medications to make them vomit.

Treatment varies greatly depending on of severe the case is. Mild cases might actually be sent home with treatment; moderate cases admitted for monitoring and less extensive treatment. Severe cases may require blood work and more tests, intra-venous fluid therapy, medication to stop seizures & tremors, certain types of medications to bind toxins either in the gastro-intestinal tract or in the blood stream and intensive supportive care as the patient’s body may not be able to control its temperature, blood pressure etc.  Most patients will receive some sort of absorptive like activated charcoal to bind toxins and maybe a laxative to speed-up the elimination process.

Bringing in your animal as soon as possible, with full disclosure is the best way to help us get to the correct diagnosis and best treatment for your pet as soon as possible.

If you or a loved one needs help, please contact:

Substance Abuse Helpline: 0800 12 13 14