Marijuana Toxicity

Marijuana toxicity is a common diagnosis at Middletown Animal Hospital. It is not uncommon for us to see several intoxicated animals each month. It typically occurs in dogs when they ingest any product containing marijuana or any part of a marijuana plant. The most common clinical signs are unsteady on their feet (walking like they are drunk), dribbling urine, "falling asleep on their feet", and a head bob. Usually several of these signs are present. An over the counter urine drug kit can help to diagnose this in addition to the above classic clinical signs. We often recommend blood work to rule out other disease processes as well. Some animals may require advanced medical care while others will improve on their own over about 24-48 hours. We always recommend seeking veterinary attention if you think your pet ingested marijuana to further assess their condition.