A bit more information about this sort of toxicity from Kerry!
Cannabis toxicosis in seen in dogs more than cats. The sources of marijuana can be:
– in the house after use
– garbage
– waste as parks etc.
– human faeces
– oils
Clinical signs can include:
– ataxia
– mydriasis
– absent palpebral response
– hyperaesthesia
– urinary incontinence
– dull mentation seen as obtundation, stupor and coma.
How do we diagnose this toxin?
– sometimes our owners know and tell us
– urine drug screening test
– testing of vomitus
Which of the products are actually toxic though?
– The chemical that causes the drug and clinical signs is delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – very toxic.
– Cannabidiol (CBD) is more medicinal.
– There are many oils that have unclear products in them and very commonly used in humans and animals therapeutically – find out if there is THC in it!
The onset of clinical signs is very rapid (about 30 to 90 minutes after ingestion). Duration of effects is LONG as the THC is stored in body fat so it can last days!
Treatment:
1. Decontamination – if the product has been ingested within 30 minutes then emesis can be induced and further decontamination can be performed with activated charcoal. Enterohepatic circulation is unclear but the half-life seems long based on clinical signs so charcoal tends to be given for 48h.
2. Symptomatic therapy – fluids may be indicated if hospitalised due to clinical signs such as ataxia, vomiting and obtundation.
3. Antidote – there is some good evidence that the use of intralipid emulsion (ILE) increases elimination.
Overall the prognosis is very good.
