From Marijuana to Cocaine: Navigating Illicit Drug Toxicities in Pets

Let's talk about a less glamorous side of pet care: dealing with pets who've gotten into their owner's stash. It's more common than you might think, and knowing how to handle it can make all the difference. Here's a rundown of some common illicit drugs and how they affect our furry patients:

 Marijuana Madness: Yep, it's the big one. Marijuana toxicity is pretty common in our ER clinics. Symptoms can hit fast and include vomiting, depression, sensitivity to stimuli, dilated pupils, slow heart rate, and even urinary incontinence. In severe cases, pets can experience stupor, trouble breathing, tremors, and seizures. Early decontamination is key if there are no symptoms yet. Treatment involves supportive care with IV fluids and anti-nausea meds. We've heard mixed reviews on using lipid therapy, so it's a bit of a gray area.

Cocaine Craziness: Cocaine gets absorbed fast and packs a punch on the central nervous system. Pets who've gotten into it might show hyperactivity, restlessness, vomiting, followed by a rollercoaster of heart rate and blood pressure changes, seizures, and even death. Oh, and don't forget the risk of hypoglycemia. Decontamination is a good call if it's early and the pet is symptom-free. Treatment? Well, we're talking about symptom management here.

Amphetamine Adventures: Think ADHD meds. Same deal here. We're talking hyperactivity, tremors, seizures—the whole shebang. Treat it like you would ADHD medication toxicity.            

Opiate Ordeals: From opium to synthetic opioids, opiates can spell big trouble for our furry friends. Symptoms might include drooling, vomiting, depression, slow heart rate, low blood pressure, shallow breathing, and even seizures or coma. If the pet is symptom-free and it's early days, decontamination is a good idea. Treatment? Think supportive care, maybe even some mechanical ventilation if breathing is really struggling. And yes, naloxone can work wonders as a reversal agent.

Benzodiazepine Blues: Whether it's a prescription or a party favor, benzodiazepines can cause some serious sedation, weakness, and even respiratory depression in pets. Decontaminate if you can, and then it's all about supportive care. Flumazenil can help reverse things if needed.

There you have it, folks! Illicit drug toxicities are no joke, but with the right knowledge and treatment, we can help our furry patients bounce back. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and keep fighting the good fight for our four-legged friends!

Reference: Vet Candy’s Essentials of Toxicology by Dr. Carey Hemmelgarn