To the editor,
We had quite the scare last month. Our five-month-old Chihuahua/toy poodle cross was lethargic, sleepy, with a low body temperature, and was staggering around and falling over like a newborn goat, unable to keep his balance. I Googled his symptoms and thought he’d had a stroke, so we called the veterinarian and we took him in. They took his vitals and gave him a urine test which he failed. Apparently, our sweet little guy had a body stone.
We were shocked because he’d only been on one short walk around the neighbourhood, otherwise he’s a backyard puppy, but somehow along the way he had ingested some pot. Even more shocking, the vet said they see this every day. As per doctor’s orders, we kept him warm and in the dark and in the morning he was back to normal, with a healthy appetite.
I posted my story on Facebook to warn others and got an even bigger shock when, within an hour, at least 12 of my friends commented that they had had a similar experience, and not just little dogs but huskies and Labradors.
With marijuana being legalized, more people are smoking outdoors, at the beach and parks, and tossing away roaches like cigarette butts, I guess. This is not only distressing, not to mention expensive, to pet owners, but it puts an enormous, unnecessary burden on veterinary clinics.
Since I had no idea this was a thing, let alone such a common occurrence, I do hope this is also news to others as well. For the sake of veterinarians and pet owners, enjoy, but please dispose of your roach or gummy wrapper, or whatever, where our pets won’t find it.
Barbara Neill-St. Clair, Nanaimo
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