Aa
pot cookie.
My VERY small cat was found staggering around early today. After a little investigation, my boyfriend and found a plastic baggy that had been torn open by Prow (my cat.) and eaten the contents. After talking to my roommate, we discovered this was a marijuana cookie. Prow is very small (5.5 punds her last vet visit). Everyone told me it was going to be fine and to calm down, and my boyfrined refused to take her to the vet because well, really, we just can't afford it after taking her to the vet only a few weeks ago, we don't have any money in our accounts til tomorrow.
Long story short, I am growing INCREASINGLY concerned, and want to know if she is going to shake this off, how long will it take? what are the chances of fatality? can a vet do anything 24hours later?
is there anything i can do but sit with her and try to keep her comfy.
I am VERY freaked out, and upset with my roommate, any help or advice at all is appreciated...
Long story short, I am growing INCREASINGLY concerned, and want to know if she is going to shake this off, how long will it take? what are the chances of fatality? can a vet do anything 24hours later?
is there anything i can do but sit with her and try to keep her comfy.
I am VERY freaked out, and upset with my roommate, any help or advice at all is appreciated...
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Oh you poor thing! What a nightmare. Always important to make sure your roommates know what's poisonous to pets too. I once treated a dog in kidney failure b/c the dog ingested the roommate's ibuprofen while the roomie was pet-sitting him, but didn't tell the owner that the dog ate it until 3 days later. :(
Nevertheless, if your cat is breathing OK, eating, and just really sedate, you can likely monitor him at home at this point - only b/c it's been over 12 hours since ingestion. We usually see signs within 30-60 minutes, and the effects typically last 4-6 hours, but can last as long as 24 hours.
If however, you notice that your cat is limp, not able to walk, doesn't want to eat, or isn't breathing much, I'd rush him to a vet right away. At this point, it'd really just be IV fluids, monitoring the temperature at your vet, as there's no "antidote," but when in doubt, this is safest.
I hope that helps and good luck!
Nevertheless, if your cat is breathing OK, eating, and just really sedate, you can likely monitor him at home at this point - only b/c it's been over 12 hours since ingestion. We usually see signs within 30-60 minutes, and the effects typically last 4-6 hours, but can last as long as 24 hours.
If however, you notice that your cat is limp, not able to walk, doesn't want to eat, or isn't breathing much, I'd rush him to a vet right away. At this point, it'd really just be IV fluids, monitoring the temperature at your vet, as there's no "antidote," but when in doubt, this is safest.
I hope that helps and good luck!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear mollyconnolly,
If your cat was otherwise healthy, and the cause of the signs you see really is due solely to a marijuana laced cookie, it is likely your cat will recover. The amount of time to do so, will depend on the THC content (and other drug content, if any) in the cookie. Gfeller & Messionier's Toxicology textbook describes a 1 - 3 day recovery period, and emphasize that the vast majority do recover. An animal that is non-ambulatory, recumbent, or comatose risks dehydration and other secondary consequences of intoxication. If the cat is not improving gradually or worsens over 12-24 hours, hospitalization may be required to support the body while the THC is eliminated and metabolized.
On another note, and without making a judgment about the possible merit of decriminalization of marijuana use in the United States, you might want to inform your room mate that the use of imported marijuana funds violent drug cartels in the northern Mexican states that abut the United States southwest. These cartels have been using their money to purchase military armaments which are in turn used to attack American law enforcement officers and citizens in our country. These people have families and just want to get home to them every night. Your room mate ought to consider that, the next time he/she lights up a joint or bong. Doing drugs may be edgy or fun for some, but in a larger sense, it's harmful to our nation.
Good luck and I hope your kitten recovers rapidly! Please let us know how it turns out.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Arnold L. Goldman DVM, MS
MedHelp
If your cat was otherwise healthy, and the cause of the signs you see really is due solely to a marijuana laced cookie, it is likely your cat will recover. The amount of time to do so, will depend on the THC content (and other drug content, if any) in the cookie. Gfeller & Messionier's Toxicology textbook describes a 1 - 3 day recovery period, and emphasize that the vast majority do recover. An animal that is non-ambulatory, recumbent, or comatose risks dehydration and other secondary consequences of intoxication. If the cat is not improving gradually or worsens over 12-24 hours, hospitalization may be required to support the body while the THC is eliminated and metabolized.
On another note, and without making a judgment about the possible merit of decriminalization of marijuana use in the United States, you might want to inform your room mate that the use of imported marijuana funds violent drug cartels in the northern Mexican states that abut the United States southwest. These cartels have been using their money to purchase military armaments which are in turn used to attack American law enforcement officers and citizens in our country. These people have families and just want to get home to them every night. Your room mate ought to consider that, the next time he/she lights up a joint or bong. Doing drugs may be edgy or fun for some, but in a larger sense, it's harmful to our nation.
Good luck and I hope your kitten recovers rapidly! Please let us know how it turns out.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Arnold L. Goldman DVM, MS
MedHelp
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
As with Dr. Goldman, I'd like to post some general thoughts for public information. This is from my post at PetDocsOnCall.com.
Vets, especially at emergency clinics, occasionally see dogs who ate marijuana. Of course, the owner rarely brags about it. They typically pretend they don't know what's wrong with their pet, which makes it more difficult to treat appropriately! A trick vets can use: look at the client straight into the eyes... to see if their pupils are dilated!
Here are a few tidbits about marijuana toxicity in dogs.
Why is it toxic?
It contains 1 to 8% of a psychoactive ingredient called delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.
What's up with medicinal marijuana in people?
THC causes appetite stimulation and decreases the incidence of vomiting and nausea control among others. (Frankly for people on chemo and have lost appetite and weight it works very well!)
How long does it take to get sick?
Signs usually start 30 to 90 minutes after eating marijuana.
They can last for days because THC is stored in the body's fat deposits, where it lingers.
What are the signs?
They can include incoordination, lethargy, depression, dilated pupils (just like the owner!), a slow heart rate, a low rectal temperature. Occasionally, urinary incontinence is seen.
How is it diagnosed?
By quizzing the owner and by noticing the signs described above. The definitive diagnosis can be done with urine testing, just like in humans.
How is it treated?
If the pet exhibits no signs yet, and it has been less than 30 minutes since the marijuana was eaten, then inducing vomiting it the 1st thing to do.
If it is has been more than 30 minutes... well, remember, marijuana acts as an anti-vomiting and an anti-nausea substance, so it is difficult to cause vomiting after that.
Also, if the dog is sedated from the marijuana, causing vomiting is a risky proposition as it could go "down the wrong way" and cause a potentially deadly type of pneumonia called aspiration pneumonia.
In those cases, a liquid, black, messy substance called activated charcoal is given by mouth. It traps toxins, which are eventually eliminated. IV fluids and heat support are also provided. In severe cases, the treatment can be more intensive depending on the signs.
Stomach lavage (rinsing) can be performed, but it requires anesthesia or heavy sedation.
What is the outcome?
Death occasionally occurs, but most patients can be saved with quick and appropriate treatment. Part of the difficulty is that the owner needs to cooperate and let the vet know what truly happened.
After all, we're not cops, we're trying to save a patient!
***************
This can be tricky for a veterinarian, just as with cases of animal abuse, where you also suspect spousal or child abuse is also going on.
Vets, especially at emergency clinics, occasionally see dogs who ate marijuana. Of course, the owner rarely brags about it. They typically pretend they don't know what's wrong with their pet, which makes it more difficult to treat appropriately! A trick vets can use: look at the client straight into the eyes... to see if their pupils are dilated!
Here are a few tidbits about marijuana toxicity in dogs.
Why is it toxic?
It contains 1 to 8% of a psychoactive ingredient called delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.
What's up with medicinal marijuana in people?
THC causes appetite stimulation and decreases the incidence of vomiting and nausea control among others. (Frankly for people on chemo and have lost appetite and weight it works very well!)
How long does it take to get sick?
Signs usually start 30 to 90 minutes after eating marijuana.
They can last for days because THC is stored in the body's fat deposits, where it lingers.
What are the signs?
They can include incoordination, lethargy, depression, dilated pupils (just like the owner!), a slow heart rate, a low rectal temperature. Occasionally, urinary incontinence is seen.
How is it diagnosed?
By quizzing the owner and by noticing the signs described above. The definitive diagnosis can be done with urine testing, just like in humans.
How is it treated?
If the pet exhibits no signs yet, and it has been less than 30 minutes since the marijuana was eaten, then inducing vomiting it the 1st thing to do.
If it is has been more than 30 minutes... well, remember, marijuana acts as an anti-vomiting and an anti-nausea substance, so it is difficult to cause vomiting after that.
Also, if the dog is sedated from the marijuana, causing vomiting is a risky proposition as it could go "down the wrong way" and cause a potentially deadly type of pneumonia called aspiration pneumonia.
In those cases, a liquid, black, messy substance called activated charcoal is given by mouth. It traps toxins, which are eventually eliminated. IV fluids and heat support are also provided. In severe cases, the treatment can be more intensive depending on the signs.
Stomach lavage (rinsing) can be performed, but it requires anesthesia or heavy sedation.
What is the outcome?
Death occasionally occurs, but most patients can be saved with quick and appropriate treatment. Part of the difficulty is that the owner needs to cooperate and let the vet know what truly happened.
After all, we're not cops, we're trying to save a patient!
***************
This can be tricky for a veterinarian, just as with cases of animal abuse, where you also suspect spousal or child abuse is also going on.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I am also glad to hear your kitty is improving. Did not intend to be insensitive with my politically oriented comments. I intended only that others who read this exchange be prompted to think about the larger issues. I will continue to hope for your cats complete recovery.
ALG
ALG
Thank you both, it was an awful night (as I'm sure you could expect), and the advice wishes of luck were very much appreciated.
It has now been pretty close to twenty four hours, and all though slight improvement has been made.
she can walk much more steady now, although is not 100% on her feet. She isn't eating much, but we have been giving her milk (because it seems to be the only thing she'll drink). Her head is almost constantly cocked to the side, and her pupils are still pretty out there... are these typical symptoms?
Is there a possibility this is something more then just a marijuana cookie?
I am gettting her into the vet as soon as possible.
Also, Arnold L Goldman, I understand, and agree for the most part with all of those things... and will consider having a conversation with him. but i've had a pretty traumatizing night, and am too upset to have a rational conversation about such things. But i do appreciate the view point, and as i said, will consider having such a conversation.
It has now been pretty close to twenty four hours, and all though slight improvement has been made.
she can walk much more steady now, although is not 100% on her feet. She isn't eating much, but we have been giving her milk (because it seems to be the only thing she'll drink). Her head is almost constantly cocked to the side, and her pupils are still pretty out there... are these typical symptoms?
Is there a possibility this is something more then just a marijuana cookie?
I am gettting her into the vet as soon as possible.
Also, Arnold L Goldman, I understand, and agree for the most part with all of those things... and will consider having a conversation with him. but i've had a pretty traumatizing night, and am too upset to have a rational conversation about such things. But i do appreciate the view point, and as i said, will consider having such a conversation.
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