It’s 420: We Do Not Judge!

Friends and Neighbors, 

This 420 we want to remind you that we do not judge!

Recreational use of marijuana is becoming more accessible across the country and is already legal in Illinois. With that, chances of ingestion by our pets are increasing. Marijuana toxicity can necessitate treatment in our pets and the best thing to do is to be honest with your veterinarian about a potential ingestion - they do not judge if you have marijuana in your home! 

Like many substances that are otherwise safe for people, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive substance in marijuana, can be dangerous for our pets. Weight and size of the pet, with the quantity of ingested cannabinoids, plays a large role in which symptoms occur. Unfortunately, pets metabolize cannabinoids much slower than humans which causes them to feel the effects of THC for anywhere up to 24 hours (or longer), depending on how much they consumed.

To keep your pets safe, we recommend keeping any THC products stored away in containers they can not open in locations they can not reach. Consider child-proof containers and upper cabinets. Products that smell appetizing to us may be enticing to your pets as well, so don’t assume because it’s not food that they won’t investigate it and think it’s worth a bite!

If you are suspicious that your pet has ingested marijuana, below are potential symptoms:

• Difficulty walking

• Staggering

• Twitching

• Rocking back and forth on the spot

• Drooling

• Wide open eyes

• Tense muscles

• Lethargy

• Dilated pupils

• Glassy eyes

• Vomiting

• Low or high heart rate

• Whining and crying

• Loss of bladder control

If you believe your pet has ingested marijuana, seek veterinary attention right away and do not wait for symptoms to appear; we can often induce vomiting and prevent toxicity. Some owners may feel unsure when expressing that their pet has ingested marijuana due to it being illegal in some places; however, it is important to be honest with your veterinarian. Their only objective is to treat your pet and nothing else. They do not judge and it can help them diagnose the true cause of your pets symptoms without going down a rabbit hole of diagnostics! 

We hope you found these tips useful and that they help you keep your pet happy and healthy! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask us. As always, we’re here for you and your pets.

Sincerely,

The BLVD Team