My dog ate cannabis lotion today

[TheJenners]

Yes I called the vet immediately.

Dog sitter (dogs’ “auntie”) messages me that Wesley, the incorrigible counter surfer that he is, managed to get a sample jar of pain-relieving cannabis cream off her kitchen table. It’s sold as a low-THC, high-CBD lotion. I gave the vet the exact brand and type, and advised per dog sitter, about half was missing.

She Googled and had the dog sitter induce vomiting, which worked wonders. I had asked, what happens if he doesn’t throw up? She said he would need to come in because it would be a “bad thing.” Ho hum. I always assumed it was the THC, but apparently not?

Anyone have insight?

[MustangSavvy]

It is the THC. We see it all the time at the clinic. The dogs usually come in drooling and ataxic. We usually keep them on IV fluids and check bloodwork. They are usually fine though after fluids.

[TheJenners]

So this was 6 mg CBD but low-THC… so I think maybe the vomiting was a “better safe than sorry” situation, but not necessary? Not that I’ll be feeding him cannabis lotion :lol:; I’m just curious.

[yellowbritches]

I could be wrong, but even if it is low THC, it may be bad for dogs. They may not metabolize it the same as we do, which is why it can be so hard on them when they ingest edibles, etc.

Someone smarter, please correct me if I’m wrong.

[Horsegal984]

Even low THC can be bad for dogs, it’s takes very small amounts to start causing drooling, ataxic, irregular heartbeats, urinary incontinence, tremoring or seizures.

Most of the time, yes, they are fine after some time but it’s hard to know how much THC per lb causes problems, it seems to vary per dog. If they don’t vomit at home we usually recommend to come in to induce vomiting and try to get it up. Better safe than trying to medicate out the tremors and regulate the heart.

[Pep_n_Ann]

It could also be the other ingredients in the lotion.

[TheJenners]

Thanks! So any amount is bad. Dumb dog. :lol:

[Obiwan]

THC is generally considered the element of marijuana that gets you high. Think paranoid, incompetent, impaired memory, depleted motor control effects. You could almost consider THC to be the bad side effect of marijuana.

Most days people who are using marijuana for medicinal benefits rather than a recreations drug are looking for the CBD. Is is not a psychoactive like THC. This is why it would effect dogs completely differently. Given their (usually) smaller stature to humans, the way they metabolize, and their neurological differences to humans. Now I’m going a little out of my knowledge here, but I presume these differences is why large amounts of THC can be devastating to dogs. Frankly large amounts of THC, IMO, are not that great for people either. CBD does not effect neurological pathways nearly to the likes of THC.

People who regularly take CBD report great things. Personally I tend to use it to reduce nausea, and arthritis pain, and sometimes for focus (take my experience for what it’s worth). CBD does not make you sleepy like THC, either. CBD has also been tested mildly on animals and so far has been deemed ‘safe’ at large doses. The UK tends to do more studies than the US due to federal regulations.

I also know a few people who administer CBD therapy to some of their animals who are having end of life medical problems, and they’ve felt like it’s reduced their animal from puking, given a bit of energy… Who knows it might just be a placebo effect or the owner just wants to see a change.

That might be a lot of information, but essentially the take away from all of that is THC is bad because it effect neuralgic pathways, and CBD is alright because it does not effect the body neurologically. However we don’t really know how CBD effects the body due to lack of studies.

[MustangSavvy]

[QUOTE=TheJenners;8887619]
So this was 6 mg CBD but low-THC… so I think maybe the vomiting was a “better safe than sorry” situation, but not necessary? Not that I’ll be feeding him cannabis lotion :lol:; I’m just curious.[/QUOTE]

Any amount of TCH can be bad. The other big bonus is most dogs ingest it as edibles or in brownies. Double whammy there.

[csaper58]

If he is a counter surfer it might be a good idea to keep a couple doses of Activated Charcoal on hand.

Even a little THC could transfer to you from his saliva, don’t let him lick you if you might be drug tested.

If he is an Aussie, or MDR1 positive, there are additional considerations.

[TheJenners]

Um he definitely is, the naughty counter surfer is on the right. I haven’t had him tested, suppose I should… I switched vets due to this issue because my other dog is 3/4 Aussie 1/4 Kelpie, I expressed this concern, and she later put him on Ivermectin heart worm meds anyway. I didn’t discover until a few doses in because hey, I do what the vet says. Read the box and immediately tossed because while he was ok at this point, I didn’t want to risk the puppy.

What would MDR1 have to do with THC?

And this occurred at the sitter’s house; I obviously can’t have cannabis products at my house :lol:. She is retired, and I honestly had been pushing her to smoke weed for years for various issues :lol: :lol: :lol:.

[WildandWickedWarmblo]

Well, a mellow dog would be nice. I’d like to try weed on one of my grumpy horses.

I’ve been at parties where the air was, well, full of fumes of marijuana. The dogs and cats who lived in those houses all would just sleep and be mellow. They did not eat or smoke, just breathed the air. Which was cleaner and better for them than the polluted air outside.

The dogs and cats at dope parties did not eat a lot or get the munchies.

[Horsegal984]

[QUOTE=TheJenners;8890282]
Um he definitely is, the naughty counter surfer is on the right. I haven’t had him tested, suppose I should… I switched vets due to this issue because my other dog is 3/4 Aussie 1/4 Kelpie, I expressed this concern, and she later put him on Ivermectin heart worm meds anyway. I didn’t discover until a few doses in because hey, I do what the vet says. Read the box and immediately tossed because while he was ok at this point, I didn’t want to risk the puppy.

What would MDR1 have to do with THC?

And this occurred at the sitter’s house; I obviously can’t have cannabis products at my house :lol:. She is retired, and I honestly had been pushing her to smoke weed for years for various issues :lol: :lol: :lol:.[/QUOTE]

Definately either get him tested (you can order the kits to do it at home with a cheek swab for about $70) or just assume he is affected, as the adage is “white feet don’t treat!” More recent research has shown that the super low doses in heartworm preventatives are safe even for affected dogs but I understand not wanting to risk it.

As far as I know, the MRD1 gene doesn’t have an affect on THC per say, but there are lots of other medications they are sensitive to in addition to ivermectin that could be of more concern if he has a habit of getting into things. I’m assuming that’s what the previous poster meant.

[TheJenners]

Ah gotcha. Yes he does. Everything. He eats all the things.

[JanM]

The Jenners-They’re both adorable! I’m glad the surfer is O.K.