Most dog owners have a traumatic memory of the time their dog ate a sock, a packet of raisins, or an entire Christmas’s worth of Quality Street chocolates, still in their wrappers (cough).
But one chihuahua took the tendency to eat anything available to new levels after taking so much cocaine it collapsed, with its tongue lolling out and eyes failing to focus.
Despite cocaine use stereotypically leading to people not shutting up, the little dog did not become yappy, but was really suffering.
Its heart rate slowed right down – an unusual presentation, which vets said showed the importance of real world case studies.
The dog was taken to the vet for emergency treatment, and given a urine test after two previous episodes of suspected drug exposure, as well as a history of ‘dietary indiscretion’.
Owners said there were no drugs at home, but the dog might have been able to find some at a friend’s house.
The results were positive for cocaine, cocaine metabolites, norfentanyl and trace amounts of fentanyl, which could be explained from eating the same bag due to cocaine being cut with other substances.
The two-year-old male dog, whose identity has not been made public, made a full recovery after it was given a large dose of atropine, then epinephrine.
It is estimated to have consumed up to 96mg of cocaine, most likely by snorting (inhaling) it or eating (ingesting) it.
The owners were advised to muzzle their 5.5kg chihuahua, who mostly lives outdoors, when he could not be constantly monitored, to stop him eating anything more hazardous than dog biscuits in future.
A medical report into what happened has now been published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
Owners afraid to admit if their dog takes drugs
Lead author Dr Jake Johnson, a cardiology specialist, told owners to be honest if this happens to them too, as vets won’t judge or report them to authorities, and ‘this fear prevents crucial information sharing that could save lives’.
He added: ‘Dogs are natural scavengers and will investigate anything on the ground, so be vigilant during walks.
‘Pet owners can prevent ingestion by keeping their dog on a leash, watching for any attempts to pick up or consume unknown items from the ground, and using a basket muzzle if necessary.
‘Train your dog with “leave it” and “drop it” commands, which can be lifesaving if they encounter dangerous substances.
‘If you suspect any exposure or feel as though your dog is not acting normally, it’s important to seek immediate veterinary attention – early intervention can be lifesaving.’
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