More dogs eating marijuana in Colorado
Veterinarians have seen an increase in pets eating the substance.
A study conducted on patients at the Colorado State University (CSU) College of Veterinary Medicine and Wheat Ridge Veterinary Specialists (WRVS) shows that the number of animals being treated for marijuana toxicity cases quadrupled between 2005 and 2010.
At WRVS, the number of toxicity cases due to marijuana increased from 1.5 per 1,000 visits in 2005 to 4.5 per 1,000 visits in 2010. Marijuana toxicity cases at CSU increased from 0.16 per 1,000 visits in 2005 to 0.81 per 1,000 visits in 2010.
This number correlates with the increase in numbers of registered medical marijuana users during the same years—730 in 2005, to 106,653 in 2010, according to the study.
Most cases are not from owners trying to get their pets high for fun, but from pets getting into their owners’ marijuana. Telling pet owners to store their marijuana appropriately can keep pets safe and cut down on toxicity cases.
For a list of essential pet toxins to share with your clients, click here.
