FDA Poisonous Plant Database

AUTHOR(S): Schwartz, R. H. TITLE: Comments on Cannabis intoxication in pets. YEAR: 1989 CITATION: Vet Hum Toxicol, 31(3), 262 [English] FDA #: F08654 ABSTRACT: Complete article: In the October issue of this journal, in the section ¿toxic Plant Case Reports¿, Dr Smith from Alberta reported the ingestion of cannabis by a baby ferret which led to the development of a puzzling acute ataxia progressing rapidly to coma (1). Because a severe brain disorder was suspected by the veterinarian, the animal was sacrificed. Three years ago in another veterinary journal, I predicted that veterinarians would be asked to examine, without being told the truth about the toxic ingestion, marijuana-intoxicated house pets who developed sudden bizarre serious neurological signs, especially acute ataxia (2). In my letter to the editor I reported that 19 adolescents, enrolled in a drug abuse treatment center, admitted they had deliberately intoxicated their (or a good friend¿s) pet dot or cat 1 or more times by blowing marijuana smoke directly into the noses or the mouths of the animals. The reason given by the teenagers for this cruel behavior was to amuse themselves by watching the marijuana-intoxicated animals get ¿glassy-eyes¿ and develop an unsteady walk, often bumping into nearby furniture. Five of the 19 adolescents reported that the abuse caused their bewildered and worried parents to consult a veterinarian about the alarming neurological signs in their previously healthy pet. I concluded my letter by stating that ¿Veterinarians may wish to familiarize themselves with the appropriate laboratory methods to detect urinary cannabinoids in the event that pets with signs of marijuana intoxication are brought to them for treatment.¿ It seems propitious to repeat my counsel. References: 1. Smith RA: Coma in a ferret after ingestion of cannabis. Vet Human Toxicol 30:489. 1998. 2. Schwartz RH, Riddile M: marijuana intoxication in pets. J Am Vet Med Assoc 187:206. 1985. [Signed] Richard H Schwartz, MD; 410 Maple Avenue, West Vienna, Virginia 22180

GRIN #: 8862 COMMON NAME: marijuana STANDARD COMMON NAME: hemp FAMILY: Cannabaceae LATIN NAME: Cannabis STANDARD PLANT NAME: Cannabis sativa L.