Sara Bell was at North 40 Park Reserve in Delta, B.C., with her two-year-old husky named Nilak when he gulped down a napkin he found on the ground. Bell tried to retrieve it, but Nilak swallowed it whole. Nilak, who has a liver condition called Portosystemic Shunt, began acting strangely. Concerned, Bell rushed him to a vet where tests revealed that Nilak had ingested and overdosed on cocaine. After receiving fluids, Nilak recovered.
Shocked and scared for her dog, Bell shared the incident on Facebook and was surprised by the number of people who recounted similar experiences of their dogs ingesting drugs found on the streets. Mia Riback shared her own ordeal when her previous dog ingested hashish at a campground and required emergency veterinary care. Another dog, belonging to Melissa White, ingested cannabis and had to be rushed to the vet as well.
Veterinarians are witnessing a rise in cases of dog overdoses, with Dr. Tracy Fisher noting an uptick in such incidents. Owners are urged to be vigilant if their dogs exhibit unusual behavior after being outside, especially if they suspect drug ingestion. Dr. Fisher emphasizes the importance of prompt veterinary attention, particularly in cases involving opioids like fentanyl.
Dr. Heather James of the Society of B.C. Veterinarians mentions an increase in dogs with multiple drug exposures, often due to ingesting contaminated human waste in urban areas. Signs of drug ingestion in dogs can include imbalance, difficulty walking, twitching, vomiting, or urinary incontinence. Vets utilize human drug tests to identify ingested substances and administer appropriate treatment to reverse the effects.
