A woman named Sara Bell took her two-year-old husky Nilak for a walk at North 40 Park Reserve in Delta, B.C. Nilak swallowed a napkin he found on the ground, which caused concern as he has a liver condition called Portosystemic Shunt. Rushed to a veterinarian, tests revealed that Nilak had ingested cocaine, leading to an overdose. After receiving necessary fluids, Nilak recovered.
Shocked and scared for her dog, Bell shared the incident on Facebook, discovering that many others had similar experiences of their dogs ingesting drugs found on the street. Mia Riback recounted an incident where her previous dog ingested hashish at a campground in Squamish, requiring emergency veterinary care. Melissa White also had a dog ingest cannabis at North 40, emphasizing the need for vigilance when walking dogs.
Veterinarians have noticed an increase in dog overdose cases, attributed to the prevalence of illicit substances. Dr. Tracy Fisher of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association advises prompt veterinary care, especially if a dog has ingested opioids like fentanyl. Owners are urged to observe any unusual behavior in their pets, particularly after outdoor activities, and inform vets promptly if drug ingestion is suspected.
The Society of B.C. Veterinarians reports encountering dogs with multiple drugs in their systems, often from contaminated human waste, especially in urban areas. Signs of drug ingestion in dogs include imbalance, difficulty walking, twitching, vomiting, or urinary incontinence. Vets can utilize human drug tests to identify ingested substances and provide appropriate treatment to reverse their effects.