More pets getting stoned on marijuana

Be careful where you stash your weed brownies.

The legalization of marijuana in Massachusetts has come with a surge of edible products, giving an alternative to consumers and patients who don’t necessarily want to smoke, vape or take the drug otherwise.

But humans are not the only ones drawn to baked goodies, and veterinarians say there has been a recent spike in the number of emergency room visits by pets who have consumed marijuana products.

“We started seeing it a lot when it was first legalized and even more now,” said Dr. Kiko Bracker, a veterinarian at MSPCA-Angell. “Now, several cases a week will come in.”

MSPCA-Angell is a humane organization with medical offices in Boston, Waltham and Westford. The issue of pets consuming marijuana is relatively common, according to the organization, but incidents historically have not been easy to track.

Before recreational marijuana was legalized in 2016, Bracker said the stigma surrounding the drug made some owners unwilling to admit their pet had consumed marijuana, even though symptoms indicated otherwise.

“Before it was legal it was almost this weird dance around the issue,” Bracker said. “Nobody would really cop to it. Now, people cut to the chase.”

The rise in cases in Massachusetts is also happening in other parts of the country. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recently reported marijuana-related emergency calls in 2018 grew to 1,800 compared to 208 a decade earlier. The Pet Poison Helpline based in Minnesota announced marijuana cases increased 448 percent over the last six years.

“With its legalization in various states across the United States, marijuana is becoming very common in households,” according to the group.

Pets getting high on marijuana have long been a source of humor in pop culture, proven most recently during Jimmy Kimmel Live. The late-night show aired a satirical advertisement ahead of Super Bowl 53 promoting “Air Buds,” a marijuana product for pets showing signs of anxiety, stress and listlessness.

“Air Buds will get your dog back to doing the things he loves most,” a narrator says on the ad.

In reality, however, marijuana ingested by pets can cause concerning symptoms, including prolonged depression, vomiting, unsteadiness, sleepiness and, in more severe cases, low blood pressure, seizure, coma and even death (although rare), according to the ASPCA.

A study published in the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care showed a correlation between the number of marijuana licenses in Colorado and the number of marijuana poisoning cases at the two veterinary hospitals in the state between 2005 and 2010. Two dogs that ingested marijuana baked products during that time died, according to the report.

Bracker said there have been zero marijuana-related deaths during his time at MSPCA-Angell, and says symptoms for animals are relatively similar to humans, but are much more severe because of the disparity in body weight.

“If a 150-pound human eats a cookie, they feel high for six to 12 hours,” Bracker explained. “But if you give that to a 15-pound dog that’s a tenth of the weight, it’s a lot of marijuana, so they’re going to have a different experience.”

Bracker said his hospital is not allowed to recommend or prescribe marijuana, as there’s been no guidance provided by the American Veterinary Medical Association. But there’s ongoing debate about whether there are untapped medical marijuana benefits for pets, similar to the discussion surrounding medical marijuana for humans.

Studies are limited, but some have shown benefits including chronic pain control, seizure control, anti-anxiety and relief of glaucoma pain and dermatological conditions, according to Ethos, which operates veterinary services in Natick, North Andover and Woburn.

Regardless, the organization — like most of the industry — urges caution when it comes to marijuana and pets.

“There are potential health benefits, but little has been proven or even studied for use in animals in the veterinary industry,” according to its website. “Pet owners should be vigilant of possible instances of exposure, and always express their suspicions with their veterinarian if they suspect ingestion.”

Eli Sherman is an investigative and in-depth reporter at Wicked Local and GateHouse Media. Email him at esherman@wickedlocal.com, or follow him on Twitter @Eli_Sherman.