PHOENIX (AZFamily) — As 2024 comes to a close, veterinarians don’t want people to have to spend the holidays with their pets in the hospital.
Ever since recreational marijuana became legal in Arizona, there has been an increase in the number of pets that have needed medical attention for ingesting the drug.
Washington Dog Park in central Phoenix is where David Alfaro and his dog, nicknamed Boy, spend a lot of time.
“At least once a day. Now I’ve been off today, so I took him this morning and back again,” said Alfaro.
But outside the fence of the dog park, Alfaro says he’s heard stories of dogs ingesting deadly drugs like meth and fentanyl.
“I’ve found little plastic bags that are empty,” he says. “A big concern for me because [Boy] loves to sniff everything.”
Pets ingesting marijuana has resulted in thousands of calls to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center nationwide, including hundreds from inside Arizona.
“It’s usually a few a month, but there will be times where it will be a few a week,” said Ingleside Animal Hospital Medical Director Dr. Brian Serbin.
According to the ASPCA, in 2020, the year before the first sale of recreational marijuana in Arizona, the state made 143 calls to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. In 2021, that number jumped to 247 and climbed to 273 in 2022 before slightly dipping to 213 in 2023.
“It can cause problems with slowing down heart rate, lowering blood pressure. If it’s a severe enough intoxication, it could lead to seizures,” explained Serbin.
According to the ASPCA, an animal that has ingested marijuana can show symptoms ranging from depression to urinary incontinence.
“Usually, they’re just going to ride it out, but they need supportive care,” said Serbin.
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As 2024 comes to a close, veterinarians don’t want people to have to spend the holidays with their pets in the hospital. Read More
