functions controlled by this region of the brain. That is why, when they receive too much THC, dogs suffer from a unique set of symptoms known as “static ataxia.” Symptoms of this condition typically manifest as one or more of the following:
Severe ataxia (incoordination) and
stupor
Drooling
Rocking side to side with a wide
based stance
Glazed over eyes, dilated pupils
Urine dribbling
Falling over
Changes in heart rate or temperature
In severe cases: vomiting, seizures, other neurologic effects
Is THC Toxicity Fatal for Pets?
When a dog presents to the clinic in this manner, most experienced veterinarians are quick to recognize the symptoms. The above signs can vary depending on the dose of THC the dog was exposed to, as well as the animal’s size, age, and any other underlying medical conditions present. Treatment is generally supportive (maintaining hydration, body temperature, etc.), but may require hospitalization and closer monitoring if the signs are severe, lasting from 1-3 days on average. The majority of dogs that suffer from this type of adverse event recover completely with basic supportive care and no long-term side effects.
It is important to note that the severity of clinical signs is dependent on the amount of THC the dog was exposed to. When the above adverse effects are seen, it is due to very high doses of THC, usually via accidental ingestion of human products. THC has a reported wide safety margin in dogs — a dog would have to ingest approximately 3000 mg/kg to reach the suspected minimum lethal oral dose. This dose is 1,000 times the THC dosage where behavioral effects are observed, according to a 2013 article in Topics in Companion Animal Medicine.
To compare, this is analogous to the fact that a single pill of carprofen (a commonly used veterinary anti-inflammatory drug) is effective for relieving your pet’s pain — however, if the pet accidentally ate the entire bottle of pills, it would end up in the ER with signs of toxicity.
Veterinarians rightly focus on the beneficial effects of carprofen, not the potential for adverse signs when an accidental overdose is given. I would argue that we need to approach THC in the same way. If given in a safe, cautious manner, the above situation can be avoided.
Why Would You Want to Use THC For Your Pets?
Given the information above, why and how would we want to use THC in our pets? I would argue that there are situations in which THC, when used judiciously, can be of enormous benefit in our pets. For example, consider the pet with severe pain that is uncontrolled by traditional medications or CBD-only products; the cancer patient suffering from the effects of the disease as well as the side effects of traditional chemotherapy drugs; or the pet with severe inappetence that will not take any food willingly.
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