In Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania SPCA is caring for a Poodle named Toodles, after they found the drugged dog and his owner suffering an apparent drug overdose.
According to Philly Voice, PSPCA workers found Toodles and his owner unconscious and unresponsive in Kensington on Monday. Immediately, good Samaritans rushed Toodles to Blue Pearl Emergency Hospital, located in South Philadelphia. There, veterinarians worried that Toodles’ symptoms were also because of an overdose. As a result, the vets gave Toodles Narcan, a drug commonly used to treat overdoses. Thankfully, Toodles immediately responded to the drug.
Later, PSPCA’s hospital team transferred Toodles for IV treatment and monitoring until he made a full recovery. Currently, The PSPCA is investigating how Toodles ingested the drugs. Additionally, they want to know which substance is behind the overdose. The PSPCA is working alongside the Philadelphia Police Department.
Drug overdose serves as a warning for other dog owners
Interestingly, opioid prescribing guidelines for dogs in pain have shifted away from oral opioids towards injectable drugs in veterinary settings. However, it’s still common for dogs to be prescribed oral opioids to treat acute and chronic conditions at home.
Because of the incident, The PSPCA urges pet owners to be careful when giving their pets medication. Additionally, they recommend consulting with your veterinarian about alternative pain management options. For dogs, opioid ingestion causes panting, salivation, nausea, sedation, or hyperactivity. During an overdose, respiratory depression is the main concern to watch out for. Respiratory depression is normally the cause of death in accidental opioid overdoses in humans.
However, even substances that seem harmless can still negatively affect your dog. As cannabis becomes legalized across the country, more dogs are accidentally ingesting THC. While not lethal like opioids, the experience can leave dogs dazed and dog owners worried. Shockingly, service dogs are among the most likely to suffer from accidental drug exposure and overdose.
Despite Toodles’ recovery, the PSPCA described the incident as heartbreaking and emphasized the potential dangers of drug ingestion in pets. Thankfully, a donation page for Toodles has raised more than $1,000 to help cover his medical expenses.
