Across the United States, local jurisdictions are revisiting historic prohibitions on the sale, possession and consumption of marijuana and other products containing Δ9-tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC), the primary psychoactive component of the marijuana plant. Alongside this, recent reports have shown an increase in the prevalence of THC toxicosis in dogs.

Dogs presenting to emergency departments with recent THC exposure demonstrate clinical signs that overlap with numerous, more grievous neurologic disorders. Despite this, an accurate point of care diagnostic test designed for canine THC exposure has yet to be designed. Historically, many emergency clinicians have relied upon the urine drug screening tests designed for human THC exposure despite a divergence in drug metabolism between these two species. To date, no prospective assessment has been performed to determine the accuracy of human urine drug screening tests in canine THC toxicosis. Further, there are no veterinary studies comparing the detection of THC in urine and plasma samples.

Here we discuss THC metabolism in dogs, the common clinical presentation and progression of THC toxicosis, the work that has been done to determine the ideal sample for detection of acute THC exposure in clinical canine patients, as well as typical management strategies for dogs with THC exposure.

Running time: 24 mins
This presentation is no longer eligible for CE credit

You might also like

Canine Atopic Dermatitis - Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, And Treatment Of Mild Disease

08/12/2025

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is one of the most frustrating and complex skin conditions encountere...

Read More

The Skinny On Pyoderma - The Most Common Bacterial Infection Of The Skin

08/05/2025

Pyoderma (bacterial skin infection) is one of the most common dermatologic conditions seen in compan...

Read More

Supporting The Cancer Patient: Managing Cancer Pain, Nutritional Needs Of Patients, And Supporting The Caregiver Through It All

12/04/2024

Aside from the plan prescribed to treat a pet’s cancer, we have to ensure that we are addressi...

Read More

Osteosarcoma - Curative, Pallative, And Emerging Therapies

11/13/2024

Osteosarcoma is a malignant and aggressive cancer of bone. In years past, therapy was considered lim...

Read More

Treating Cancer - It's Not Just Limited To "chemo" Or "radiation"

11/06/2024

There are different approaches to cancer treatment and, for some types of cancer, the therapy may be...

Read More

Nontraumatic Hemoabdomen And Premature Death In Dogs With Benign Histopathologic Findings

03/29/2022

Hemoabdomen (hemoperitoneum) in dogs can develop in association with abdominal trauma, splenic disea...

Read More