A Shocking Vet Visit: Dog's $900 Diagnosis Leaves Owner Stunned

The Unexpected Emergency

Panic set in for Ash after she found her dog unable to walk straight and slumping to the side. The emergency vet visit, which cost $900, turned out to be a shocking yet humorous incident related to her dog's unexpected behavior.

The Diagnosis

Ash, who shared this experience on her Threads account (@ashtablunt), was taken aback when the vet revealed that her dog had inadvertently consumed a hefty 500 milligrams of marijuana edibles stored deep within a backpack. Ash explained the edible was "three pockets deep" inside her backpack on a shelf, leaving her baffled as her dog typically never chews or eats anything he shouldn't.

“I had no clue what was happening to him,” she recounted, expressing her confusion over her otherwise well-behaved pet.

Understanding the Issue

Luckily, her fears were allayed by the vet, who assured her that her dog would be fine. They administered lipids intravenously for a few hours to mitigate the effects. This type of situation is not as isolated as one might think—many pet owners have faced similar experiences, often prompting laughs and shared stories of their own “pot dogs” in the comments section of Ash's posts.

The Community Response

Ash's Threads post quickly gained traction, amassing over 11,200 likes, 2,200 comments, and around 1,000 shares. Pet owners rushed in to share their own humorous takes on similar mishaps. One user commented, "My boyfriend's brother's pit bull got into SOMETHING on New Year's. He was fine after 24 hours, but absolutely was lights on, nobody home all night!" Another shared a story of a similar ordeal, recounting how their dog found a leftover doobie and was dubbed a 'stoner' by the vet.

The Rising Concerns

These stories aren't just humorous anecdotes; they reveal a growing trend. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), reported cases of marijuana intoxication in pets have surged, showing a staggering 765% increase in calls about pets ingesting weed from 2019 to 2029. The accessibility of marijuana edibles, which often taste and smell appealing to animals, raises substantial concerns for pet owners.

The ASPCA warns that while marijuana toxicosis is rarely fatal, the real danger lies in edibles that combine THC with ingredients harmful to pets, like chocolate or artificial sweeteners. With adequate care, most dogs recover within a day or two—but the question remains: how can we better safeguard our pets against such incidents?

Moving Forward

For Ash, this experience has been eye-opening. Moving forward, she aims to be more vigilant with her belongings to prevent any further mishaps involving her beloved pup. As responsible pet owners, we must remain proactive, educating ourselves and adjusting our home environments as societal norms about substances like cannabis continue to evolve.

Share Your Pet Stories

Have you had a similar experience with your pet? I encourage you to share your humorous or alarming tales to help raise awareness and foster a community of mindful pet ownership. Send your stories and adorable pet photos to life@newsweek.com for possible inclusion in our Pet of the Week feature.