about 20 hours to 10 days.
Systems most commonly affected include:Nervous system – depression, ataxia or other abnormal behavior. Signs of CNS stimulation sometimes occur in dogs and may possibly occur in horses.GI – signs of colic may occur.
Synthetic cannabinoids.
Substances with CNS depressant effects (opioids, benzodiazepines or others).
Amphetamines or other substances with CNS stimulant effects.
Careful questioning of the client may reveal exposure to marijuana.
Inspection of pastures or feed material may reveal an exposure source.
THC is detectable by LC‐MS.
In humans, metabolites of THC may be detectable in urine for approximately 3–15 days after using marijuana.
Treatment objectives are to provide supportive care for affected animals and prevent absorption of marijuana. Removing the source of the marijuana is also important.
Detoxification
The main goal of therapy would be to remove the marijuana source from the environment.
Gastric lavage for any horse that has recently ingested a large quantity of marijuana.
Activated charcoal.
Appropriate Health Care
Monitor for CNS signs.
Most common sign is depression which generally is not treated.
Sedation may be required if hazardous behavior occurs due to CNS stimulation.
Antidotes
None.
Drugs of Choice
IV fluids for depressed and/or dehydrated horses.
Di‐Tri‐Octahedral (DTO) smectite (Bio‐Sponge®)
Sedation if needed for animals with CNS stimulation:Xylazine 1.1 mg/kg IV or 2.2 mg/kg IM prn.Detomidine 0.02–0.04 mg/kg IV or IM prn.
Precautions/Interactions
Marijuana compounds can interact with other medications although specifics in horses are not known.
Surgical Considerations
Not known specifically but if the horse is exhibiting neurologic effects, especially depression, it may be wise to delay procedures requiring anesthesia.
Client Education
Clients should be educated on the need to remove marijuana from the horse’s environment.
A specific withdrawal time for marijuana is not known in horses and so clients should be made aware that marijuana may be detected in drug testing of horses used for racing or showing.
Prevention/Avoidance
Eliminate marijuana from the environment.
Expected Course and Prognosis
Marijuana toxicity is rarely fatal in animals.
Time to recovery will depend on type of exposure (ingested or inhaled) as well as quantity and potency of toxin.
Marijuana may possibly be detected in drug tests on horses used for racing or showing after clinical signs have resolved.
See Also
Synthetic Cannabinoids
Abbreviations
See Appendix 1 for a complete list.
Suggested Reading
1 Donaldson CW. Marijuana exposure in animals. Vet Med 2002; 97:437–441.
2 Hovda L, Brutlag A, Poppenga R, Peterson K. Small Animal Toxicology, 2nd edn. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2016.
3 Stillabower, A. Marijuana Toxicity in Pets. Available at: https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet‐safety‐tips/marijuana‐toxicity‐pets/ (accessed April 3, 2021).
4 Ujvary I, Hanus L. Human metabolites of cannabidiol: A review on their formation, biological activity, and relevance in therapy. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2016; 1: 90–101.
Author: Christy Klatt, DVM
Consulting Editor: Dionne Benson, DVM, JD
Chapter 11 Methamphetamine/ Amphetamine
There is no label indication for these compounds in veterinary medicine and exposure is most commonly due to inadvertent exposure.
Neuroexcitation, agitation, tachycardia, hypertension, and tachypnea are the most common clinical signs noted in the case of toxicity.
