A 5-year-old black Labrador retriever named Tokyo required rescue from Ben Nevis, the United Kingdom's tallest mountain, after apparently ingesting cannabis on a trail.
Christina Bluhme, Tokyo's owner and a canine trainer with 25 years of experience, was hiking with her son and two dogs on July 5 when Tokyo began to exhibit alarming symptoms. The dog started swaying as if drunk and subsequently lost the ability to walk, prompting Bluhme to describe the experience as a "very bad trip."
The incident occurred over three hours into their climb, near the summit, as weather conditions deteriorated with rain and a significant drop in temperature. Bluhme, realizing the severity of Tokyo's condition, decided to abandon their ascent.
After her son contacted authorities, the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, who were descending after assisting another hiker, came to their aid. The volunteer crew placed the 55-pound dog into a stretcher and rapidly carried her down the challenging terrain, reaching the trailhead in approximately one hour.
Upon arrival at Crown Vets in Fort William, veterinarians initially suspected a spinal issue. However, a senior vet concluded that Tokyo had been exposed to a neurotoxin due to her fluctuating consciousness. Subsequent consultation with a poison control center indicated that her symptoms were consistent with cannabis intoxication.
Tokyo was administered activated charcoal and made a full recovery overnight. Bluhme expressed relief and stated that the approximately $1,335 (£1,000) vet bill was a worthwhile expense, noting that the dog appeared completely normal the following day.
Cases of cannabis toxicity in pets are reportedly on the rise in the UK, and the problem is more significant in the United States where marijuana is legalized in many states. In 2023, marijuana and other drugs were added to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' top 10 list of toxins for pets. The ASPCA reported a 10% increase in calls related to potential marijuana ingestion compared to the previous year, marking a nearly threefold increase over the past five years.