The top three substances that caused toxicosis were over-the-counter medications (such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen), food (including protein bars, xylitol gums, and grapes or raisins), and prescription medications. Marijuana-based substances, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and cocaine were among the other drugs that caused toxicity.
In 2022, the APCC team received calls regarding 278,364 animals from the U.S., which was almost a 5% increase in call volume compared to 2021. They received almost 11% more calls related to potential marijuana ingestion than in the previous year and have seen a nearly 300% increase in calls over the past five years, according to a recent press release by APCC.
A study published in PLoS One in April 2022 surveyed veterinarians in Canada and the U.S. and discovered that out of 251 toxicosis cases, 226 involved dogs. Of these cases, 116 were suspected to be due to edibles consumed by pets when left unattended. The diagnosis of cannabis toxicosis was primarily based on clinical signs, and outpatient monitoring was the most common treatment option.
