In recent years there’s been a significant rise in the number of pet dogs and cats exposed to cocaine in their homes, new research shows – a trend that raises concerns about animal health and safety.
The study was carried out by public health researcher Orrin Ware, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and veterinary toxicologist Renee Schmid, from the Pet Poison Helpline. They analyzed calls made to the international helpline across the years 2019 to 2023.
Data was logged on reports of dogs or cats’ exposure to either cocaine or methamphetamine and the team calculated an annual percent change (APC) – a useful way of identifying an overall trend in figures that may experience fluctuations in the short term.
While there was no significant increase in pets coming into contact with methamphetamine, there was a concerning rise in reports of exposure to cocaine.
For cats, the numbers showed an APC of 52 percent (based on a total of 63 cocaine-related reports), while for dogs the APC was 39 percent (433 reports). An APC of 38 percent for dogs exposed to either cocaine or methamphetamine was also notable.
“Animals are highly sensitive to the stimulatory and sympathomimetic effects of cocaine and methamphetamines.
“Any degree of exposure should be considered concerning, as there is the risk of severe toxicity and death, even with aggressive medical therapyReadmore…
