Pubdate: Thu, 22 Dec 2016
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Katie DeRosa
Page: A1

NALOXONE SAVED PUP FROM DRUG OVERDOSE

Two doses of naloxone saved a six-month-old puppy from an overdose
after it ingested drugs in Mount Douglas Park.

Veterinarian Helen Rae said Chico was brought to the McKenzie
Veterinary Hospital on Friday evening after her owners noticed she was
wobbly and appeared to be under the influence of drugs.

The owners knew the puppy had eaten something while on leash in the
Saanich park but didn't know what.

Rae noticed the dog, a pug cross, couldn't walk straight, seemed
sedated and had constricted pupils.

"We thought it was marijuana at first, because we see so many of those
[cases], but she didn't quite fit the picture," she said.

Rae made the dog vomit and gave her activated charcoal to stop further
absorption of the drug, but Chico's condition continued to
deteriorate.

The vet decided to administer two low doses of naloxone. Naloxone
reverses the effects of opioid drugs such as heroin, fentanyl,
oxycodone and morphine.

"She went from being flat on the table, unable to lift her head, to
lifting her head and responding to voice and stimulation," Rae said.

While pets are often brought to the vet after consuming marijuana, Rae
said this is the second time she has seen a dog overdose from opioids
in her 18-year career.

A public health crisis has been declared because of a rise in deaths
linked to fentanyl, an opioid that is 50 to 100 times more powerful
than heroin.

Rae said she did not do any tests to determine exactly what Chico
might have ingested.

"We do not know that she ate fentanyl," she said.

"There is just as high a chance she ate something else in the same
family of drugs."
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MAP posted-by: Matt