Marijuana butts a problem for puppies, small dogs

Jaime McLaren was horrified when Wrigley, her four-month-old chocolate lab, fell to the ground in agony after a walk in Vancouver last week.

The dog couldn't stand up, and started having tremors, McLaren told CBC News.

"It was traumatizing," she said. "I immediately burst into tears and thought it was going to be a fatal incident."

She rushed Wrigley to emergency care.

"The vet determined it was marijuana, likely a butt that he'd picked up while on his walk and ingested," she said.

"I don't think people necessarily know of a simple action like throwing a butt on the ground, and the resulting impact that can have."

The vet that treated Wrigley could not be contacted, but Dr, Christine Bradbury, a vet at Burrard Animal Hospital told CBC News that marijuana is a serious health threat to many animals.

"With very small puppies and small dogs it becomes a greater risk because their body weight is so small that if they were to ingest a large amount it could lead to comas, seizures or even death," she said.

Pet insurance company, Trupanion says in 2014, it paid out over $20,000 in confirmed marijuana toxicity cases in Canada and the U.S.

Within Canada, Trupanion says, British Columbia presents the highest number of claims.

Wrigley's visit to the vet cost McLaren$150 for both the exam, and the charcoal induction treatment to detoxify her dog.