A dog named Blue has no reason to be blue after surviving an accidental drug binge. The 17-month-old whippet has recovered and is in good health since recently scarfing down a bag of ecstasy tablets while on a walk with his elderly owner.
The owner, who wished to remain anonymous, wasn't sure what his dog had eaten after the animal got into a bag of blue, heart-shaped pills and began eating the contents.
But, afraid another pet or a child would get into it, the owner took the blue, heart-shaped tablets home, according to a news release from People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), a group that provides free veterinary services for pet owners in need in the U.K.
Later, when he noticed the dog was having trouble with balance and was foaming at the mouth, he immediately contacted the dispensary. Heeding their advice, he brought his sick pet to the organization's pet hospital soon after.
“When Blue arrived, his condition was critical. He’d collapsed and the toxins were causing organ failure. He was admitted and life-saving treatment was started straight away. He was put on an IV drip and received activated charcoal to absorb the toxins. Without the treatment, he would not have survived the night," PSDA Head Nurse Miram Wilson said in the release on Wednesday.
The facility monitored the dog overnight. Police collected the drugs and disposed of them safely.
Blue recovered fully from the incident, but his story serves as a warning to pet owners. If an animal eats something it shouldn't, the owner should contact a vet right away.
“There are lots of hidden dangers around the home and garden, as well as out in the wider world, that our pets may sniff out. If you think they have swallowed something then get it checked at once," Wilson said.
Additionally, dog owners should be always be mindful of their animals' behavior to prevent these situations.
“It’s critically important that pets be kept away from all medications and foods not intended for them," KC Theisen, Director of Pet Care Issues at The Humane Society of the United States told the Huffington Post. "As this story highlights, even walking down the street exposes our dogs to unknown threats to their health, so keeping dogs on leash and supervising them closely is something we can all do to protect our pets."
If your pet swallows something harmful, review the American Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals's Poison Control FAQ, or contact their hotline at (888) 426-4435.
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