ROCHESTER, NY -- Rochester-area veterinarians are reporting a sharp rise in cannabis poisonings among dogs that are eating products containing the drug, usually in the form of edibles.
"Five or 10 years ago, we might see one or two dogs that ingested marijuana or THC a week," said Dr. Simon Kirk. "Now, we would see, easily, three or four cases a week; sometimes three or four cases in a day."
Kirk, who is the medical director at Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Services in Brighton, isn't surprised at the surge of these cases since New York state legalized cannabis for medical use in 2016 and for recreational use in 2021.
"Like any medication or substance, once it becomes more available, then it's more available to pets, and dogs like to chew on things," he said.
