Pet Goose Accidentally Ingests Marijuana Joint

Toxicology Experts Receive Thousands of Cannabis-related Calls Each Year

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., April 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- It turns out, Gertie the goose wasn't cooked, she was baked.

In recognition of 4/20, an annual unofficial celebration on April 20 for those who partake in medical or recreational marijuana, the toxicology experts at Pet Poison Helpline reviewed their case files for any unusual cannabis-related calls.

"Although dogs are far more likely to have an accidental marijuana exposure, according to our case data, there was one recent call that gave us goose bumps," joked Dr. Renee Schmid, a senior veterinary toxicologist and director of Veterinary Medicine at Pet Poison Helpline. "Earlier this year we received a call from a woman whose pet goose Gertie had quickly gobbled up a joint that accidentally dropped on the floor. The pet owner called us, and after analyzing the situation, we recommended she take Gertie into the veterinary hospital for monitoring and treatment."

Gertie was taken to their local veterinary hospital, where the medical team performed a crop lavage with saline. A crop is the thin-walled pouch at the base of the esophagus where birds can store food before it is sent the rest of the way to the stomach. Although there is limited data specifically on geese for these types of exposures, the Pet Poison Helpline team used other avian data to develop their recommendations. In dogs and cats poisoned by marijuana, clinical signs can be seen within minutes to hours depending on how the pet was exposed (inhalation versus ingestion).

Classic signs of poisoning include a dazed expression, lethargy, incoordination, slow response times and dribbling urine. Vomiting and drooling are also common. There can also be changes in heart rate, vocalization, neurological stimulation, hyperactivity or coma. Similar neurologic and cardiovascular signs are expected in avians including Gertie.

"Even if you don't use marijuana personally, it can still impact your pets," Dr. Schmid warned. "There are currently only four states in the country that don't allow some form of THC usage, so the chances of your pet encountering THC are very real. A friend or family member could bring some into your home without your knowledge or your pet could come in contact with THC in a public area such as a park. We also had a case where a dog wandered into a neighbor's yard and ate a batch of marijuana brownies." THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the component in cannabis responsible for its psychoactive effects.

As more and more states legalized medical and recreational marijuana, Pet Poison Helpline saw a significant increase in THC-related exposures. In fact, from 2019 to 2023, there was a 430% increase in marijuana-related calls. Marijuana first appeared on the company's Top 10 List of Pet Poisons in 2021 in the eighth position, and it now sits in sixth place on the Top 10 Pet Poisons of 2024.

"As with all medications, pet owners should keep any form of THC-infused products out of reach for both pets and children," Dr. Schmid said. "In addition to there being many more foods, pills, oils and tinctures available, the strains are also becoming stronger. New hybrids and cultivation techniques have resulted in plants with significantly more THC as compared to those in decades past."

Pet Poison Helpline created Toxin Tails to educate the veterinary community and pet lovers on the many types of poisoning dangers facing pets, both in and out of the home. All the pets highlighted in Toxin Tails have been successfully treated for the poisoning and fully recovered.

About Pet Poison Helpline
Pet Poison Helpline®, your trusted source for toxicology and pet health advice in times of potential emergency, is available 24 hours, seven days a week for pet owners and veterinary professionals who require assistance treating a potentially poisoned pet. Per incident and subscription service options are available. We are an independent, nationally recognized animal poison control center triple licensed by the Boards of Veterinary Medicine, Medicine and Pharmacy providing unmatched professional leadership and expertise. Our veterinarians and board-certified toxicologists provide treatment advice for all species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals and exotic species. As the most cost-effective option for animal poison control care, Pet Poison Helpline's fee of $89 per incident includes follow-up consultations for the duration of the case. The company also offers pethelpline^(SM) and pethelplinePRO^(SM) subscription services directly to pet lovers. Based in Minneapolis, Pet Poison Helpline is available in North America by calling 800-213-6680. Additional information can be found online at www.petpoisonhelpline.com.

Contact: Curtis Steinhoff 
Pet Poison Helpline®
(602) 300-8466
[email protected] 

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SOURCE Pet Poison Helpline