Austin man takes golden retriever out for a walk. Then the dog starts behaving strangely. A $650 vet fee later, they’re issuing a PSA
What could go wrong on a simple dog walk? The answer, surprisingly, is “a lot.”
While most experts agree that walking your dog is healthy for both you and your pup, there’s a surprising number of things that can happen during this simple exercise. For example, the CDC notes that there are a substantial number of nonfatal falls that occur from dogs pulling their owners too fast. Dog owners also report a considerable number of hand and wrist injuries from their pets yanking them unexpectedly.
Dangers aren’t limited to owners, either. Walking your dog in extreme heat can be deadly, and during your walk, your dog may encounter other animals or environmental hazards that can do them harm.
These aren’t reasons not to walk your animal, of course. Instead, these are just reminders to be mindful and prepared in case anything goes wrong.
One pet owner recently shared a story about their dog discovering something mysterious while on a walk—and ending up in the emergency room with a curious ailment.
What Went Wrong During This Dog Walk?
In a video with over 9.7 million views, TikTok user Jennifer Navratil (@lilredjen16) says her husband recently took the couple’s golden retriever on a walk. When he got back, the dog started acting strangely.
“She started to [lose] feeling in her back legs,” Navratil starts.
The TikToker then lists additional symptoms. For example, the dog would “get stuck in one spot and just stand there frozen.” The dog also would not lie down, and her body began to tremble. Eventually, she began dry heaving and drooling—signs that it was time to take the animal to the emergency vet.
Consequently, the couple took the animal to the emergency vet. The resultant visit took four hours and cost the couple $650.
The diagnosis? The dog was high.
According to the vet, “She ingested a significant amount of marijuana on her walk,” the TikToker writes. “She wasn’t sick. She was just stoned.”
In the video’s caption, the user writes, “PSA for dog owners in Austin, TX. Apparently this is a common issue here.”
Is This A Common Problem?
Marijuana is toxic to dogs. That said, if your dog accidentally ingests marijuana, don’t freak out—PetMD notes that marijuana poisoning is rarely fatal for dogs, and with proper medical care, a dog is expected to fully recover in just a few days.
As for whether this is a common issue, the answer is “yes.” Not only that, but it appears it’s becoming more common as marijuana and THC-infused products become more popular.
One study from 2022 noted that cannabis legalization correlated with a rise in reports of marijuana poisoning in pets, specifically dogs. The Pet Poison Hotline also says that they experienced a 448% increase in marijuana cases over the past six years. In most cases, it is believed that the animal accidentally ate an edible while unattended.
While rare, pet death from cannabis poisoning or other side effects related to the ingestion of cannabis does occur. This is why, if you suspect that your pet has consumed cannabis, it’s best to take them to the vet. Although they may simply have you “wait it out,” they will also be able to monitor other issues that can occur as a result of cannabis ingestion, such as fluid loss, and assist your pet accordingly.
In Navratil’s case, the TikToker revealed in a follow-up video that their dog has made a full recovery.
Commenters Find It Funny
In the comments section, users made jokes about the situation.
“As a vet tech, the moment she was on the couch and wobbling I went ‘oh she tripping,’” wrote a user.
“My dog did the same thing. His name is potato and the vets office now calls him Baked Potato lol,” offered another.
Others simply warned viewers to be careful.
“Both of my dogs had these symptoms. Couldn’t figure it out because there was no way it was the mary jane. Turns out black walnuts cause this too and we have a tree in the yard,” shared a commenter.
“Just a PSA, even though the vet is costly, don’t overlook symptoms like these. My dog had the same symptoms but it was vertigo, which should be treated immediately!” exclaimed an additional TikToker.
@lilredjen16 PSA for dog owners in Austin, TX. Apparently this is a common issue here ? #goldenretrieverpuppy #austintx #dogs ♬ Angel – Sarah McLachlan
The Mary Sue reached out to Navratil via email.
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