The federal government has made its intention to legalize marijuana pretty clear. If that does happen, we could be seeing more than just cigarette butts littering the ground and thatB次元官网网址檚 a problem one Colwood resident has had to face first hand.

Maria Klies is heartbroken. After a walk on Sunday, Klies noticed one of her dogs starting to show signs of distress.

B次元官网网址淎t around dinner time I noticed my miniature pinscher had stroke-like systems,B次元官网网址� she said. Her husband had taken their two dogs for a walk at Taylor Beach in Metchosin earlier in the day. B次元官网网址淲e go down there everyday,B次元官网网址� she added.

When her other dog started to present with similar symptoms, she rushed both dogs to a veterinary hospital, knowing it was not normal behaviour.

Both dogs were falling over when trying to walk, lethargic and experiencing some loss of bladder control.

B次元官网网址淚t really scared me,B次元官网网址� Klies said.

She was told her dogs were suffering from marijuana toxicity.

B次元官网网址淚 was quite shocked and disappointed when I got the report from the veterinarian,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just not fair.B次元官网网址� She was also left with a bill for more than $650, even after the doctor gave her a break on some of the expenses.

Klies believes her dogs ate marijuana cigarette butts while walking along Taylor Beach. B次元官网网址淵ou think thereB次元官网网址檚 something else wrong with your dogs and you find out they picked up some butts,B次元官网网址� she said, sounding defeated.

On a walk along Taylor Beach on Tuesday she pointed to the charred logs scattered with cigarette butts B次元官网网址� among other things B次元官网网址� that littered the beach, despite signs prohibiting beach fires. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 almost like an uncontrolled campground.B次元官网网址� She said her dogs are often sniffing around the campfire remains as crumbs and other edibles are often left. Now sheB次元官网网址檚 worried about what they might find.

In a short distance from the road access, she counts the remains of more than 12 fires. While she knows not all beach users leave butts and other garbage behind, sheB次元官网网址檚 worried the situation will continue to escalate.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just becoming really bad, people are careless and littering.B次元官网网址� She noted there are no garbage cans for people to use even if they wanted to. B次元官网网址淚f I can just save one dog,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 just want to warn people.B次元官网网址�

While relieved her dogs have recovered, she still canB次元官网网址檛 believe they had to go through what she calls a senseless ordeal. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just not right,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hey get me out. TheyB次元官网网址檙e just there when you need them. They make me happy, make me laugh. TheyB次元官网网址檙e members of the family.B次元官网网址�

While she said her dogs usually walk beside her, she doesnB次元官网网址檛 always monitor their every move on the beach. B次元官网网址淗e likes to explore. HeB次元官网网址檚 a dog,B次元官网网址� she explained, pointing to her chihuahua cross.

Klies isnB次元官网网址檛 the only West Shore resident whose pets have suffered this way.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e seeing it more commonly than we used to,B次元官网网址� said Eagle Rise Animal Hospital veterinarian Chris Collis. B次元官网网址淒ogs are not one to say B次元官网网址榥oB次元官网网址� to any kind of goodies.B次元官网网址�

Collis said heB次元官网网址檚 never encountered a case involving a cat.

While most of the cases he sees are dogs that have ingested marijuana in baked goods, he said it wasnB次元官网网址檛 a far stretch for them to eat it in butts. Dogs found to have marijuana toxicity are B次元官网网址渃learly impaired,B次元官网网址� he said.

The symptoms are similar to when a human takes a sedative. The animals are wobbly, have a sleepy expression and have slower heart and respiratory rates, he said. B次元官网网址淭hey just look like theyB次元官网网址檙e super tired.B次元官网网址�

Collis noted the distinguishing symptom is B次元官网网址渢hey will stand and often dribble urine.B次元官网网址� While the dog doesnB次元官网网址檛 realize itB次元官网网址檚 lost control of its bladder, Collis said he usually sighs in relief that itB次元官网网址檚 not something more serious. He has never encountered or heard of a dog dying from marijuana toxicity.

Symptoms can present anywhere from five minutes to 12 hours from ingestion B次元官网网址� usually presenting within one to three hours B次元官网网址� and can last for 30 minutes to three days.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com