Illicit Drugs

Illicit Drugs, such as heroin and cocaine are dangerous drugs that should not be used in animals. These, along with other opiates, amphetamines, and opioids, can cause severe toxicity when administered to pets. Because these drugs can cause death to your pet, transparency with your veterinary is important.

Signs and symptoms of toxicity: depression and fatigue (dogs), excitation and aggressiveness (cats), involuntary muscle movements, seizures, increased production of saliva, vomiting, defecation (dogs), constipation (cats), changes in urination (dramatic increase or decrease), decreased heart rate, increased panting and dramatic changes in pupil size.

Toxic consumption:
An injection of heroin of 25 mg/kg is considered lethal in dogs. In cats, 20 mg/kg of an oral dose is considered lethal. The lethal dose of cocaine in dogs is roughly 6-12 mg/kg.

Dogs: Opioids and Opiates Lethal Consumption
	X-Small Yorkie, Chihuahua	Small Pug, Boston Terrier, Poodle	Medium Beagle, Scottish Terrier	Large Boxer, Cocker Spaniel	X-Large Retriever, German Shepherd	XX-Large Great Dane, St. Bernard
	1 – 10 lbs. (0.45 – 4.6 kg)	11 – 25 lbs. (5 – 11.4 kg)	26 – 40 lbs. (11.8 – 18.2 kg)	41 – 70 lbs. (18.6 – 31.8 kg)	71 – 90 lbs. (32.3 – 40.9 kg)	91 – 110 lbs. (41.4 – 50 kg)
Heroin (SQ)	> 11 mg	> 124 mg	> 294 mg	> 464 mg	> 807 mg	> 1034 mg

Cats: Opioids and Opiates Lethal Consumption
	Most Cats	Large Cats
	1 – 10 lbs. (0.45 – 4.6 kg)	11 – 25 lbs. (5 – 11.4 kg)
Heroin (oral)	> 8 mg	> 99 mg

References:
– Malouin A, Boiler M. Sedatives, muscle relaxants, and opiods toxicity. In: Silverstein DC, Hopper K, eds. Small Animal Critical Care Medicine. St. Louis: Elsevier, 2009; pp.350-356.
– Osweiler, G, et al. (2011). Blackwell’s five-minute veterinary consult clinical companion. Small Animal Toxicology. [Kindle version]. Retrieved from Amazon.com
– image: http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/imglib/Drugprofiles/350Heroin.jpg