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This study covers research on: Addiction.

Veterinary emergency case of heroin packet ingestion in dogs

Q: Where was this research published?

Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001) on May 7, 2026.

The Diagnosis, Attempted Endoscopic Retrieval, and Surgical Treatment of Multiple Heroin Packages in the Stomach of a Dog: A Case Report.

Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001) • May 7, 2026 • Case Study • Moderately Relevant

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AI Summary

This veterinary case report documents an unusual incident involving a dog that ingested multiple packets of heroin, resulting in repeated drug toxicity episodes. The 3-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier presented with signs of opioid overdose including cyanosis and unresponsiveness after potential exposure to marijuana, cocaine, oxycodone, and heroin. The dog was treated with naloxone, an opioid antagonist, and initially improved, but returned two days later with recurrent sedation due to ongoing absorption from retained drug packets in the stomach.

Imaging confirmed the presence of foreign material, and when endoscopic retrieval proved unsuccessful, the dog underwent surgical removal that recovered eight packets containing a white substance. The surgical intervention was critical because of the risk of packet rupture, which could have caused acute, severe toxicity. The dog made a full recovery following surgery, highlighting the importance of recognizing that recurrent clinical signs in animals with known drug ingestion may indicate exposure from retained foreign material rather than new exposure.

While this case involves heroin rather than cannabis, it provides important insights for veterinary medicine and pet owners. The report underscores the medical risks posed by illicit drug exposure in household pets and demonstrates why prompt imaging and intervention are necessary when animals show signs of toxicity. The case also illustrates how opioid antagonists like naloxone can temporarily reverse overdose symptoms but may not address the underlying source of toxicity if drug packets remain in the gastrointestinal tract.

📄 Original Abstract

To describe the clinical signs, treatment, and outcome in a dog after ingestion of heroin packets and repeated exposure. A 3-year-old intact female American Pit Bull Terrier was referred for management of suspected drug intoxication after possible exposures to marijuana, cocaine, oxycodone, and heroin. The dog was initially treated with naloxone (0.02 mg/kg, IM) after presenting to the primary care veterinarian with cyanosis and unresponsiveness. The dog showed improvement, was then transferred to the authors' hospital, and was discharged the next day. Two days after ingestion, the dog returned for potential re-exposure and was again treated with naloxone (0.02 mg/kg, IV), with improvement of signs. Due to financial constraints, the owner elected outpatient care. Later that same day, the owner reported that the dog had become sedate, and, out of concerns for ongoing exposure from the consumed heroin packets, abdominal imaging was performed, which confirmed the presence of foreign material in the dog's stomach. Endoscopic retrieval was attempted but was unsuccessful. Given the concern for packet rupture, the dog underwent surgery, during which eight packets containing a white substance were removed. The dog made a full recovery. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report to describe the ingestion of multiple packets of heroin with attempted endoscopic and ultimate surgical retrieval in a dog. In human medicine, the management of ingested narcotic packets is widely reported due to the prevalence of intentional swallowing of bundles of illicit drugs; however, this has not been described in veterinary medicine. The current report suggests that in dogs with known narcotic ingestion, recurrent clinical signs should prompt clinicians to consider repeated exposure from retained drug packets.