HOW TO ESTABLISH THC DIAGNOSIS IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM
Dogs presenting to emergency departments with recent THC exposure demonstrate clinical signs that overlap with numerous, more grievous neurologic disorders. Despite this, an accurate point of care diagnostic test designed for canine THC exposure has yet to be designed. Historically, many emergency clinicians have relied upon the urine drug screening tests designed for human THC exposure despite a divergence in drug metabolism between these two species.
To date, no prospective assessment has been performed to determine the accuracy of human urine drug screening tests in canine THC toxicosis. Further, there are no veterinary studies comparing the detection of THC in urine and plasma samples. Here we will discuss THC metabolism in dogs, the common clinical presentation and progression of THC toxicosis, and the work we have done to determine the ideal sample for detection of acute THC exposure in clinical canine patients.
Original publication date: September 14, 2021
Speaker: Joel Green Weltman, DVM, DACVECC, PhD
Learn more about Dr. Weltman’s CHF-funded research:
02692-A: Diagnostic Accuracy of Point of Care Analysis of Canine Urine and Plasma in Marijuana Toxicosis
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