Pet Goose Accidentally Ingests Marijuana Joint

Toxicology Experts Receive Thousands of Cannabis-related Calls Each Year

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., April 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — It turns out, Gertie the goose wasn’t cooked, she was baked.

This is what the toxicology experts at Pet Poison Helpline imagine a goose might look like after overindulging on 4/20.

In recognition of 4/20, an annual unofficial celebration on April 20 for those who partake in medical or recreational marijuana, the toxicology experts at Pet Poison Helpline reviewed their case files for any unusual cannabis-related calls.

“Although dogs are far more likely to have an accidental marijuana exposure, according to our case data, there was one recent call that gave us goose bumps,” joked Dr. Renee Schmid, a senior veterinary toxicologist and director of Veterinary Medicine at Pet Poison Helpline. “Earlier this year we received a call from a woman whose pet goose Gertie had quickly gobbled up a joint that accidentally dropped on the floor. The pet owner called us, and after analyzing the situation, we recommended she take Gertie into the veterinary hospital for monitoring and treatment.”

Gertie was taken to their local veterinary hospital, where the medical team performed a crop lavage with saline. A crop is the thin-walled pouch at the base of the esophagus where birds can store food before it is sent the rest of the way to the stomach. Although there is limited data specifically on geese for these types of exposures, the Pet Poison Helpline team used other avian data to develop their recommendations. In dogs and cats poisoned by marijuana, clinical signs can be seen within minutes to hours depending on how the pet was exposed (inhalation versus ingestion).

Classic signs of poisoning include a dazed expression, lethargy, incoordination, slow response times and dribbling urine. Vomiting and drooling are also common. There can also be changes in heart rate, vocalization, neurological stimulation, hyperactivity or coma. Similar neurologic and cardiovascular signs are expected in avians including Gertie.

“Even if you don’t use marijuana personally, it can still impact your pets,” Dr. Schmid warned. “There are currently only four states in the country that don’t allow some form of THC usage, so the chances of your pet encountering THC are very real. A friend or family member could bring some into your home without your knowledge or your pet could come in contact with THC in a public area such as a park. We also had a case where a dog wandered into a neighbor’s yard and ate a batch of marijuana brownies.” THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the component in cannabis responsible for its psychoactive effects.