A poodle in Pennsylvania called Toodles was successfully revived with Narcan after an apparent accidental drug overdose, local animal welfare experts said.
The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said they received a call last week from Blue Pearl Emergency Animal Hospital in Philadelphia saying a dog was brought to them showing symptoms of an overdose.
“Based upon the concern for the dog having ingested drugs either accidentally or otherwise, veterinarians at Blue Pearl administered Narcan and thankfully the dog immediately became responsive,” the group said in a statement on its Facebook page.
“It is unimaginable what would have happened if Toodles hadn’t been taken to a veterinarian. But, thanks to the quick work of the Good Samaritans, and the lifesaving work of Blue Pearl, Toodles is alive today.”
Toodles had been found with his unresponsive owner who was also treated for a suspected drug overdose.
Narcan is the best known form of naloxone – the first opioid treatment drug to be sold over counters in the US. It has been widely hailed as a lifesaving treatment in a country suffering from a devastating epidemic of opioid abuse. It can dramatically and quickly reverse overdoses of street drugs such as heroin and fentanyl and prescription versions including oxycodone.
For Toodles it saved his life.
“Over the course of the last several days, Toodles has miraculously made a full recovery. And, he is just about the sweetest pup around. Everyone loves him. But our hearts still break for all that he has been through,” the PSPCA said.
“Toodles could have died. He could have had lasting impacts from the drugs that he ingested. But, today he is safe, and he has a new future ahead of him.”
