A Labrador started shaking and could no longer walk on Britain’s highest mountain; rescuers later discovered what she had eaten
A hike up Britain’s highest mountain turns into a rescue mission when a black Labrador suddenly becomes seriously ill and collapses on the road. The dog’s owner later learned the five-year-old Labrador had likely eaten discarded marijuana during the climb.Tokyo, a working Labrador, suddenly lost her legs on July 5 while hiking in Ben Nevis, Scotland, with her owner, professional dog trainer Christina Bluhme, her 17-year-old son Magnus, and another dog.She was rescued by Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and later made a full recovery after receiving treatment at a nearby veterinary clinic.
How Tokyo Collapsed
Bloom said Tokyo was completely normal for much of the hike. The dog was eating, drinking and walking comfortably as the team climbed Ben Nevis, 1,345 meters above sea level. However, about an hour before reaching the summit, the Tokyo began to shake and its hind legs became weak.“Initially, I thought maybe her spine or a disc had slipped from climbing, but then she started losing consciousness in and out,” CNN quoted Bloom as saying. “I stood on that hill and thought this is it, I’m going to lose her,” she added.The weather worsened with rain and low temperatures, and Bluhme realized she couldn’t make it down the mountain alone with her 25kg Labrador.
rescue
One hiker suggested calling emergency services. Fortunately, volunteers from the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, who had just finished rescuing another casualty near the summit, were nearby.Rescuers placed Toki on a stretcher and about an hour later carried her down the steep mountain path before taking her to the Royal Veterinary Clinic in Fort William.According to the BBC, Bloom praised the rescue team, saying: “Without the incredible Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, I would never have been able to get her down safely.”She added: “Their kindness, professionalism and calm support meant everything during one of the scariest days I have ever experienced.”
A Labrador retriever recovers at the Royal Veterinary Center in Fort William, Scotland (AP Photo)
suspected poisoning
Veterinarians initially considered whether Tokyo had suffered spinal damage. However, after examining her symptoms, a senior veterinarian suspected she had been exposed to a neurotoxin.After consulting with the poison control center, the veterinarian concluded Tokyo’s symptoms were consistent with marijuana intoxication. According to Bloom, veterinarians believe the Labrador likely ate discarded marijuana or food left along the way.Tokyo was treated with activated charcoal and intravenous fluids. She recovered overnight and was back to her normal self the next day. “The next day, it was like nothing happened,” Bloom said, according to the Associated Press. “She recovered very quickly,” she added.Bloom also said the incident shocked her because she never imagined her dog would encounter drugs on a mountain trail. “I really thought I was going to lose her,” she said, according to the BBC. She also urged other pet owners to be vigilant during walks.
