A five-year-old black Labrador was dramatically rescued from the slopes of the UK’s highest mountain after becoming critically ill during a hike, with vets later suspecting she had ingested cannabis along the trail, according to CNN reports
Black Labrador image used for illustrative purposes/Chris Mills/Unsplash
Tokyo and her owner, professional dog trainer Christina Bluhme, were hiking up Ben Nevis in Scotland with Bluhme’s 17-year-old son, Magnus, and their younger Labrador, Blaze, when the frightening incident unfolded.
The group had been making steady progress up the 1,345-metre mountain when Tokyo suddenly began struggling.
A routine hike takes a frightening turn
According to Bluhme, Tokyo had been energetic throughout the hike, happily accepting treats and drinking water. However, about an hour before reaching the summit, the Labrador started showing signs of weakness in her hind legs.
Initially, Bluhme feared her dog had suffered a spinal injury from the demanding climb. But the situation quickly worsened as Tokyo began drifting in and out of consciousness.
Concerned that her pet might not survive, Bluhme attempted to carry the 24kg Labrador down the mountain herself despite heavy rain. The challenging terrain soon made that impossible.
A fellow hiker suggested contacting emergency services, prompting a call to the local mountain rescue team.
Mountain rescuers come to Tokyo’s aid
Fortunately, volunteers from the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team had just completed another rescue near the summit and were able to respond quickly.
The team placed Tokyo on a stretcher and carried her safely down the mountain before Bluhme rushed her to a veterinary clinic in nearby Fort William.
In a Facebook update, the rescue team later confirmed they had responded to “a collapsed dog” and said Tokyo, who is normally a fit and active working Labrador, had since made a full recovery.
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Vets suspect cannabis caused the illness
Veterinary staff reportedly recognised that Tokyo’s symptoms pointed to neurotoxicity rather than an injury.
After assessing her condition, they suspected the Labrador had ingested cannabis, possibly from a discarded edible left on the hiking trail or from contaminated human waste.
Tokyo was treated with intravenous fluids and activated charcoal, which helps absorb toxins in the digestive system.
By the following day, she had recovered well and was reportedly back to her cheerful self, wagging her tail and ready to head home.
A reminder for hikers with dogs
The incident has prompted Bluhme to encourage fellow dog owners to be extra vigilant while hiking.
She said she had never previously considered the possibility of dogs consuming cannabis on walking trails but now plans to pay closer attention to what her dogs sniff or forage for during outdoor adventures.
While accidental cannabis poisoning in dogs is uncommon, veterinarians advise owners to seek immediate medical attention if a pet shows symptoms such as lethargy, loss of coordination, tremors or altered consciousness after a walk.
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