Photo by Dylan Dondo / Getty Images
A Maple Ridge, BC, veterinarian saved the life of a mysteriously ill raccoon by giving them a drug that reverses opiate overdoses, potentially showing that improper medication disposal can have wide-ranging impacts.
As reported by Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News, Dr. Adrian Walton received the raccoon from a resident who found them in her yard, lifeless. Key signs of common poisons were ruled out, and Walton says the raccoon’s heart rate was extremely low. The symptoms were similar to those of an overdose, prompting Dr. Walton to administer Naloxone.
Moments after receiving the Naxolone, the raccoon woke up – and was reportedly unimpressed to find themselves in a veterinary office. Fortunately, the raccoon found their way safely into a cage and is on the road to a full recovery. Other raccoons who were near where the drugged individual was found also had symptoms of being drugged but recovered without intervention.
Dr. Walton told the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News that “the raccoons may have gotten into illicit drugs that were left out, or perhaps found prescription opioids that had been thrown in the trash.”
While acknowledging the heroic efforts of the individual who found the raccoons, Dr. Walton reminds residents that no one should try to handle raccoons – and The Fur-Bearers agrees. Anyone who finds an animal they believe to be injured or in distress should immediately contact their local animal control or nearest wildlife rehabilitator for assistance.
This incident serves as a reminder that improper storage or disposal of prescription drugs can have far reaching consequences. Here are a few tips to help prevent such incidents:
- Keep prescriptions in a secure, indoor location.
- Never flush prescriptions or throw them away with regular waste.
- Take unused or expired drugs to your pharmacy or a designated drop-off site for safe disposal and prevent them from entering the ecosystem.
- Never feed wildlife.
- Never attempt to administer Naxolone to an animal (wild or domestic) without first consulting a veterinarian.
- Keep the contact information for your local animal control, wildlife rehabilitator, and veterinary clinics easily accessible in case of emergencies.
The Fur-Bearers also supports residents learning about the safe use of Naxolone – for human cases. This fast-acting medication can save lives in our communities. Click here to learn more.
