Labrador rescued from UK’s highest mountain after suspected cannabis consumption
Canine Hiker Saved After Ingesting Cannabis on Britain’s Tallest Peak
Labrador rescued from UK s highest – A five-year-old black Labrador named Tokyo found herself in a life-threatening situation while hiking on Scotland’s Ben Nevis, the nation’s highest summit. The energetic pup had consumed cannabis, which caused her to fall gravely ill and even lose consciousness during the trek. Her owner, Christina Bluhme, shared the dramatic rescue story with CNN on Monday.
The Hike That Took a Dramatic Turn
The adventure began on a Sunday when Bluhme, a professional dog trainer residing in Surrey in southeastern England, set out with her family and pets. Joining her were her seventeen-year-old son Magnus and their two-year-old golden Labrador, Blaze. Tokyo was in her typical spirited mood, happily consuming treats and staying hydrated throughout the journey. As the group neared the summit, which rises to 4,413 feet or 1,345 meters above sea level, Tokyo’s condition deteriorated rapidly. The hikers were approximately one hour away from reaching the top when they noticed the black Labrador struggling. Her hindquarters grew noticeably weak, prompting Bluhme to initially suspect a spinal issue or slipped disc caused by the strenuous climb.
Rescue on the Mountain
Tokyo’s situation worsened as she began drifting in and out of consciousness. Bluhme recalled her panic: “I was standing on that mountain thinking that that was it, I was going to lose her.” Attempting to carry her dog down proved challenging. Tokyo weighed 24 kilograms, or 53 pounds, making the descent difficult, particularly as heavy rain drenched the pair. A fellow hiker recommended contacting emergency services, which quickly dispatched the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team. Fortunately, volunteers were already nearby after responding to another emergency at the summit.
“They put her on a stretcher, I grabbed one side and we got her down the mountain,” said Bluhme.
Medical Treatment and Diagnosis
After being carried down, Bluhme transported Tokyo to Crown Vets in Fort William. The veterinarian immediately identified that her symptoms stemmed from neurotoxicity rather than pain. Blood tests confirmed the diagnosis, and a particularly telling moment occurred when Tokyo’s temperature was taken.
“She had all the symptoms of consuming cannabis and had her blood tested too. What really gave it away was when she had her temperature taken she let out some gas and it smelled completely like cannabis. It was almost like standing beside someone smoking weed,” she explained from her home.
The veterinary staff administered an intravenous infusion and activated charcoal to help absorb the toxins. When Bluhme returned the following day, Tokyo was wagging her tail cheerfully and seemed ready to resume normal activities.
“She was wagging her tail very happily and was ready to go. And the day after you wouldn’t have thought that this had happened to her,” Bluhme noted.
Lessons Learned
The veterinarian suggested Tokyo likely consumed a dropped edible or human waste containing cannabis traces along the trail. Bluhme, who had never encountered such a case before, expressed surprise at the incident. The Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team documented the event on Facebook over the weekend, noting they were called “to assist a collapsed dog.” They confirmed Tokyo had “made a full recovery” and suspected the typically active working dog had ingested something that made her critically unwell.
“I learned a lesson in terms of dogs scavenging,” Bluhme reflected. “I’ve never put too much importance on it… they love sniffing and foraging. But I’m definitely going to be a little bit more careful about what they put their nose into in future.”
Since sharing her experience, Bluhme has received numerous messages from fellow animal owners reporting similar incidents with their dogs. The experience has certainly made her more vigilant about Tokyo’s foraging habits on future outdoor adventures.
