Puppy Started Acting Strange After Walk—Vet's Diagnosis Leaves Owner Horrified
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Pet owners have been left horrified after their puppy began acting strange after a walk, only for his owner to be told he had likely ingested opiates.
Daniela, 34, lives in Cincinnati with her 10-month-old Maltipoo, Louis, who, like many dogs of that age, his owner describes as "a vacuum and will eat anything."
And while it is possible to puppy-proof your home, and keep a close watch on them to ensure they don't get at anything they are not supposed to, while out in public, it can be much more difficult.
Daniela told Newsweek that she and Louis had just returned from a walk when the puppy began acting strange—he was unsteady on his feet, "stumbling, and falling over," she wrote in a post to Reddit's r/DogAdvice.
Posting a video of Louis from her account u/sillygoose1415 showing him swaying on the spot, Daniela said she soon had an appointment with the vet, but asked internet users for advice as she was so worried.
"We had a regular morning (walk, breakfast, play). He started becoming uneasy on his feet, swaying back and forth, and has stumbled/fallen a few times," Daniela wrote. "He is 'out of it'—zoning out, staring at nothing, and has very little energy.
Daniela said: "We live in a downtown metro area. The only thing I can think of was that he could have eaten something he shouldn't have on our morning walk (a cigarette or joint butt, street food, another animal's waste). I've recently seen empty/discarded Narcan in the park in front of our apartment. He is notorious for trying to eat stuff he sees on the street."
Reddit users, giving the post close to 4,000 upvotes, were quick to share theories, with some suggesting Louis could have eaten cannabis outside, and another wondering if Louis could be having an epileptic seizure. Others offered no theories, but instead sent well wishes to the owner and her dog ahead of the vet visit.
Daniela told Newsweek she noticed Louis acting strange "about 30 to 60 minutes after our morning walk," and at the veterinarian, received devastating news: Louis had likely ingested opiates. "The vet did a urine test on him, [and] mentioned it's the same strip tests they use for humans.
"I don't have opiates in the home, the only place he could have ingested anything was at the park in front of our home. We went straight out for a pee and then straight back home."
In a comment, Daniela said Louis had vomited and urinated on himself, his eyes were like pinpricks, and his temperature was low. The vet administered Narcan—a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses—gave him IV fluids, and kept him for several hours to keep an eye on him.
Daniela's dog swaying and unsteady after returning from their walk.
Daniela's dog swaying and unsteady after returning from their walk.
Reddit u/sillygoose1415
Narcan is a brand name for medication naloxone, which can reverse the effects of a narcotic overdose, including heroin and other opioids, and prescription pills. A nasal spray version also exists, which requires no special training to administer, according to WebMD.
Opiates in dogs causes sedation and weakness, shallow breath, low heart rate and loss of consciousness, according to Ohio State University clinical professor and veterinarian Edward Cooper. Narcan should be given to a dog if it has collapsed, lost consciousness or has shallow breathing, or immediately if it is confirmed the dog has ingested opiates. The use of Narcan can reverse opioid effects in dogs within minutes, but the animal should be kept under close watch for several hours.
In an update posted the following day, Daniela shared that Louis had perked up following the Narcan—while she herself had gone to the park and found multiple "needles and other drug paraphernalia," with her vet saying this was an "increasing problem for local pets."
Daniela said: "The area has been overrun recently with anti-social behavior. Our car was broken into last night, along with about 20 other cars in the local parking garage for our apartment. The local Chinese restaurant and the local corner shop have also been burgled. The police have told me that the good weather brings out crime."
In Louis' case, Daniela said in her update post that he was now "home resting," but still appeared "loopy," and would have a follow-up appointment with the vet.
"Please watch all your doggos in public parks this summer," she said. "We are gobsmacked this happened to our little guy."
She added that, for now, she had ordered Louis a "soft muzzle for walks, until he learns the command 'drop' and 'leave it'."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNET
2 hours ago
- CNET
The Right Way to Wash a Heated Blanket Safely
Nothing matches the feeling of crawling into a warm bed after a long, tiring day, especially if you have an electric heated blanket. These not only provide targeted warmth but are also cost-effective, eliminating the need to heat the entire room. Despite their benefits, electric heated blankets come with some concerns, especially for first-time users. Chief among them: How do you wash one? After all, most electric blanket manufacturers recommend washing the blanket before use. If you've been wondering this, too, you're not alone. Several Reddit users share the same concern, having tried various cleaning hacks and ruining a few blankets along the way. Here's everything you need to know so you can use your heated blanket without worrying. If you're looking for more information about sleep, check out the wellness editors' favorite sleep tips and how to take a nap without ruining your sleep. Can you wash a heated blanket? Generally speaking, yes. Most electric blankets are machine washable and can even be dried in the dryer. But before you go toss yours in the next load of laundry, take a moment to read the blanket's care instructions. Different blankets may have different washing instructions. For example, Sunbeam, a blanket manufacturer, recommends presoaking the blanket and then washing it in cold water and mild soap on delicate for two minutes. Another blanket maker, Sleepme, makes electric blankets with weighted inserts. They recommend removing the insert, then washing only the outer cover on a gentle cycle. Materials you'll need to wash your heated blanket Depending on the care instructions, here are some things you may need to wash your electric blanket. Washer Dryer or drying rack/clothesline Laundry detergent Clean cloths (if needed for stain treating) How to wash an electric blanket Washing a heated blanket isn't difficult, but there are usually some things you'll need to do to prepare the blanket for the washing machine. Here are step-by-step instructions to follow. 1. Remove the cords The electric blankets cords are what allow the electricity to travel from the outlet into the blanket. Electrical cords should not be submerged in water. Damaging the cords could cause the blanket to malfunction or stop working entirely. It's best to remove all connected cords to ensure the blanket isn't damaged. 2. Review the blanket's washing instructions Somewhere on the blanket or in the information that came with it, there will be washing and drying instructions. They will usually indicate if the blanket can be machine washed or should be hand washed, what washing machine cycle to use, how to dry and even sometimes soap specifications. It's important to read these before laundering the blanket. If the washing instructions indicate that the blanket must be hand washed, skip ahead to step four. 3. Run on a delicate cycle Most electric blankets should be washed on a delicate or gentle cycle. This helps to eliminate dislodging or damaging the wiring inside the blanket. 4. Wash by hand Though most heated blankets can be washed in a washing machine, there may be some that must be hand washed. In that case, remove the cords, and fill your washing tub with cold water and gentle detergent. After you've soaked the blanket for a bit, use your hands to wash the blanket, similar to how a washing machine agitates. When you're satisfied with the amount of washing done, drain and refill the tub with water to rinse the blanket. Do this until all soap is gone from the blanket. Squeeze excess water out and either lay flat to dry or dry in the machine on low if the care instructions indicate you can do so. 5. Dry the heated blanket Most electric blankets can be tumble dried on low in the dryer. Be sure to dry your blanket according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. If the blanket must be air-dried, try laying it between two towels to soak up excess water and then lay or hang it flat to dry. You might be tempted to wring out excess water by twisting the blanket, but do not do this as it may cause damage to the internal often should you wash a heated blanket? How often you should wash your electric blanket depends on how much the blanket is used. As a general rule, you should wash the blanket when you think it needs it. You may need to wash it infrequently if it is on a bed that doesn't often get used, or if you're a nightly user, you might prefer to get in a routine of washing the blanket each time you wash your other bedding. If you plan to pack away the blanket, wash it before putting it in storage. When you shouldn't wash a heated blanket Do not wash a heated blanket that still has any cords attached. Additionally, if the blanket's care instructions suggest hand washing instead of machine washing, do not wash the blanket in the washing machine. How to get rid of stains on a heated blanket If you use your electric blanket a lot, it's inevitable that, eventually, you'll need to treat a stain or two. In most cases, a regular washing process will do, but when it won't, try mixing some laundry detergent and warm water and pretreating. Using a clean cloth, apply the soapy water mixture to the stain. You can either leave that setting and then wash the blanket following its care instructions or rinse the stain-treated area with another damp cloth and then air dry.
Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- Miami Herald
China Makes Childbirth Change Amid Falling Birth Rate
China is moving to expand access to pain relief during childbirth as part of efforts to encourage mothers to have more children. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry via email for comment outside of office hours. China has one of the world's lowest fertility rates, with an estimated 1.2 children per woman as of 2024. This marked a slight rise over 2023, but remains far below the replacement rate of 2.1. The government has rolled out an array of pro-natal policies, from child subsidies to extending insurance coverage to in vitro fertilization, but with little effect, raising concerns that the shrinking pool of young workers, coupled with the rising share of retirees, will drag on growth in the world's second-largest economy. By the end of this year, all tertiary hospitals-those with more than 500 beds-across China will be able to administer epidural anesthesia to pregnant women throughout the childbirth process, according to the country's health authorities, as reported by the state media outlet China Daily. All secondary hospitals, or those with more than 100 beds, will be capable of providing this service by 2027. These institutions will be expected to strengthen related infrastructure and protocols, including dedicated procedure rooms that meet a high standard of sterilization. Efforts were also updated to include pain relief procedures throughout labor, encompassing early and post-labor assessments, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of possible complications. Hospitals must continuously track hospital-acquired infections and improve information sharing between anesthesia and obstetrics departments to monitor patients' conditions better, the notice said. Anesthesia is administered to just 30 percent of mothers during labor in China, compared to around 67 percent in the United States, the health officials said. This hesitance is due to a shortage of anesthesiologists in some areas, unregulated costs of the procedure, and lingering misconceptions about possible side effects, according to experts cited by China Daily. Yun Zhou, assistant professor of sociology at the University of Michigan, told Reuters: "Much of China's population decline is rooted in entrenched structural reasons. "Without fundamental structural transformations-from enhancing the social safety net to eliminating gender discrimination – the trend of population decline cannot be reversed." New measures continue to be introduced at both the central and local government levels. For example, Hohhot, the capital of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, announced in January a subsidy of 10,000 yuan ($1,393) to couples who have their first child. However, experts are skeptical that these and other government-driven efforts are enough to reverse a demographic decline. Commonly cited obstacles to parenthood in China include long working hours, the rising cost of urban living, and a lack of support for women in the workplace. Related Articles Video Shows Chinese 'Militia' Ship Near US Ally's Disputed TerritoryMap Shows China's Visa-Free 'Circle of Friends'Satellite Photo Shows US Aircraft Carrier in Pacific Rivalry With ChinaDonald Trump Says China 'Not Easy' As Trade Talks Kick Off 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
China Makes Childbirth Change Amid Falling Birth Rate
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. China is moving to expand access to pain relief during childbirth as part of efforts to encourage mothers to have more children. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry via email for comment outside of office hours. Why It Matters China has one of the world's lowest fertility rates, with an estimated 1.2 children per woman as of 2024. This marked a slight rise over 2023, but remains far below the replacement rate of 2.1. The government has rolled out an array of pro-natal policies, from child subsidies to extending insurance coverage to in vitro fertilization, but with little effect, raising concerns that the shrinking pool of young workers, coupled with the rising share of retirees, will drag on growth in the world's second-largest economy. A nurse takes care of a newborn baby at a hospital on May 11, 2025 in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province of China. International Nurses Day falls on May 12 every year. A nurse takes care of a newborn baby at a hospital on May 11, 2025 in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province of China. International Nurses Day falls on May 12 every year. Wang Chun/VCG via Associated Press What To Know By the end of this year, all tertiary hospitals—those with more than 500 beds—across China will be able to administer epidural anesthesia to pregnant women throughout the childbirth process, according to the country's health authorities, as reported by the state media outlet China Daily. All secondary hospitals, or those with more than 100 beds, will be capable of providing this service by 2027. These institutions will be expected to strengthen related infrastructure and protocols, including dedicated procedure rooms that meet a high standard of sterilization. Efforts were also updated to include pain relief procedures throughout labor, encompassing early and post-labor assessments, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of possible complications. Hospitals must continuously track hospital-acquired infections and improve information sharing between anesthesia and obstetrics departments to monitor patients' conditions better, the notice said. Anesthesia is administered to just 30 percent of mothers during labor in China, compared to around 67 percent in the United States, the health officials said. This hesitance is due to a shortage of anesthesiologists in some areas, unregulated costs of the procedure, and lingering misconceptions about possible side effects, according to experts cited by China Daily. What People Are Saying Yun Zhou, assistant professor of sociology at the University of Michigan, told Reuters: "Much of China's population decline is rooted in entrenched structural reasons. "Without fundamental structural transformations—from enhancing the social safety net to eliminating gender discrimination – the trend of population decline cannot be reversed." What Happens Next New measures continue to be introduced at both the central and local government levels. For example, Hohhot, the capital of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, announced in January a subsidy of 10,000 yuan ($1,393) to couples who have their first child. However, experts are skeptical that these and other government-driven efforts are enough to reverse a demographic decline. Commonly cited obstacles to parenthood in China include long working hours, the rising cost of urban living, and a lack of support for women in the workplace.
