Opioid-class drugs are commonly prescribed as powerful pain medications in both humans and animals, though they can also be accessed or used illicitly. These substances carry a significant risk of overdose in people and in pets because they slow the central nervous system. At high doses, this effect can slow the respiratory system to the point of stopping breathing.
While any pet can experience opioid toxicity, dogs are particularly at risk because they rely heavily on their noses to explore their surroundings. This means they are more likely to directly inhale a substance through their nose, ingest it through their mouth or be exposed indirectly through contamination on their feet and fur.
