Naloxone training gains traction as canine overdose risk rises

Dogs can overdose on opioids, too, and veterinary clinicians are getting a clearer evidence base for how naloxone can help. Recent veterinary coverage has highlighted the growing risk of canine exposure through inhalation or ingestion, especially in homes and field settings where fentanyl or other opioids may be present. Supporting that message, FDA guidance for veterinarians says pets can overdose on opioids, and points specifically to fentanyl risk in dogs, while a 2023 study in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine found that both intranasal and intramuscular naloxone reversed fentanyl-induced sedation in working dogs, even though intramuscular dosing produced higher plasma concentrations. (fda.gov)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this is less about a new drug than a broader shift in preparedness. Opioid exposure in dogs is now part of emergency toxicology, particularly for working dogs, curious household pets, and animals in environments where illicit drugs or prescription opioids are accessible. FDA advises veterinarians to educate pet parents on safe opioid storage and disposal, and ASPCA toxicology guidance says naloxone may be useful not only for heroin or carfentanil exposure, but also for fentanyl, oxycodone, buprenorphine, and other opioids. (fda.gov)

What to watch: Expect more emphasis on clinic protocols, client education, and field training, especially as experts continue to study real-world canine exposures and the risk of rebound toxicity with longer-acting opioids. (academic.oup.com)