Illicit drug 2: Amphetamines, including MDMA (Ecstasy)

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Common street names for amphetamines include speed, dex, and uppers; crystal methamphetamine is often called glass or ice; and powdered methamphetamine is often called meth or crank. A gram of crystal methamphetamine costs $250. MDMA, or Ecstasy, is a popular club drug with similar physical structure to amphetamines.

The most common amphetamines for pets to ingest are in the form of prescription ADD/ADHD medications such as Ritalin, Adderall, or Concerta. Many of these medications are sold illegally on the street. Amphetamines are potent stimulants and cause severe agitation, hyperactivity, dilated pupils, head bobbing, tremors, cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, and life-threatening hyperthermia (elevated body temperatures) in dogs and cats.

Pet Poison Helpline does not often recommend that vomiting be induced at home in pets that have ingested amphetamines due to the risk of rapid-onset neurological stimulation. In agitated or symptomatic animals, inducing vomiting may lead to seizures. Thus, all pets that ingest such drugs should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible. If veterinarians are examining pets that they suspect ingested amphetamines, using over-the-counter urine

drug screening tests

can be a useful diagnostic tool.

More in this package:

Introduction

Illicit drug 1: Marijuana

Illicit drug 2: Amphetamines, including MDMA (Ecstasy)

Illicit drug 3: Cocaine or crack cocaine

Illicit drug 4: Heroin

Illicit drug 5: Hallucinogens

Drug testing in dogs