Cat and Dog Exposures to Cocaine or Methamphetamine
Author Information
Author(s): Orrin D. Ware, Renee Schmid
Primary Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Hypothesis
This study examines trends in cat and dog exposures to cocaine or methamphetamine.
Conclusion
The study found significant increases in cocaine exposure among cats and dogs, while methamphetamine exposure did not show significant trends.
Supporting Evidence
- Cocaine and methamphetamine are the most common illicit stimulants in the US.
- The study used data from a specialty animal poison control center.
- Significant increases in cocaine exposure were identified among pets.
Takeaway
The study looked at how often cats and dogs were exposed to cocaine and methamphetamine, finding that more pets are getting into cocaine than before.
Methodology
This cross-sectional study used deidentified secondary data from calls about potential exposures to cocaine or methamphetamine from 2019 to 2023.
Potential Biases
The data is limited to calls received, which may not represent all exposures.
Limitations
The study only presents count data and does not detail how exposures occurred, limiting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
The sample included 63 cats and 433 dogs, with data on age and weight.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P=0.047 for cats exposed to cocaine; P=0.03 for dogs exposed to cocaine; P=0.01 for dogs exposed to cocaine or methamphetamine.
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 1.04-128.46 for cats exposed to cocaine; 95% CI, 7.07-80.45 for dogs exposed to cocaine; 95% CI, 15.28-64.43 for dogs exposed to cocaine or methamphetamine.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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