Couple’s dog rushed to the hospital after eating meth at LA park: ‘Everybody was just shocked’
What started as an ordinary outing quickly escalated into a medical emergency for a Southern California couple after their dog was apparently exposed to a dangerous drug at a local park.
Nikolas and Jenifer Dorhoutmees had taken their 3-year-old Australian cattle mix, Uni, for a walk through North Hollywood Park when the animal suddenly began showing alarming symptoms. According to Jenifer, the dog started drooling and experiencing diarrhea, and a closer look revealed pale gums — a troubling sign that something was seriously wrong.
Fearing for Uni’s life, the couple rushed her to a veterinarian. While at the clinic, Jenifer remembered hearing about a similar incident in the same park months earlier, where another dog had been exposed to methamphetamine. She asked the veterinary team to run a drug screening, which confirmed their fears: Uni had tested positive for meth.
The situation was critical. Veterinarians recorded the dog’s temperature at 106 degrees, a level that can lead to organ failure or brain damage if not quickly reduced. Staff worked for close to an hour to bring the fever down and stabilize her condition. Uni remained under close observation and intensive care for more than a day before she was finally released.
A previous case in the area involved another dog suffering symptoms such as agitation, rapid breathing, a high heart rate, and a fever of 103 degrees. Experts say exposure to substances like methamphetamine can be deadly for animals without immediate treatment.
Veterinarian Dr. John Tegzes has warned that any contact with meth should be treated as an urgent medical crisis. Dogs affected by the drug may act hyperactive or aggressive, with unusual behaviors like constant licking or rapid head movements.
Shaken by the experience, the Dorhoutmees expressed concern about the presence of dangerous substances in a public park often visited by families and pets. They hope speaking out will encourage others to be more cautious and help prevent similar incidents.
Nikolas said that if their experience makes even one pet owner more aware and helps spare another animal from a life-threatening situation, then sharing their story will have been worthwhile.
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