Woman arrested after three-month-old pet swallows 55 crack cocaine rocks
The French bulldog called Antonieta was rushed to a vet after swallowing the huge stash on April 17. Surgeons in Brazil removed 55 rocks, weighing about 12g
Veterinarian Lillian Van Den Boom and Antonieta(Image: Jam Press/Lillian Van Den Boom)
A woman has been arrested after her three-month-old French bulldog, Antonieta, swallowed 55 crack cocaine rocks. The puppy was reportedly rushed to a veterinary clinic on April 17, after showing signs of intoxication.
Scans and tests indicated foreign objects inside her, which vets removed during surgery and later identified as crack cocaine. Clinic staff alerted police after a total of 55 rocks, weighing about 12g, were reportedly recovered.
Officers then arrested the woman when she returned to the clinic with her parents to check on Antonieta in Joinville, Brazil, and seized the drugs. The woman, whose name and age have not been released, allegedly told police the crack belonged to her.
She has since been released on bail, but must wear an electronic ankle monitor and stay at home when not working. Antonieta’s health later worsened, with vets reporting rapidly progressing neurological issues.
According to Need To Know, veterinarian Lillian Van Den Boom told local media on Thursday (April 23): “She’s developed neurological symptoms, and it’s progressing very quickly. She’s just been seen by a neurologist.
“Unfortunately, we’re going to have to transfer her to intensive care. What we believe so far is that it could even be withdrawal symptoms.
“But we can’t say for sure, because there are no veterinary studies to date reporting this. What we are seeing are seizure episodes occurring in short intervals.”
The owner is reportedly facing charges of animal cruelty and drug trafficking. The clinic also said the dog had not been dewormed or given required vaccinations.
Staff are now working with an animal welfare centre to arrange microchipping and prepare Antonieta for adoption. If a dog ingests crack cocaine, it should be treated as a life-threatening emergency because dogs are highly sensitive to the drug, Pet Poison Helpline explains.
Experts warn the substance can be absorbed quickly and start affecting the brain and heart within minutes, meaning urgent vet treatment is needed, according to Drjustinelee.com. Vets say symptoms can come on fast, often within 10 to 15 minutes.
These can include extreme agitation and hyperactivity, tremors and seizures, alongside dangerous effects on the heart such as a racing pulse and raised blood pressure. Dogs may also show physical signs including dilated pupils, heavy drooling, vomiting and overheating, with the risk of death from respiratory arrest, heart failure or severe hyperthermia.
There is no specific antidote for cocaine, so treatment focuses on stabilising the animal and managing symptoms, as per PedMD. Vets may try decontamination, such as inducing vomiting or carrying out a stomach pump, but typically only if the dog is not yet showing neurological signs, because the risks rise once symptoms begin.
Medication can be used to control seizures, including anticonvulsants such as diazepam, while vets may also give drugs to help slow the heart if needed. Cooling measures and aggressive IV fluids can be used to bring down dangerously high temperatures.
Dogs often need to be hospitalised for intensive monitoring, sometimes for 10 to 30 hours, because abnormal heart rhythms and neurological relapse can occur even after initial treatment, Wag! explains.
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