Dog rescued from Ben Nevis suspected to have eaten discarded cannabis
A dog has been rescued from Ben Nevis after he was suspected of falling ill from eating discarded cannabis.
Christina Bluhme, a dog trainer from Esher in Surrey, was halfway up Britain’s highest mountain when her black Labrador Tokyo collapsed on the road.
The Mount Lochaber Rescue Team came to their aid and lowered Tokyo from the 1,345-metre (4,413 ft) summit to a local veterinarian.
Bluhme said Tokyo has fully recovered from the incident during last weekend’s trip to Scotland. He said he believed the vets had swallowed marijuana left on the road.
“I really thought I was going to lose him,” the dog trainer said after Tokyo lost the use of her legs and began losing consciousness.
Bluhme said Tokyo remained unconscious for much of the journey down the mountain and praised the rescuers who brought him to safety.
He said: “If it wasn’t for the incredible Mount Lochaber Rescue Team there would have been no way I could have gotten him off the mountain safely.
“Carrying a 25kg Labrador to Ben Nevis was impossible on my own.
“Their kindness, professionalism and calm support meant everything on one of the scariest days I have ever experienced.”
Bluhme said he felt “incredibly lucky” that Tokyo survived and thanked the rescue team and veterinary staff for their “compassion and dedication.”
“You were there when we needed you most,” he added.
“A little reminder to our dog owner friends: Please remember that discarded medications and other toxic materials can sometimes be found in even the most beautiful outdoor spaces.
“It was something I never imagined we would encounter.”
Mount Lochaber Rescue Team said it was pleased with Tokyo’s full recovery and praised the local veterinary team in Fort William.
A spokesman added: “Tokyo, who is generally a very fit and active working dog, is suspected to have swallowed something which left him critically ill.
“Many thanks to Crown vets for their support and Tokyo’s owner for the update and photos.”
