A terrifying hike on Britain’s tallest mountain turned into a medical emergency for a 5-year-old black Labrador retriever named Tokyo. On July 5, 2026, the dog’s owner, Christina Bluhme, was trekking near the summit of Ben Nevis in the Scottish Highlands when her pet suddenly began to sway as if intoxicated before collapsing entirely. Bluhme, an experienced canine trainer of 25 years, was initially mystified by the sudden decline of her dog, who was unable to walk as the weather conditions deteriorated into rain with temperatures dropping to 5 C (41 F).
Bluhme and her son were more than three hours into their climb when the incident occurred, forcing them to abandon their summit attempt. While her son attempted to call for assistance, they were uncertain if a rescue crew would be available. Fortunately, a volunteer team from the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team was already descending the mountain after completing a separate operation to airlift an injured hiker. The team quickly placed the 55-pound (25-kilogram) dog onto a stretcher and navigated the steep, slick, and rocky trail to the trailhead in approximately one hour. Bluhme praised the rescuers for their agility and speed during the descent.
Upon arriving at the trailhead, the dog was transported to Crown Vets in Fort William. While veterinarians initially considered the possibility of a spinal injury, a senior vet observed that the dog was drifting in and out of consciousness, suggesting the presence of a neurotoxin. After consulting with a poison control center, medical staff confirmed that the symptoms were consistent with cannabis intoxication. Tokyo was treated with activated charcoal and made a full recovery overnight.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Bluhme expressed relief that the dog survived the incident, noting that by the following day, Tokyo appeared as though nothing had happened. The emergency veterinary care cost 1,000 pounds ($1,335), an expense Bluhme said was well worth saving her pet. Despite her professional background in dog training, the owner admitted she never suspected her dog had ingested drugs during the hike, describing the event as a very bad trip for the animal.
