A Labrador named Tokyo had to be stretchered off Ben Nevis after suddenly becoming critically unwell on the trail. The dog was hiking with her owner when she lost the use of her legs and began drifting in and out of consciousness.
Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team stepped in, and the dog was carried down Scotland’s highest peak to a local vet. Tokyo later made a full recovery, but the incident is a sharp reminder that even popular outdoor routes can hide unpleasant surprises.
What Happened On Ben Nevis
Tokyo was climbing with Christina Bluhme, a dog trainer from Surrey, when the Labrador took a sudden turn for the worse. The dog became unable to walk and was described as critically ill after what vets believed was cannabis left on the trail.
That is a bleak twist for a mountain day out, especially on a route as busy and well known as Ben Nevis. The rescue team was called in because carrying a 25kg Labrador down steep ground on your own is not exactly a casual stroll.
The dog was taken on a stretcher and brought down to receive treatment at a local veterinary practice. Tokyo recovered fully by the following day.
Why Ben Nevis Rescues Can Happen Fast
Ben Nevis draws walkers of all abilities, from keen hillwalkers to people ticking off Scotland’s highest summit. In a typical year, the Mountain Track sees well over 100,000 people, and the sheer number of boots on the hill means rescue callouts are hardly rare. If you are heading up for the first time, this Ben Nevis guide for first-time visitors gives a clearer picture of what the day actually involves.
Mountain paths can be exposed, uneven, and far from straightforward once something goes wrong. Ben Nevis rises to 1,345 metres, and even the most commonly used route is a long mountain walk rather than a gentle tourist path. Add a large dog, a sudden illness, and a descent of roughly 16km return, and a solo owner can be left with very few options.
Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team said Tokyo was thought to have ingested something that made her critically unwell. The team also thanked Crown Vets for helping with her care. For context, Lochaber MRT is one of the busiest teams in Scotland, regularly dealing with incidents involving slips, exhaustion, navigation mistakes, exposure, and occasional callouts where dogs are part of the problem too.
What Dog Owners Should Keep In Mind On Popular Trails
The owner’s warning was simple and sensible: discarded drugs and other toxic substances can be found even in beautiful outdoor places. That is not the sort of scenic extra anyone wants on a mountain walk, but it is a real risk in busy areas. Anyone planning more days out with a pet will probably want a look at traveling Scotland with a dog for routes, stays, and a few practical basics.
If you hike with a dog, a few habits make sense on well-used routes like Ben Nevis:
- Keep dogs close on busy sections of trail.
- Watch for unusual behaviour such as wobbling, confusion, drooling, or collapse.
- Do not assume trash is harmless, even in remote-looking places.
- Know the quickest way to get help if your dog becomes unwell.
That last point matters on mountains, where time and distance can turn a worrying moment into a serious one very quickly. Mobile signal on Ben Nevis can be patchy depending on your network and exact position, and weather can change the feel of the route fast even in summer. The summit often sits several degrees colder than Fort William, with wind chill doing the usual Highland trick of making everything feel much less cheerful.
Why The Recovery Matters
Tokyo’s recovery by the next day is a relief, and it also highlights how valuable mountain rescue and local veterinary teams can be when things go wrong outdoors. The owner praised both for their calm support and professionalism.
For people planning a walk on Ben Nevis with a dog, the story is a reminder to treat the route with the same care you would give any other mountain day. The views are the draw. The trail still deserves respect. If Ben Nevis feels a bit much for your dog’s first Scottish hill day, gentler options like Ben Lomond or this Ben Vorlich guide may be easier to size up before committing.
Popular hills and summit routes always come with a bit of extra responsibility, especially if you are carrying kit, minding children, or bringing a dog along. A bright day and a busy path do not guarantee a simple outing. On Ben Nevis, most people start from Glen Nevis near Fort William, where parking fills quickly in peak months and the main path can feel surprisingly crowded for a mountain that still demands decent fitness.
Tokyo is back to full health. Ben Nevis, meanwhile, has another story tucked into its long list of mountain incidents, which is probably enough excitement for one ridge.
