Animal CBD: Reefer Madness Could become a Medicinal Game Changer | By Jen Buhler | Animal Kingdom
With cannabis becoming legal in many states and it’s medicinal therapy being used by humans, pet owners have started to ask if cannabidiol, or CBD, can also help their pets. While marijuana (THC) and CBD both come from the cannabis sativa plant, CBD is non-psychotropic and is being used in human medicine to relieve pain and inflammation, treat epilepsy and anxiety disorders, just to name a few. After a recent lecture on animal epilepsy that took place at my hospital, I spoke with the neurologist who believes CBD could become a game changer for suffering pets. Unfortunately, until further research is done most veterinarians won’t be prescribing CBD so it’s vital we move past the “reefer madness” mentality and explore the possibilities of what this plant has to offer.
The good news is Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences has begun research and trials to see how CBD can help pets with epilepsy and osteoarthritis. The leading neurologist in these trials, Dr. Stephanie McGrath, told Veterinary Practice magazine, that “We need to know if this drug is safe and if it works. If CBD is effective for treating epilepsy, it has the potential to save the lives of dogs around the world.” According to the magazine, the AKC Health Foundation recently announced that they are also funding a major clinical trial to see the efficacy of CBD in drug-resistant epilepsy in dogs. In 2017, the first Cannabis in Veterinary Medicine Symposium took place in Colorado with 6 highly respected veterinarians and an attorney that discussed the latest research regarding the therapeutic use of CBD. Currently animals that need epileptic therapy are being prescribed benzodiazepines and barbiturates and for relief of osteoarthritis, NSAIDS and opioids. However these drugs can have unwanted side effects so other options must be explored if we are to move forward with helping our pets.
While companies do sell CBD treats and oils online, the neurologist I spoke with recommends speaking with your vet first before purchasing any of these items. She said that while they may sound promising, without proper dosing you might be wasting your money and could actually cause your pet harm if the THC content is too high. There could also be drug reactions between the CBD and any current medication being taken. Please keep in mind that what is safe for human use might not be safe for your pets, so never give them something that isn’t authorized by your vet. Marijuana ingestion in animals is on the rise and it can be fatal so if your pet consumes marijuana or an edible, get to your closest animal hospital immediately. Many owners hesitate to tell veterinary staff that their pet ate their pot brownie because they are embarrassed or afraid of getting in trouble. I can promise you that we don’t judge nor get anyone in trouble, we just want to help your pet as fast as possible.
As research and trials continue, we will eventually know more about how CBD can benefit our pets and hopefully by that time legislation and people’s perception of the drug will have changed further. In the meantime, a good question to think about is:
If your pet was suffering from an ailment that could be relieved by CBD, would you be willing to give it a try?
Tags: #CBD #PetTherapy #AnimalHealth #AnimalKingdom @Pharmative
With cannabis becoming legal in many states and it’s medicinal therapy being used by humans, pet owners have started to ask if cannabidiol, or CBD, can also help their pets. While marijuana (THC) and CBD both come from the cannabis sativa plant, CBD is non-psychotropic and is being used in human medicine to relieve pain and inflammation, treat epilepsy and anxiety disorders, just to name a few. After a recent lecture on animal epilepsy that took place at my hospital, I spoke with the neurologist who believes CBD could become a game changer for suffering pets. Unfortunately, until further research is done most veterinarians won’t be prescribing CBD so it’s vital we move past the “reefer madness” mentality and explore the possibilities of what this plant has to offer.
The good news is Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences has begun research and trials to see how CBD can help pets with epilepsy and osteoarthritis. The leading neurologist in these trials, Dr. Stephanie McGrath, told Veterinary Practice magazine, that “We need to know if this drug is safe and if it works. If CBD is effective for treating epilepsy, it has the potential to save the lives of dogs around the world.” According to the magazine, the AKC Health Foundation recently announced that they are also funding a major clinical trial to see the efficacy of CBD in drug-resistant epilepsy in dogs. In 2017, the first Cannabis in Veterinary Medicine Symposium took place in Colorado with 6 highly respected veterinarians and an attorney that discussed the latest research regarding the therapeutic use of CBD. Currently animals that need epileptic therapy are being prescribed benzodiazepines and barbiturates and for relief of osteoarthritis, NSAIDS and opioids. However these drugs can have unwanted side effects so other options must be explored if we are to move forward with helping our pets.
While companies do sell CBD treats and oils online, the neurologist I spoke with recommends speaking with your vet first before purchasing any of these items. She said that while they may sound promising, without proper dosing you might be wasting your money and could actually cause your pet harm if the THC content is too high. There could also be drug reactions between the CBD and any current medication being taken. Please keep in mind that what is safe for human use might not be safe for your pets, so never give them something that isn’t authorized by your vet. Marijuana ingestion in animals is on the rise and it can be fatal so if your pet consumes marijuana or an edible, get to your closest animal hospital immediately. Many owners hesitate to tell veterinary staff that their pet ate their pot brownie because they are embarrassed or afraid of getting in trouble. I can promise you that we don’t judge nor get anyone in trouble, we just want to help your pet as fast as possible.
As research and trials continue, we will eventually know more about how CBD can benefit our pets and hopefully by that time legislation and people’s perception of the drug will have changed further. In the meantime, a good question to think about is:
If your pet was suffering from an ailment that could be relieved by CBD, would you be willing to give it a try?
Tags: #CBD #PetTherapy #AnimalHealth #AnimalKingdom @Pharmative
Good story, Jen.