Researcher’s Question:
I am researching cannabinoids for animals. I am wondering if you could recommend a resource that would give information about cannabis use in dogs, cats, horses, and other small animals?
Uwe’s Answer:
With all the buzz that the effective, safe, and clinical use of medicinal cannabis has created for humans, it is no wonder that there has also been a growing interest in the potential use of cannabis-based medicines in treating various medical conditions in animals. As a pet owner or veterinarian, it is crucial to stay informed about the latest research and resources available in this field so as to provide the best possible outcome of your furry friends. Fortunately, there are several resources that can help you learn more about the clinical use of cannabis-based products in treating cats, dogs, bovine, equines, elephants, bees, and other animals.
CannaKeys Tracks Veterinary ECS-Related Studies
One of those resources is CannaKeys (CK) where you quickly discover that between the years of 2016-24 alone over seventy scientific studies have been published examining the modulation of various components of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the treatment context of veterinary medicine. Of these, several randomized clinical trials (RTCs) tested the efficacy and safety parameters of mostly CBD-based medication. The latest clinical review of RCTs (T. Lima et al., 2022) found that CBD significantly reduced pain and increased activity for dogs with osteoarthritis, and also significantly reduced aggressiveness and seizures in dogs with behavior problems and epilepsy respectively.
Other cannabis constituents that have shown degrees of efficacies include THC and the terpene beta-caryophyllene. THC was found effective in treating cats with seizures disorders and the terpene beta-caryophyllene was found effective in reducing bacterial dental plaque formation in dogs.
Exploring the Safety of CBD and THC for Pets
However, even with the relatively good safety profile in human applications and the recent advances in cannabinoid-based research for animals in the clinical setting a number of veterinary organizations do not recommend the use of any cannabis-based products until more and larger RTC’s have been conducted.
So what is one to do when faced with animals suffering from chronic pain, anxiety, or seizure disorders that are refractory to pharmaceutical interventions? Many veterinarians and pet owners are taking a cautious off-label approach. And, if case studies and case series are to be taken as measure (see CannaKeys filtered for case studies), the outlooks appear to echo the currently available RTC data, which is very very optimistic indeed.
With the rapid pace of veterinary related studies appearing in Vet-focused journals we here at CK have long realized the need for a one-stop portal that tracks the latest scientific insights and trends and places the most critical data at your fingertips so you can make the most informed and discerning clinical decisions to at once increase therapeutic efficacy and to reduce any adverse effects potential.
CK is tracking all veterinary studies related to all components of the ECS (i.e., receptor sites, endocannabinoids, their corresponding metabolizing enzymes, and endocannabinoid tone). In addition, we track related research centering on phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids. The latter of which have gained notoriety regarding the potential use of enzyme blockers to increase the bioavailability of endocannabinoids found to be low in various chronic conditions affecting pet patient populations.
In addition to the use of CK where you have access to each individual study link, a total study summary or synopses, and intuitive graphics collectively designed to make the process of staying up-to-date as easy and elegant as possible. Furthermore, there are many peer-reviewed journals that you may want to consult for the full text behind their paywalls. These full texts can provide additional in-depth insights into the effectiveness and safety of such treatments in different animal species. Some prominent journals that carry relevant materials in the English speaking field include the American Veterinary Medical Association, Canadian Association of Veterinary Cannabinoid Medicine, and CBD Vets Australia. If you are Spanish speaking, consider ICAN Connect to Cannabis a good resource from Mexico.
Lastly, attending conferences and workshops related to veterinary medicine that also feature Cannabis-related topics may be an excellent way to learn about the clinical use of cannabinoid-based medicines. These events often feature expert speakers who discuss the latest research findings and share their expertise on the topic.
See also Study Spotlight #7 entitled “Good News for Dogs and the People that Love Them.”
Disclaimers: the information in this email and the information contained in the embedded links/site is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If using a product, you should read carefully all product packaging. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider.
Information on this site is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your physician, nutritionally oriented health care practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications.
