END OF LIFE CARE: what are my OPTIONS and can i safely Give cannabis to my pet
End of life care: what can I do to keep my pet comfortable until it is time? And is Cannabis an option?
All of this information was provided by Robert J Silver DVM, MSA, CVA at the Coachella Valley Chapter Orange Belt VMA CE Dinner Meeting July 2016. Cannabis sativa L – What Every Veterinarian Needs to Know.pptx
Many people have been starting to hear about the use of Cannabis for treatment of certain diseases like seizures, epilepsy, helping with pain, and cancer in humans. Whether you have seen this on television, read about it online, or discussed it with other people who have experienced the benefits, it may leave you wondering if Cannabis can be used for your pet. This page is designed to help people understand what exactly Cannabis is, what makes it so useful as a treatment for so many diseases, and how it may benefit your pet.
Warning: This is not a medical marijuana dispensary and no product made from cannabis will be prescribed to a patient without a full physical examination and consultation by a licensed veterinarian.
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis, also known as marijuana, pot, grass, reefer, dope, and Mary Jane has been used by humans since 4000 BC for medicinal, spiritual and euphoric applications. In the 1930s it became an illegal drug, and is now referred to as a Schedule I Controlled Substance by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) along with heroin, LSD, Peyote and Ecstasy resulting in 12.3 million arrests for marijuana alone in the United States from 1996-2012.
Cannabis is broken into two species, Sativa and Indica but the correct botanical name is Cannabis sativa L which includes both Sativa and Indica. It is grown all over the world and has a very distinct and well-known leaf with a stem that is about 1-2 meters tall. It is often referred to in the medical field as the “Neglected Pharmacological Treasure Love.”
Cannabis is made up of three components (simply put): Phyto-Cannabinoids (THC and CBD, explained later) as well as Terpenoids which gives Cannabis its aroma, and Flavanoids that are filled with natural anti-oxidants. We will be focusing mostly on the Phyto-Cannabinoids but we want our clients to have a full understanding of Cannabis before making an informed decision as to whether it would be useful for your pet or not.
There are many other components in Cannabis that will not be discussed here but should be mentioned since some carry biological effects on the body such as immunity, inflammation, pain, emotional memory, hunger and metabolism. One particular components of Cannabis that is under a lot of research is the Endocinnabinoid which helps inhibit cell growth making it very useful in decreasing cancer growth.
Phyto-Cannabinoids are broken up into five different components. The most recognizable components knows by the general public is THC (∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol), also known as the psycho-active fraction of physocanabinoids . THC, in people, serves as an anti-emetic (stops vomiting), appetite promoter, pain reducer, as well as helps with damage nerve pain, migraines, spinal cord injury, dental pain, phantom limb and neurodegenerative conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis and Glaucoma. It also reduces Alzheimer symptoms, can be used as a bronchodilator , and benefits people with jaundice (yellow pigment to their skin due to liver disease). This is also the main component of Cannabis that makes people “high” when ingested or inhaled.
The second phyto-cannabinoid is Tetrahydrocannabivarin, also knowns as THCV. This component is similar to THC but has different actions in the body such as an anti-convulsant (stops seizures), anti-inflammatory (such as arthritis), pain reducer, antioxidant and a neuroprotective in Parkinson’s disease.
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is the main non-psychotropic phyto-cannabinoid used in medicine. It is naturally occurring in Cannabis and is the most prevalent cannabinoid found in hemp. It was first isolated in the 1940’s, and it lacks psychoactive and cognitive properties that you find in THC (the properties that cause marijuana to make you “high”). Eight CBD-type phytocannabinoids have been identified thus far.
The fourth phyto-cannabinoid is Cannabigerol, also known as CBG. This is generally a minor component of cannabis but can be increased through breeding. This particular component has very little data so far regarding its applications in medicine, but has possible uses in treating diseases such as depression, psoriasis, and pain. This is also a non-psychoactive class of cannabinoids.
The last component of Cannabinoids is the Minor Cannabinoids has very little uses in medicine discovered this far.
What makes Cannabis a potentially “dangerous drug”?
In the 1970’s radioactive (a particular marker that shows location in the body) labeled THC was administered to determine its effects on the body. This was performed on monkeys, rats, pigeons, mice and dogs. Scientists noted marked behavioral symptoms especially in dogs. Dogs developed a “trance-like state”, immobility, hind limb ataxia (back legs with decreased function) evidenced by swaying movements, hypersensitivity to moving objects, slow heart rates, and urinary incontinence. This is particularly important information, especially for pet owners.
Warning: THC at high doses can result in dependency and/or death!
In a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in 2012, researchers found that in dogs living in states with legalized marijuana, a significant correlation was found between the number of medical marijuana licensees (doctors allowed to prescribe marijuana) and marijuana toxicity in dogs. The study found that there was a 146-fold increase in medical marijuana licensees and a 4-fold increase in dogs admitted to hospitals for signs of marijuana toxicity when compared to states with no medical marijuana licensees. (Resource: Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care 22(6), pp 690-696, doi:10.111/j.1476-4431, 2012.008818.x)
Warning: TCH is toxic to dogs! Do not give your dog any forms of cannabis without consulting with a veterinarian. This includes blowing inhaled marijuana smoke into your pet’s face/airways, giving your dog edible or topical marijuana or any form of marijuana. Some products are labeled as “CBD ONLY” but still have traceable amounts of TCH which could be harmful for your pet.
So now what? Veterinary Applications for Phyto-Cannabinoids:
A lot of information has been discussed here; some that is very interesting to people, and some that seems irrelevant. You want to know if Cannabis is safe for your pet, what it can be used for, and if it would be of any benefit to your pet as hospice/end-of-life care.
Cannabinoids are under a lot of research as of now. But what the research has shown is that Phyto-Cannabinoids, in particular CBD, can help with epilepsy, cancer (helps with pain, appetite, nausea, chemoprevention (prevents the need for high doses of chemotherapy, and treatment for cancer), inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, atopic dermatitis (skin disease that causes itchiness), neurodegenerative diseases, neurological trauma, pain due to joint disease such as arthritis or hip/elbow dysplasia, and in conjunction with antibiotics to treat infectious processes.
A peer-reviewed article released in AHVMA Journal in 2016 discussed the consumers’ perceptions of hemp products for animals. This article is posted below, but for those of you without the time to read the article or who just want it summed up, it basically lists the benefits of CBD in pets, how helpful owners felt the products were in relieving a multitude of signs and ailments, and the reasons pet owners chose hemp products over other “traditional” westernized methods of treatments.
For the full article on Consumers Perception of Hemp Products please visit:
www.ahvma.org/wp-content/uploads/AHVMA-2016-V42-Hemp-Article.pdf
It is important to understand that clinical research is necessary for full adoption of this nutraceutical/botanical by practicing veterinarians. Many veterinarians in the United States and around the world are unaware of Cannabis and its uses in Veterinary Medicine. It is important for veterinarians to establish appropriate doses, understand the range of conditions it can treat, and potential side effects.
Cannabis is still considered a Schedule One Controlled Substance which prohibits the use of THC by veterinarians until it is changed by the Federal Government. States with medicinal use status for Cannabis are only labeled for human conditions or human patients with a prescription from licensed and certified human physicians. I cannot stress enough that is it not ok to share marijuana with your pet as stated before even if it is labeled as “CBD only” as it can contains detectable traces of THC which can be toxic to your pet.
There are CBD products labeled as non-psychotropic (<0.3% THC). Medical marijuana manufacturers and distributers are legally allowed to sell higher levels of medicinal, non-psychotropic cannabinoids that can contain very high levels of THC and are labeled for HUMANS ONLY.
So how do I get a hold of Cannabis/CBD that is safe for my pet?
If you feel that your pet is in need of CBD, please contact your veterinarian. Legalized CBD products cannot be prescribed by a veterinarian without a full physical exam. I am more than happy to discuss CBD and the products I recommend over the phone, but if you would like to have CBD prescribed for your pet, your pet will need a full physical exam which can only be performed by a licensed veterinarian.
Thank you for reading.
Sincerely,
Susan Holt, DVM
FAQ: What you need to know about Hemp and Dogs:
veterinarypracticenews.com/faq-what-you-need-to-know-about-hemp-and-dogs/
To hear about ongoing studies on the use of Cannabis in dogs please visit:
csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/vth/veterinarians/clinical-trials/Pages/efficacy-of-cannabidiol-for-the-treatment-of-epilepsy-in-dogs.aspx
For links to recommended OTC Medical Grade Hemp Extracts please click on the following links:
innovetpet.com
www.DogHempCBD.com
All of this information was provided by Robert J Silver DVM, MSA, CVA at the Coachella Valley Chapter Orange Belt VMA CE Dinner Meeting July 2016. Cannabis sativa L – What Every Veterinarian Needs to Know.pptx
Many people have been starting to hear about the use of Cannabis for treatment of certain diseases like seizures, epilepsy, helping with pain, and cancer in humans. Whether you have seen this on television, read about it online, or discussed it with other people who have experienced the benefits, it may leave you wondering if Cannabis can be used for your pet. This page is designed to help people understand what exactly Cannabis is, what makes it so useful as a treatment for so many diseases, and how it may benefit your pet.
Warning: This is not a medical marijuana dispensary and no product made from cannabis will be prescribed to a patient without a full physical examination and consultation by a licensed veterinarian.
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis, also known as marijuana, pot, grass, reefer, dope, and Mary Jane has been used by humans since 4000 BC for medicinal, spiritual and euphoric applications. In the 1930s it became an illegal drug, and is now referred to as a Schedule I Controlled Substance by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) along with heroin, LSD, Peyote and Ecstasy resulting in 12.3 million arrests for marijuana alone in the United States from 1996-2012.
Cannabis is broken into two species, Sativa and Indica but the correct botanical name is Cannabis sativa L which includes both Sativa and Indica. It is grown all over the world and has a very distinct and well-known leaf with a stem that is about 1-2 meters tall. It is often referred to in the medical field as the “Neglected Pharmacological Treasure Love.”
Cannabis is made up of three components (simply put): Phyto-Cannabinoids (THC and CBD, explained later) as well as Terpenoids which gives Cannabis its aroma, and Flavanoids that are filled with natural anti-oxidants. We will be focusing mostly on the Phyto-Cannabinoids but we want our clients to have a full understanding of Cannabis before making an informed decision as to whether it would be useful for your pet or not.
There are many other components in Cannabis that will not be discussed here but should be mentioned since some carry biological effects on the body such as immunity, inflammation, pain, emotional memory, hunger and metabolism. One particular components of Cannabis that is under a lot of research is the Endocinnabinoid which helps inhibit cell growth making it very useful in decreasing cancer growth.
Phyto-Cannabinoids are broken up into five different components. The most recognizable components knows by the general public is THC (∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol), also known as the psycho-active fraction of physocanabinoids . THC, in people, serves as an anti-emetic (stops vomiting), appetite promoter, pain reducer, as well as helps with damage nerve pain, migraines, spinal cord injury, dental pain, phantom limb and neurodegenerative conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis and Glaucoma. It also reduces Alzheimer symptoms, can be used as a bronchodilator , and benefits people with jaundice (yellow pigment to their skin due to liver disease). This is also the main component of Cannabis that makes people “high” when ingested or inhaled.
The second phyto-cannabinoid is Tetrahydrocannabivarin, also knowns as THCV. This component is similar to THC but has different actions in the body such as an anti-convulsant (stops seizures), anti-inflammatory (such as arthritis), pain reducer, antioxidant and a neuroprotective in Parkinson’s disease.
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is the main non-psychotropic phyto-cannabinoid used in medicine. It is naturally occurring in Cannabis and is the most prevalent cannabinoid found in hemp. It was first isolated in the 1940’s, and it lacks psychoactive and cognitive properties that you find in THC (the properties that cause marijuana to make you “high”). Eight CBD-type phytocannabinoids have been identified thus far.
The fourth phyto-cannabinoid is Cannabigerol, also known as CBG. This is generally a minor component of cannabis but can be increased through breeding. This particular component has very little data so far regarding its applications in medicine, but has possible uses in treating diseases such as depression, psoriasis, and pain. This is also a non-psychoactive class of cannabinoids.
The last component of Cannabinoids is the Minor Cannabinoids has very little uses in medicine discovered this far.
What makes Cannabis a potentially “dangerous drug”?
In the 1970’s radioactive (a particular marker that shows location in the body) labeled THC was administered to determine its effects on the body. This was performed on monkeys, rats, pigeons, mice and dogs. Scientists noted marked behavioral symptoms especially in dogs. Dogs developed a “trance-like state”, immobility, hind limb ataxia (back legs with decreased function) evidenced by swaying movements, hypersensitivity to moving objects, slow heart rates, and urinary incontinence. This is particularly important information, especially for pet owners.
Warning: THC at high doses can result in dependency and/or death!
In a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in 2012, researchers found that in dogs living in states with legalized marijuana, a significant correlation was found between the number of medical marijuana licensees (doctors allowed to prescribe marijuana) and marijuana toxicity in dogs. The study found that there was a 146-fold increase in medical marijuana licensees and a 4-fold increase in dogs admitted to hospitals for signs of marijuana toxicity when compared to states with no medical marijuana licensees. (Resource: Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care 22(6), pp 690-696, doi:10.111/j.1476-4431, 2012.008818.x)
Warning: TCH is toxic to dogs! Do not give your dog any forms of cannabis without consulting with a veterinarian. This includes blowing inhaled marijuana smoke into your pet’s face/airways, giving your dog edible or topical marijuana or any form of marijuana. Some products are labeled as “CBD ONLY” but still have traceable amounts of TCH which could be harmful for your pet.
So now what? Veterinary Applications for Phyto-Cannabinoids:
A lot of information has been discussed here; some that is very interesting to people, and some that seems irrelevant. You want to know if Cannabis is safe for your pet, what it can be used for, and if it would be of any benefit to your pet as hospice/end-of-life care.
Cannabinoids are under a lot of research as of now. But what the research has shown is that Phyto-Cannabinoids, in particular CBD, can help with epilepsy, cancer (helps with pain, appetite, nausea, chemoprevention (prevents the need for high doses of chemotherapy, and treatment for cancer), inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, atopic dermatitis (skin disease that causes itchiness), neurodegenerative diseases, neurological trauma, pain due to joint disease such as arthritis or hip/elbow dysplasia, and in conjunction with antibiotics to treat infectious processes.
A peer-reviewed article released in AHVMA Journal in 2016 discussed the consumers’ perceptions of hemp products for animals. This article is posted below, but for those of you without the time to read the article or who just want it summed up, it basically lists the benefits of CBD in pets, how helpful owners felt the products were in relieving a multitude of signs and ailments, and the reasons pet owners chose hemp products over other “traditional” westernized methods of treatments.
For the full article on Consumers Perception of Hemp Products please visit:
www.ahvma.org/wp-content/uploads/AHVMA-2016-V42-Hemp-Article.pdf
It is important to understand that clinical research is necessary for full adoption of this nutraceutical/botanical by practicing veterinarians. Many veterinarians in the United States and around the world are unaware of Cannabis and its uses in Veterinary Medicine. It is important for veterinarians to establish appropriate doses, understand the range of conditions it can treat, and potential side effects.
Cannabis is still considered a Schedule One Controlled Substance which prohibits the use of THC by veterinarians until it is changed by the Federal Government. States with medicinal use status for Cannabis are only labeled for human conditions or human patients with a prescription from licensed and certified human physicians. I cannot stress enough that is it not ok to share marijuana with your pet as stated before even if it is labeled as “CBD only” as it can contains detectable traces of THC which can be toxic to your pet.
There are CBD products labeled as non-psychotropic (<0.3% THC). Medical marijuana manufacturers and distributers are legally allowed to sell higher levels of medicinal, non-psychotropic cannabinoids that can contain very high levels of THC and are labeled for HUMANS ONLY.
So how do I get a hold of Cannabis/CBD that is safe for my pet?
If you feel that your pet is in need of CBD, please contact your veterinarian. Legalized CBD products cannot be prescribed by a veterinarian without a full physical exam. I am more than happy to discuss CBD and the products I recommend over the phone, but if you would like to have CBD prescribed for your pet, your pet will need a full physical exam which can only be performed by a licensed veterinarian.
Thank you for reading.
Sincerely,
Susan Holt, DVM
FAQ: What you need to know about Hemp and Dogs:
veterinarypracticenews.com/faq-what-you-need-to-know-about-hemp-and-dogs/
To hear about ongoing studies on the use of Cannabis in dogs please visit:
csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/vth/veterinarians/clinical-trials/Pages/efficacy-of-cannabidiol-for-the-treatment-of-epilepsy-in-dogs.aspx
For links to recommended OTC Medical Grade Hemp Extracts please click on the following links:
innovetpet.com
www.DogHempCBD.com
