As a cannabis educator who tackles issues for both people and their pets, I’m used to fielding questions on a wide range of cannabis-related topics. Nevertheless, I was recently asked about a topic that struck me by surprise…that is, the growing concern among some pet owners regarding the question of toxicity of CBD (cannabidiol) and if they need to be worried. This was shocking to me, because those of us in the cannabis industry largely regard CBD as being relatively safe. However, if the concern exists, there must be a reason. So what gives? Do pet owners really need to worry? Is CBD toxicity a thing? While many pet parents are using CBD products in their pets without issue, others are wondering “could CBD cause toxicity in my pet?” Allow me to address this issue and alleviate some of these concerns…
In the past year, the veterinary profession has seen a huge spike in interest, and thus information, about the potential therapeutic use of cannabinoids. This increase in media and institutional attention mirrors the widespread legalization of cannabis as it spreads through the nation, and indeed, the world. A milestone event that propelled this uptick in interest was the passing of the 2018 Agricultural Improvement Act, aka the Farm Bill.1 This legislative victory was a game changer for this industry.
With the growing number of states legalizing the use of cannabis, access to products is becoming easier and more widespread. Unfortunately, with increased accessibility, there’s also been an increased incidence of accidental exposure to cannabis products in children, as well as pets. In fact, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center noted that in the first few months of 2019 there was a 765 percent increase in calls about marijuana ingestion by animals, compared to the same period the year before.
In the last article, we discussed inflammatory conditions in general and their devastating effects on the body. This month’s topic is inflammation within the musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, and muscles), one of the most commonly affected body systems for this disease process.
There are multiple inflammatory conditions associated with the 3 major components of the musculoskeletal system, and in general terms, they are referred to as osteomyelitis (bones), arthritis (joints), and myositis (muscles). Some well-known examples of these in people are fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Inflammatory syndromes include a wide range of diseases and conditions, but they are all share the characteristic of unregulated and uncontrollable inflammation within the body. Scores of humans and their pets suffer from this chronic disease state, many with ineffective or disappointing treatment results. The array of conditions falling under this umbrella is so vast, it includes diagnoses ranging from allergies to cancer.
As a cannabis educator and writer, much of my time is spent researching this hotly debated topic. During the countless hours spent reading publications about cannabis and pets, I am always dismayed to read unqualified statements such as “THC is toxic to dogs” or “Avoid products containing any THC.” These statements are misleading and, at the very least, need to be clarified. To make this claim without any qualification or description only leads to confusion. In fact, in a recently published veterinary research paper, the author specifically stated “THC is toxic to dogs” in the introduction, and yet, the product utilized in the study contained THC.
In today’s busy world, people suffer from a wide array of anxiety and stress-related conditions. From my clinical experience, it’s clear that anxiety and behavioral disorders, unfortunately, plague the pet world as well. In pets, anxiety comes in many different forms; the common fear of thunderstorms and fireworks, the fear of going to the veterinarian’s office, and stress when separated from familiar people or environments, just to name a few. While a complete discussion of behavioral conditions in pets is beyond the scope of this article, one of the most common disorders in this category is separation anxiety.
In today’s busy world, people suffer from a wide array of anxiety and stress-related conditions. From my clinical experience, it’s clear that anxiety and behavioral disorders, unfortunately, plague the pet world as well. In pets, anxiety comes in many different forms; the common fear of thunderstorms and fireworks, the fear of going to the veterinarian’s office, and stress when separated from familiar people or environments, just to name a few. While a complete discussion of behavioral conditions in pets is beyond the scope of this article, one of the most common disorders in this category is separation anxiety.
For decades, veterinarians in clinical practice have known about the abnormal sensitivity of Collies and similar breeds to certain deworming medications. When ivermectin was introduced in the 1980’s, it was hailed as a miracle drug. However, veterinarians soon discovered that the recommended dose would be safe and effective in most breeds, yet deadly in others. As a result, and due to a lack of understanding for the reason behind this scenario, the old adage, ‘white feet, don’t treat’ was used by many practitioners. However, simple appearance alone was not a reliable indicator for predicting adverse reactions.
The decision to investigate the potential use of cannabis as a treatment option for your pet is a personal one. However, as in any situation where your pet’s health is concerned, it is prudent to have an open line of communication with your pet’s health care team.
Therefore, I believe the first step in the practical use of cannabis for any pet should be the conversation with your veterinarian. This important step is one of the hardest for the average pet owner to accomplish. While questions regarding other aspects of veterinary care are routine and easy, the discussion surrounding cannabis seems to be intimidating for pet parents. Whether due to the stigma involved, the risk of rejection, or simple embarrassment, the fear is real. There are many pet parents who feel that their veterinary team will not support or agree with their decision, and this can lead to frustration and irritation. In some cases, past negative experiences may force pet owners to seek information elsewhere, sometimes from unreliable sources.
