Written Materials

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.

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.

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.

After working as a veterinarian for the military, Dr. Casara Andre turned her focus to holistic medicine, with the hopes of achieving a more balanced approach to wellness than that provided by pharmaceuticals. This idea lead her to found Veterinary Cannabis Education & Consulting, which helps to educate both veterinarians and pet owners about the potential of CBD and cannabis-based medications.