AVMA publishes cannabis resource for membersJanuary 12, 2018A new document available exclusively to American Veterinary Medical Association members provides comprehensive background information to help veterinary professionals understand the legal aspects of cannabis use in animals; field questions and advise clients who are interested in marijuana therapies for their pets; and identify toxic exposures. Cannabis: What Veterinarians Need to Know addresses such topics as the legal status of medicinal marijuana in veterinary medicine, how cannabinoids function, marijuana risks to pets, clinical signs and treatment of acute marijuana toxicosis, and effects of chronic marijuana exposure. Available on the Cannabis Use and Pets page of the AVMA's website, the document is the first in a series of related materials the association is developing as a resource for its members. Future tools will include information on medicinal marijuana in pets, and educational materials clinicians can share directly with clients.
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UC Davis launches survey on the use of cannabis products for petsNovember 17, 2017The University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine has launched a survey to learn more about the use of cannabis products on pets. "With the increasing use of medical cannabis and the start of recreational use [in California] in January, the interest in using it for pets has really grown," said Jamie Peyton, DVM, chief of small animal integrative medicine at UC Davis and the primary researcher behind the study. "The goal of the survey is to start the conversation about the use of hemp and cannabis products for pets." More pet owners are asking veterinarians about cannabis use for their companion animals, but vets currently are not allowed to prescribe or recommend cannabis products for pets, Dr. Peyton said. The anonymous online survey asks basic information about the pet and about its medical history, and includes questions about the type of marijuana products the pet owner administers, the reason for using the product, and how often it is administered. The final question asks if the respondent would involve their pet in a study of marijuana products for pets. The goal of the survey is to inform future research. "There's no published, peer-reviewed study on …
AKC Canine Health Foundation funds clinical trial to study cannabidiol in treating drug-resistant epilepsy in dogsSeptember 14, 2017By Veterinary Practice News Editors The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), which has funded more than $2 million for canine epilepsy research, launched an initiative in 2017 to further understand the most common neurological disorder that affects pure- and mixed-breed dogs. Improved treatments are urgently needed, especially for dogs with drug-resistant epilepsy or where side effects of currently available drugs are not tolerated, according to the organization. To that, the CHF has announced the beginning a major clinical trial to study the use of cannabidiol to treat drug resistant epilepsy in dogs. Stephanie McGrath, MS, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology), at Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, will lead "Efficacy of Cannabidiol (CBD) for the Treatment of Canine Epilepsy." According to Dr. McGrath, up to 30 percent of dogs receiving standard anti-epileptic therapy remain uncontrolled for their seizures, and the side effects of the antiepileptic drugs are often unacceptable. CBD, a nonpsychotropic component of the Cannabis sativa plant, has been shown to have anticonvulsant properties; this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial study will be utilized to prove its effectiveness, she stated. "The timeliness and importance of research into the role of cannabis in …
Cannabis-based remedies lack reliable clinical evidence for veterinary useAugust 9, 2017Medical marijuana for humans has been a hot topic for many years. Much of the debate about it has focused on ethical and legal issues that aren’t directly answerable through scientific research. Participants in these debates often gravitate toward ideological extremes.
Cannabis for brain tumors?June 16, 2016Questions about cannabis, including its risks, benefits and legality, just keep coming. Fortunately, as data accrue, evidence is growing that can support and inform our recommendations regarding cannabis, both pro and con.
Why there is much to learn about cannabis, cancerDecember 2, 2015The search for plant-based cancer cures turns up exciting prospects such as curcumin (from the Indian spice turmeric) and medicinal mushrooms from Asia. Scientific research is highlighting myriad mechanisms of each of these promising plants, finding pro-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory and immune-enhancing benefits.
The latest on cannabis and hemp for petsSeptember 29, 2015While sales staffs in marijuana dispensaries seem to serve as de facto guides to the medicinal preparations, most workers at the counter possess neither a medical or veterinary background nor license to practice.
FAQ: What you need to know about hemp and dogsApril 10, 2015Confused about hemp for dogs? You’re not alone. The state of affairs around cannabis for companion animals might be summarized as, “If you’re not confused, you’re not asking enough questions.”
Cannabis for intractable epilepsyDecember 3, 2014Chances are, if you treat patients with seizures, you have encountered a certain percentage whose seizures you just can’t control, even with multiple medications.
