Cannabis for veterinary use

Abstract

Medical cannabis is indicated in the management of nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and pain. Cannabis was proposed as an alternative medical treatment for a number of indications in humans such as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and Multiple Sclerosis. The aim of this study is to identify the potential use of cannabis in veterinary medicine and to assess the opinion of veterinary surgeons regarding its use in veterinary patients.

A literature review from 2010 to 2019 was conducted to identify the potential use of cannabis in animals. Google Scholar, PubMed, and Hydi were used to extract open access journal articles. Keywords applied in the study were cannabis, veterinary medicine, veterinary surgeons, animals, pharmacokinetics, safety, efficacy, side-effects, risks, indications, THC, and CBD.

The second phase of the study involved the development, validation and dissemination of a questionnaire. The questionnaire was intended for veterinary surgeons. Questions assessed views about safety, potential indications, issues, and barriers related to use of medicinal cannabis for veterinary purposes. The questionnaire was validated by an expert panel consisting of three pharmacists working in academia, a pharmacist working in the regulatory sector and a veterinary surgeon.

Twenty published experimental studies regarding the use of cannabis in animals were found; ten in rats, four in dogs, four in rodents, one in cats, and one in an unknown animal. Rats and dogs were the most utilised test animals in the studies found. Seizures, glaucoma, and pain due to cancer and inflammation were the most common conditions where cannabis is indicated. Increase in comfort and activity in dogs suffering from osteoarthritis was reported after receiving cannabidiol oil.

Eleven out of 155 registered veterinary surgeons have answered the questionnaire entitled, 'Cannabis for veterinary use'. Six out of eleven veterinary surgeons who participated in the survey think that cannabis can be beneficial and can be used in all animals, while five of them were not sure of the benefits that cannabis could give to animals. Two veterinary surgeons stated that cannabis is very safe for animal use, and three think that the application of cannabis is neither good nor bad in animals. Three veterinary surgeons stated that cannabis is safe for animal use while two others stated that it is not safe for veterinary patients. Only one veterinary surgeon stated that cannabis is not safe at all for veterinary use.

Data generated in this questionnaire shows that the most common conditions where cannabis can be indicated in animals are pain, anxiety, and loss of appetite. Potential barriers related to the use of cannabis for veterinary purposes were identified, including the need for education on the use of cannabis, limited knowledge regarding appropriate dosing, limited scientific evidence regarding safety and efficacy, adverse effects, and toxicity on the use of cannabis in veterinary practice.

Seven out of eleven veterinary surgeons stated that pet owners never ask them for advice on the use of cannabis as a treatment option for their pets. Six out of eleven veterinary surgeons stated that they are willing to collaborate with pharmacists inorder to deliver cannabis products that are of quality, safe, and effective for veterinary use; four were unsure and one stated that only veterinary surgeons can provide cannabis products to veterinary patients. This study will help shed light on the potential use of cannabis in animals. There is a need for better understanding on the issues related to the use of cannabis in veterinary medicine.