Talking to Your Vet About Cannabis

If you have made the decision to introduce Cannabis as part of your fur bubbies’ (as I call my Jagger and Joplin!) wellness plan and attempted to get your veterinarian onboard, you may have been surprised to discover that they pumped the brakes on this idea. Hard. You ask yourself, “Self, if cannabis is so amazing, why, oh WHY is there resistance on this front?” The short answer: It is illegal for veterinarians to prescribe Cannabis for your pets. Yup, I know!! I was shocked too! This led me on a mission to find out if there was anyone on the front lines of trying to change this. After all, I have seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears, emotional testimonials of friends and clients, (as well as my own success story with Jaggy- Jops). Happily, I found a tremendous resource online, a company that was not only ready, willing and able to do tremendous hempducation for any and all veterinarian seeking guidance, but also getting right in the trenches of advocacy, education and hopefully pioneering movements that will impact legislation. They are Veterinary Cannabis Education and Consulting. A few months ago, I started to take classes under the tutelage of founder Dr. Casara Andre (DVM, cVMA) to become a Certified Cannabis Guide. The program goes hand in hand with my passion to “hempducate” my Delmarva Unleashed friends, as well as empowers me with information to better serve my own bubbies! I already knew the incredible benefits of introducing hemp to supplement our bodies, and our bubs,’ when (due to illness, age, environmental factors, accident or any other underlying or external factor) we are impaired in our body’s ability to produce its own CBD via our endocannabinoid system. I also knew of the fabulous phytocannabinoids found in hemp that mimic our own and how that brings our bodies to homeostasis. I thought myself pretty well versed in all things Cannabis. There was so much more to discover! To my delight, I kept learning more and more benefits about the humble hemp plant as my courses went along. The one thing that just echoes in my head and leaps to my lips daily as I meet new pet parents who are seeking information about CBD is Cytochrome P450. (Didi, whuuuut?!) Of all the things I learned, this one strikes me as vital information for all pet parents considering cannabis supplementation for their loved one. It is paramount if your bubby is already on medication, so let me get right to it, with the help of one of my famous analogies (you know I love me some analogies haha!) I have a daughter with autism. When we visit Disney, we go to guest services and get a wristband. With this wristband, my Nani can cut in line when she wants to take a ride. This is what CBD does in the body when you are already taking other medications, thanks to our good friend, the enzyme in the liver called (you guessed it!) Cytochrome P450. In a nutshell: when you take a traditionally prescribed medication, you may have noticed how it tells you to take it every so many hours, based on the half-life of the medicine in our body. Our lovely Cytochrome P450 is an enzyme in our liver responsible for metabolizing all medicines and supplements, we introduce, INCLUDING CBD… except, (analogy!) CBD cuts in line. CBD gets the wrist band that takes it straight to the front of the line. As a result, all other meds have to hang out in line (our body) for up to 60% longer, before being metabolized in the liver. OK, Didi, but what does that mean?

It means:

1) If you are already on medicines (or your bubs is on medicine), it is potentiated when you introduce CBD. Basically, because it has to hang out in the body up to 60% longer, it is bioavailable to your body for much longer than it typically would be. This is neither good NOR bad if you are aware of it, and your vet is aware of it so that adjustments in a treatment plan can be made, for harm reduction primarily.

2) Speaking of harm reduction: Because it is potentiated, the good news is, with the careful guidance of your veterinarian, you may be in the position to adjust in a sliding scale, the serving size of the medicine being given, to a smaller amount than typically would be needed, when the medicine is coupled with CBD. This is a benefit in several ways: 1) less medicine could suggest less side effects and 2) less medicine could mean less expense.

3) You are now armed with a powerful piece of information with which to request your veterinarian take a second look at Cannabis as part of your loved one’s wellness plan! I know what you are thinking: This flies in the face of what I said earlier about it being illegal for veterinarians to prescribe Cannabis. Yes, but see the keyword here: prescribe. He can’t. What he CAN do is lead the care team. What care team? You, (pet parent), the patient (your bubby), your veterinarian, and a Veterinary Cannabis Guide (such as myself once I complete certification – which by the way, I need to do 6 case studies, please email me at MayIHempU@gmail. com if you are interested in being one of my 6 for more information and to schedule a consult). As part of your Team, we can together put a plan in place that is pawfect for your bub’s specific needs, conditions and current medicines, while being completely legal, medically and financially sound for your peace of mind on all fronts. Once you have made the decision to introduce Cannabis in any way to your loved one’s wellness plan, be it for general health or to address more serious or chronic needs, you can rest easier knowing you are not alone in “Cannaland.” There are resources like Dr. Andre’s website, and “tour guides” like me. I am happy to help you navigate this journey. You have an ally here, ready to serve you. For more information about the Veterinary Cannabis Guide role and how it can help to have a liaison when speaking to your veterinarian, please reach out to me or visit VeterinaryCannabis.org As always, remember, I am not here to offer medical advice, nor would I ever discourage you from seeking it from your medical professional or holistic provider of choice. I do not claim to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition, but I do aim to hempducate and support your desire to introduce CBD in your own terms, at your own pace, in your wellness plans for yourself and your furry family members!