Resource Available About Cannabis Use in Animals

Resource Available About Cannabis Use in Animals

The American Veterinary Medical Association published a comprehensive resource guide to the latest scientific and regulatory information about cannabis-related products for animals.

“Veterinarians face a wide variety of challenges and questions when it comes to cannabis and pets,” said Douglas Kratt, DVM, the president of the AVMA. “This resource guide, compiled by experts from within veterinary medicine and outside of it, will help clinicians get the answers they need,” Dr. Kratt said, adding that with the research and regulatory landscape evolving rapidly, the report will be updated regularly.

Information in “Cannabis in Veterinary Medicine” includes:

• An introduction to the endogenous endocannabinoid system

• A synopsis of manufacturing quality

• A review of animal clinical studies exploring efficacy and safety

• Information about potential adverse effects (including data around exposures and toxicoses 3. from poison control centers)

• A description of the current regulatory landscape

The use of CBD-rich hemp and other cannabinoids is exploding with little evidence for efficacy in animals or even if they absorb these “interesting molecules,” said Joe Wakshlag, DVM, a professor of clinical nutrition and sports medicine and rehabilitation at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, during a session about their use at the recent AVMA convention.

The cannabis resource guide is available to AVMA members at https://www.avma.org/system/files/2020-08/ Cannabis-in-veterinary-medicine-AVMA.pdf. MeV