Cannabis for Pets 101 with Katherine Kramer, DVM
True Life Medicine International Veterinary Advisory Board Founding Chair VCA-Canada Vancouver Animal Wellness Hospital Medical Director
Cannabis Components Over 500 unique compounds ❖ Phytocannabinoids (over 100) ❖ ❖ Terpenes (~200) Flavonoids (~23) ❖ And more! ❖ Essential fatty acids ➢ ➢ Amino Acids Carbohydrates ➢ Vitamins ➢ 18 trace mineral elements ‘The Entourage Effect’ ➢
The Endocannabinoid System ❖ A group of endogenous cannabinoid receptors located in the mammalian brain and throughout the central & peripheral nervous system ❖ Ubiquitous to vertebrates ❖ Endocannabinoids Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids ➢ Act as neuromodulators ➢ ❖ Receptors CB1 & CB2: brain and immune system CB4, CB 6 ➢
THC: affinity for CB1 receptors CBD: little affinity for CB1 or CB2 receptors; acts through interactions with serotonin receptors, peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARS), vanilloid receptors and others.
Endocannabinoid system dependent activities Nervous system repair/maintenance Pain management Inflammation Apoptosis Carcinogenesis Appetite Metabolism Pruritus Emesis Cognition Emotional memory Motor behavior Sensory Anxiety Inhibit cell growth Exert pro-inflammatory actions Neuroendocrine processes (induce hypotension, bradycardia) Enhance migration of eosinophils, PMNS, NK T cells (all important in early stages of inflammation)
Potential Health Benefits Arthritis ❖ Seizures ❖ Cancer & cancer related pain ❖ Allergies ❖ Inflammatory Bowel Disease ❖ Anxiety ❖ Cardiac disease (hypertension) ❖ Diabetes ❖ Vomiting ❖ Asthma ❖ Glaucoma ❖
Limitations ❖ Lack of companion animal studies: dosing, absorption, drug interactions ❖ Potential side effects: lethargy, soft stool, increased bowel movement frequency, vomiting, itching, anxiety ❖ Quality control/reliable products ❖ LEGAL STATUS
PLEASE CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN BEFORE GIVING ANY CANNABIS PRODUCTS TO YOUR PET
Selecting a product... Amount of CBD in the product ❖ Preparation: whole plant, isolate, distillation, solvent extracted... ❖ Ratio of CBD:THC ❖ Organic, non GMO ❖ Certificate of Analysis ❖ Cannabinoids ➢ Herbicides/Fungicides/Insecticides ➢ Microbial & Residual Solvent testing ➢ Other ingredients that may be harmful to pets: xylitol, alcohol… ❖ Good Manufacturing Practices ❖ Canadian Association of Veterinary Cannabinoid Medicine (cavcm.ca) ❖
Pearls of Wisdom ❖ PLEASE talk to your vet! ❖ Carefully choose your product! ❖ Start low, go slow!
Questions?? media@trueleaf.com
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