Update: What You and Your Clients Should Know About CBD Products

Amy Shojai, Fear Free Certified Professional

While medicinal hemp products have not been subject to rigorous FDA oversight, many pet product companies tout multiple health benefits for pets. In addition to potential health claims, the anxiety-reducing potential offers an attractive “natural” option for the pet parent with fearful pets. Fear Free veterinarians may be asked to discuss or even recommend hemp treats and supplement products for clients.

Rob Silver, DVM, a holistic veterinarian and founder of http://nurseyourpet.com, and veterinary pain specialist Robin Downing, DVM, from https://downingcenter.com weigh in on the subject. Updates have been provided from Stephen Cital, RVT, SRA, RLAT, VCCS, CVPP, VTS- LAM (Res. Anesthesia), director of education and development at www.ellevetsciences.com.

Hemp Data for Pets?

Unfortunately, few studies offer clear guidance for veterinarians, which makes species-appropriate recommendations nearly impossible. Dr. Downing believes that “whole plant” extracts versus single-agent extracts should be further examined.

Joe Wakshlag, DVM, at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, has completed a CBD study that demonstrated pain reduction in dogs with osteoarthritis. Cital says that while not clinically significant, ALP increases were noted for animals in the study that were on NSAIDS at the same time, and that a CSU study saw the same thing, along with diarrhea. Dr. Downing says important details about the formulation, manufacture, certificate of analysis, and sourcing of raw material must be determined, but feels hopeful and excited by the results.

At least five published studies using phytocannabinoid-rich hemp products show bioavailability in both dogs and cats, Cital says, with evidence suggesting better bioavailability of CBD products when given with a meal. He says it is also critical to understand that pharmacokinetic studies from product to product will vary depending on the concentration of the product’s phytocannabinoid constituents, carrier oil, and dose.

Auburn University has data (as yet unpublished) on theoretical drug interactions that have not proven to manifest in the clinical setting. The slow dissemination of these studies can leave veterinarians without up-to-date clinical advice, making recommendations of CBD products a guessing game. This is complicated by legal issues, which vary from state to state. Absent or conflicting messaging veterinarians receive from state VMAs or VMBs further confounds the situation.

Confusing Hemp and Cannabis Terms

“Consumer knowledge is not very technical. Marijuana, cannabis, hemp: these are all definitions that depend on the use and the content of THC,” says Dr. Silver.

The word “marijuana” refers to the cannabis plant that contains the psychotropic component tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is a controlled substance. In contrast, “hemp” refers to the industrial cannabis product used for rope, textiles, and other products. Hemp may contain no more than 0.3 percent of THC.

Both marijuana and hemp are members of the cannabis family of plants. The flowers of this plant may contain more than 100 different cannabinoids. CBD oil most commonly appears in pet hemp supplements.

Complicated Marijuana Drug Laws

The law ties veterinarians’ hands because marijuana is not legal in most states and is still illegal at the federal level. “Any investigator who is funded by federal monies runs the risk of having that funding withdrawn if they are found to be in violation of federal law [e.g., assessing products that remain illegal at the national level],” says Dr. Downing.

With the passage of the Farm Bill of 2018, hemp products no longer fall under the same legal restrictions as marijuana. As of January 2020, California is the first and only state that has adopted laws protecting veterinarians from being penalized for discussing the use of marijuana with clients for their pets. They are, however, restricted from profiting by recommendation of a marijuana product. On the other hand, most states don’t forbid or discourage veterinarians from discussing use of hemp products with pet owners.

It is important for veterinarians to read their state’s actual law. Cital says that when discussing hemp animal supplements, “Veterinarians must also understand these products, just like any other supplement we already use, do not require a prescription. The product we carry in our practice must not make unfounded health claims.” He adds that pet parents are best served by discussing such products first with their veterinarian. Companies with clinical or safety data should be considered first for safety and liability reasons.

What Veterinarians Can Say to Pet Parents

Veterinarians understandably feel frustrated. “We know that our patients have the ‘lock’ mechanism that is built for the ‘key’ of the cannabinoids, and that with this tool we may be able to ‘unlock’ important pain issues,” says Dr. Downing. “Yet, we also have an ethical obligation to adhere to best practices, and that means knowing that what we give our patients is safe and effective. At the moment the challenges of this issue leave us in limbo.”

Dr. Silver suggests consumers should watch for specific red flags on cannabis products, such as misspelled words on the label or no phone number to call to ask question. There should also be some indication of strength of formulation, with recommended dosage.

Pet parents can also look for a certificate of analysis. “This is a way for a producer to affirm and assure the public that what they produce is consistent, not contaminated, and has a specific concentration of active ingredients,” says Dr. Downing. “Reliable companies are interested in acquiring and repeating independent analyses.”

This article was reviewed/edited by board-certified veterinary behaviorist Dr. Kenneth Martin and/or veterinary technician specialist in behavior Debbie Martin, LVT.

Amy Shojai (www.SHOJAI.com) is an IAABC-certified behavior consultant (cats/dogs), and Fear Free certified pet care expert. She’s the award-winning author of more than 30 pet care titles including MY CAT HATES MY VET and MY DOG HATES MY VET: Foiling Fear Before, During & After Vet Visits.
 

 

 

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