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GM #WeedCash Brothers you are also passionate about your pets?
With people paying more and more attention to the quality of life of their pets, medical cannabis treatments for our pets are becoming more and more accessible and common.
What does research tell us today? Can cannabis be useful for treating my pet?
Used by mankind for thousands of years, the popularity of medicinal Cannabis grows exponentially nowadays, becoming the new commodity of the pharmaceutical market in countries that follow science. Leveraged by the discovery of the Endocannabinoid System in the 60's, which elucidates how marijuana compounds act in the body, marijuana has been the subject of several studies that demonstrate its effectiveness in the treatment of various conditions of the most varied types.
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Promising research and scientific reports inspired by studies in human medicine already show us beneficial effects in the treatment of glaucoma, inflammatory processes, epilepsy, chronic pain, dermatological disorders, cancer patients and osteoarthritis in dogs and cats. The treatments, which show little or almost no side effects, arouse interest in cannabis therapy on the part of pet owners who are increasingly concerned about the quality of life of their pets.
The use of medical cannabis is not just limited to companion animals, it can also be used in production animals. A study revealed that broilers fed with hemp seeds showed better carcass development, cattle fed with hemp seed pie had greater weight gain and in horses its application has been explored in pain control, such as mechanical allodynia.
The ways of using medical marijuana in Veterinary or pastoral production are varied, ranging from ointments, eye drops and extracts in oil for oral route (most common) to the use of seeds in the form of feed.
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WHAT SURVEYS TELL US TODAY? CAN CANNABIS BE USEFUL TO TREAT MY PET?
Companion animals have many human-like illnesses that can be treated with cannabis. Just like humans, animals also have an endocannabinoid system, an endogenous system that has specific cell receptors for molecules found in cannabis.
#Cannabidiol (CBD) is a molecule derived from the Cannabis plant that has no psychoactive effects and is currently the most relevant substance in the field of medicinal Cannabis in the world.
ANALGESIC
#CBD has anxiolytic, antipsychotic, neuroprotective and anticonvulsant properties and is already widely used as an alternative to opioids, which are the most commonly used analgesics in veterinary routine. CBD has greater analgesic potency and does not have the side effects arising from opioid treatments, such as nausea, sedation and chemical dependence.
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REFRACTORY EPILEPSY
Epilepsy is the pathology that presents the best results with cannabis #phytotherapy in veterinary practice, demonstrating a beneficial effect in more than 50% of cases and with very few side effects, the most common of which is drowsiness.
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ANXIETY DISORDERS
The intimacy of pets with their tutors leading to the “humanization” of these animals can trigger anxiogenic disorders: yes, your pet can suffer from anxiety and depression. Studies using CBD in the treatment of anxiety disorders show that in addition to promoting anxiolytic and antipsychotic effects in animals and humans, CBD does not produce significant side effects or chemical dependence. In addition, CBD, unlike THC, has no psychoactive properties and produces effects similar to drugs such as diazepam and haloperidol.
Given this scenario, the need for new less aggressive therapeutic approaches increasingly demanded by tutors becomes emerging. In Brazil, there are already associations that produce and sell cannabis-based products legally for pets, requiring a veterinary prescription. For importation, as there is no specific regulation, authorization for the dispensation of Cannabis-based products must comply with existing regulations for human use.
The problem is that there are few veterinarians in Brazil who are trained for a phytotherapic follow-up with Cannabis, which is not enough to meet the demand. Under slow steps, this reality is changing: an example is the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), which has already joined the discipline of Endocannabinology in the curriculum of veterinary medicine.
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VETERINARIANS STILL LIVE BETWEEN THE LAW
Legally, any veterinarian can prescribe Cannabis, however, an in-depth study is needed on this complex therapy that few dare to face. By law, any veterinarian can perform surgery, however, all those who seek to work in this area specialize in performing it, which is no different with cannabis herbal medicine. With the explosion of articles published in 2020 in this research niche, the interest of veterinarians and academic research in medical marijuana has grown.
Although demand has increased considerably, there is no guideline that regulates this type of medication in MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply) and CFMV (Federal Council of Veterinary Medicine). Therefore, there is no law that prohibits or regulates this veterinary indication. The professional code of ethics of the veterinarian presents excerpts that can serve as support in these cases, for example:
Art. 6 of the MV duties:
I – Continuously improve their knowledge and use the best of scientific progress for the benefit of animals, man and the environment;
Art. 7 of the MV rights:
IV – Prescribe treatment that it deems most appropriate, as well as use the human and material resources it deems necessary for the performance of its activities;
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It is in this limbo of the law that the veterinary professional proceeds. PL 369/21 is currently being processed in the Chamber of Deputies, which allows the veterinary use of industrialized products derived from Cannabis, provided that they are previously authorized by Anvisa. The project, which requires regulation to properly support the veterinary professional, has the support of the CFMV.
With advances in science, a new cycle of using #Cannabis as a medicine is born, much more specific and consistent than in the past. The therapies and remedies developed from marijuana seek to bring effective and less harmful treatment alternatives than conventional ones, with the aim of improving the quality of life of veterinary patients. In addition, the use of medicinal Cannabis in veterinary medicine opens a new field of activity for professionals in the area, generating new professional and financial opportunities, as well as bringing quality of life to our beloved pets.