Medical Marijuana, CBD Oil, and Pets

Medical Marijuana, CBD Oil, and Pets

By Jim Young - Manager, Bellalago Veterinary Hospital

With the changing legality and rising use of Marijuana (both recreationally and medically) across the nation, we often get questions about its use in veterinary medicine.  People report anecdotal evidence that is not backed up by medical or scientific evidence.  Often times, in the rush to help our pets, the facts get forgotten.  Medical Marijuana, CBD oil, and other similar products may have medical benefit to pets (and we hope they do), but there are still many unknowns.  Let’s take a moment to focus on what we do know.

DISCLAIMER:  There are currently NO APPROVED OR RECOMMENDED USES in veterinary medicine for marijuana or THC-containing products.

1. THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana, is toxic to pets.  Exposure to THC (from smoke, ingestion, etc.) will result in a VERY sick pet.  THC causes neurologic toxicity in pets.  This is very different than in humans where it can create a “high.”  The symptoms of the toxicity are not enjoyable to animals.  THC is lipid (fat) soluble and can be released by the body from fat stores for days after exposure resulting in symptoms lasting days.  Additionally, animals’ livers process these compounds differently and can result in long-term health issues.  THC exposure in pets can result in death.
2. Marijuana is still illegal at the federal level.  It is listed as a DEA Schedule 1 drug making it illegal for veterinarians to prescribe it to their patients – even in states where it is legal for MDs to prescribe it to human patients.
3. Research in marijuana’s health benefits in animals is still in its infancy.  Studies out of Colorado State University, The University of Pennsylvania, and private studies are underway.  Some preliminary results may be encouraging for CBD oil in very specific cases, but researchers caution that the long-term health benefits and side-effects are still unknown.    Most of these studies used CBD oils with a small amount of THC present in them.  It should also be noted that these preliminary results are from a study of just a small number of dogs over a short period. Again, researchers caution that the effects of the exposure to THC is still unknown.  One study, still unpublished, out of Minnesota is claiming that CBD oils appear to have no health effects on dogs without THC being present.  This may mean that any potential benefit of marijuana use in animals may come at the cost of exposure to a known toxic substance.  As this study remains unpublished at this time, we have no way of knowing if this is accurate or not. 
4. A safe dosage for marijuana-based products including CBD oil has yet to be determined.  In fact, it is still unknown if there even is a safe dosage! 
5. The FDA and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) have both issued statements cautioning pet owners regarding marijuana-based products.  These warnings include the CBD oils and CBD chews currently being marketed to pet owners.  Additionally, the federal government does not recognize these products as being legal.
6. Many marijuana-based products do not contain what they say they contain.  Studies conducted on many CBD oils and THC products have shown that the concentrations are often inconsistent and often do not match the labelling.  This includes “THC free” CBD products which may still contain THC.  In fact, there is no federal definition as to what constitutes “THC Free” meaning that small or trace amounts of THC may knowingly still be present – even though manufacturers know THC to be toxic to pets.
7. CBD oils appear to be either toxic or ineffective.  If they contain THC, then the product may have serious side-effects.  These may be intensified with long-term exposure.  Or, remember the study above indicating THC is required for CBD oils to be effective, if the THC is not present, then CBD oils may not have any positive effect whatsoever! 

Medical marijuana may become the next big thing in veterinary medicine.  As of right now, we know that carefully-produced-in-a-laboratory CBD oils containing THC appears to have some short-term health benefits in very specific situations.  We do not know if these short-term benefits are outweighed by long-term side-effects.  Additionally, due to federal laws, it is illegal to prescribe the use of marijuana-containing substances – even if these substances are legal for humans and/or being marketed to pets.  Until further research is completed, giving your pet marijuana-based products including CBD oil means that you’re treating them like a test subject and possibly risking your pet’s life.  Until we know more about the safety, dosage, and efficacy, we strongly caution against the use of marijuana-based products including CBD oils until more information is known.

Finally, with the rise in recreational and medical marijuana use, there has been an increase in toxic events to pets from THC exposure.  We want to stress that we are NOT mandated reporters if your pet is exposed to an illegal substance.  In other words, if your pet comes in with marijuana toxicity symptoms, we are not required to report that to law enforcement.  Our duty is ensuring the well-being of your pet and our patient.  We need to know what toxic substance is causing the issues; therefore, we hope that you’ll be honest and upfront with us about possible causes knowing we will not report you.