The medical use of cannabinoids in cats and dogs aged or sick animals helps them regain their appetite, relieve pain, achieve better rest, and a better mobility. The medical cannabis is also a reality in veterinary medicine in Italy, although there are still few doctors who know about it and prescribe it.
The importance of the veterinarian is related to the fact that hemp is now found everywhere, on the Internet or in a grow shop, regardless. It is important that those who purchase it through these channels do not know what type of product they have bought, and moreover, not knowing the dosages, they run a random risk; if the product is under-dosed, it may not reach the correct and effective dose, leading to discontinuation of treatment prematurely. Therefore, it is essential to have a good understanding of hemp in order to use it, as there are different types, each with properties that distinguish them from one another.
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Generally speaking, we can trace two groups of cannabis depending on whether they contain THC or not, the psychoactive component of the plant.
Both can be used when the action of CBD alone is not sufficient. The limitations of its use are the cost (it is a pharmaceutical-grade medication), supply difficulties, and potential side effects.
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The matter is simpler in the case of CBD, starting from the cost of therapy, which is much cheaper. It is essential to use the phytocomplex (that is, the whole plant) and not just the crystals: clinical studies have shown that by increasing only CBD, a point is reached where it no longer works, whereas with the phytocomplex, the effect is maintained over time. This is because a large number of other substances come into play, such as terpenes (which also have therapeutic activities), flavonoids, alkaloids, and chlorophylls, totaling over 700 substances (many of which still do not have a known mechanism of action).
Depending on the administration of other therapies, it is also necessary to adjust the dosage because many medications could interfere with the action of cannabinoids (for example, the concomitant use of diuretics leads to the elimination of CBD in the urine).
Cannabinoids should be administered between meals and other medications (at least two hours apart). It can be given with certain foods, with a minimum treatment duration of at least one month, a duration that also varies depending on the disease; for example, in the case of arthritis, treatment is lifelong, while for forms of neuritis, treatment is shorter. The dosage varies based on the animal’s response, starting from a low dose (a few drops) initially and gradually increasing in the following days.
The most common conditions for which to use CBD are:
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Tumors
- Epilepsy
- Neuritis
- Anxiety and stress
- Neurological diseases
The use of a certified product with an analysis sheet, a certification from an external laboratory confirming the quality of the CBD present, as well as the possible quantity of other cannabinoids (such as THC, for example) and certifying the absence of metals, pesticides, molds, and toxic substances; all this because they can lead to accumulations in the body of the treated animal, such as heavy metals, in the case of prolonged use.
CBD is carried in an MCT oil (composed of medium-chain triglycerides), this oil has excellent solvent capabilities against lipophilic substances, allowing the CBD to be delivered for oral, topical, and transdermal formulations.
Dr. Paolo Calliero Pharmacist
© 2019 Farmacigalenici.it The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the doctor-patient relationship in any way. It is therefore recommended to consult your physician before implementing any advice or indication reported.
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