Even though buying and using marijuana became legal in Ontario in October 2018, it is not legal for anyone other than a medical doctor or nurse practitioner to prescribe it. That means veterinarians are not able to prescribe or recommend the use of CBD in their patients. An believe me; this is a very hot topic right now. People are jumping on the CBD bandwagon, assuming it is the cure for practically everything. They are giving it to their pets already but want some dosage advice. When they ask me, I have to turn them away. It’s frustrating for all of us, but I understand why it has to be this way for now.
We don’t know enough about CBD use in animals yet. The liver processes CBD. So what effect will be experienced if your dog has liver disease? Or if it is already on a medication that is metabolized by the liver? Will it increase or decrease the effects of CBD? And what about the other drug? Will it be more or less effective? Interactions? We just don’t know. Research is being done, and soon we will have doses, instructions and probably even licensed veterinary products. We will have a deeper understanding of how it works and how it interacts with other drugs.
CBD is not a cure-all, miracle medicine, but it is going to be very useful in many diseases and behaviour processes. For now, we’re going to have to contain our excitement and wait until the experts have done extensive research and the red tape is rolled up and put away.
If you have any questions, please give us a call at 905-689-8005.
Written by: Dr. Jennifer Merry, DVM
