Cannabis treatments for animals – Interview with vet Pilar Prados Linares

Veterinary treatments with cannabis are still taking their first steps in our society. It is a sensitive and controversial issue, since the protagonists are beings that can not decide for themselves, that are under our responsibility. However, it seems that this type of medicine, when used in a responsible way and following the advice of a vet, offers hope for some animals.

Mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and fish have an endocannabinoid system, just like us humans. This means that they have the same CB-1 and CB-2 cannabinoid receptors as us, throughout the body: brain, organs, connective tissues, immune cells and glands; and produce endocannabinoids naturally. Allyn Howlett and William Devane discovered the first cannabinoid receptor in the brain of a rat.

This means that these animals, just like humans, can complete the endocannabinoids that your body produces naturally with the active components of the plant, more than 85 unique cannabinoids. For example, successful cases of CBD treatment for nausea, vomiting, anxiety disorders, neurodegenerative diseases or hyperactivity are known. and of course, without any psychoactive effect. It is therefore important that they are under the supervision of a vet.

To learn more about how animals react to cannabis treatment, we have contacted an experienced veterinary professional who currently uses CBD medication with some of her furry patients. Vet Pilar Prados Linares attended us at her clinic in Otura, Granada.

Kannabia: As a vet, you are using CBD treatments in your consultations. Tell us what types of medication or medications you use.

Pilar Prados Linares: I use CroniCare.

According to the CroniCare brochure, this a 100% natural complementary food for dogs and cats, which is formulated with fish oil, cannabis extract and contains a very low percentage of THC.

Kannabia: For what pathologies is this type of treatment indicated?

Pilar Prados Linares: Nutritional support, cases of chronic pain, anxiety, cognitive dysfunction, inflammation, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, sleep disturbances, stress …

Kannabia: I imagine that it is not a very popular treatment yet, due to the stigma of the plant. Do you think that in the world of medicine there is still a way to go?

Pilar Prados Linares: Yes, a very long way. I think there has been a great advance in medicine, but there is still much more to discover.

Kannabia: Do you know any other colleagues who are using this type of cannabis treatment?

Pilar Prados Linares: No, I don’t know of any other colleagues using this product. It is very new and veterinarians tend to keep using what has always worked for them.

Kannabia: How did you discover this type of treatment and why did you decide to try it?

Pilar Prados Linares: I was presented it at the clinic and I decided to try it to see how it would go, especially in the cases of chronic pain that I had.

Kannabia: Can you share the case of an animal that you have treated with this medicine with us?

Pilar Prados Linares: Almost all the cases in which I use it are animals with chronic osteoarticular problems, for which i can do no more than control pain.

Kannabia: Is there any difference between the endocannabinoid system of a dog or a cat and humans?

Pilar Prados Linares: I can’t tell you, because I don’t know about humans.

Kannabia: I imagine that as with all medical treatments, we must be very careful with the dose of these substances according to the animal.

Pilar Prados Linares: CroniCare is made up of Omega 3 fatty acids, from fish oil, which have great anti-inflammatory power and support cognitive function. The cannabis extract has been shown to have a powerful anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant and neuroprotective effect. Since CroniCare does not contain THC, no toxic side effects are expected at a psychotropic level.

Kannabia: What possibilities does it have as a medicine?

Pilar Prados Linares: For analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant uses, CroniCare can be used as a supplement or co-adjuvant in chronic pain treatments, articular problems (arthritis, osteoarthritis …), autoimmune diseases, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, elderly dogs, stroke and epilepsy.

On the other hand, due to its anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects, it can be administered in cases of anxiety, stress, mother separation anxiety, sleep disturbance or behavioral disorders. Always consult your vet or health professional, they know your pet better than anyone and can advise you at all times.