phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES MARCH 17TH– MARCH 23RD, 2022 State Licensed Dispensaries & Doctor Certifications | CANNABIS | Pupdate from p 63 whole life, which has caused a lot of joint pain.” The chews were recommended to Weldon by a friend, and she decided to try them. Both Weldon and Skye seem to be pleased with the results and are out for their afternoon stroll. Veterinarian influence over pet CBD usage has also become more prevalent in recent years. According to the Brightfield Group report, the number of consumers discussing CBD brands with their vet doubled to 31 percent in 2021, marking a significant interest in these products. With the exception of the state of Michigan which passed a law in 2020 allowing veterinarians to consult with pet owners about the benefits of CBD, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not allow products containing CBD to be sold under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. “Veterinarians cannot bring up the topic of pet CBD,” the Brightfield report explains, “but they can enthusiastically express what CBD has done for other pets.” According to the American Kennel Club, the official registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the U.S., the benefits for CBD are wide-ranging but most often used for its anti-inflammatory properties, cardiac benefits, anti-nausea effects, and appetite stimulation. Its website states that side effects from CBD in dogs include dry mouth, low blood pressure, and drowsiness, and suggests following the proper dosage of CBD to minimize any potential problems. A recent randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study suggests that CBD may help dogs with canine osteoar- thritis, an inflammatory condition that affects their mobility. The study, published in the journal PAIN in September 2020, included 20 large dogs who were diagnosed with osteoarthritis and randomly assigned to receive a placebo or one of three different CBD options over four weeks. The study found that CBD significantly decreased pain and increased mobility among animals with osteoarthritis. A similar randomized, blind placebo- controlled study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2019 found that a significant reduction in seizure frequency was achieved for some dogs with epilepsy. There is sparse data on CBD for cats, so interpreting research results in dogs is sometimes necessary. According to PetMD, with special attention on proper dosage, CBD is as safe for cats as it is for dogs. Outside of cats and dogs — and even horses — in the forms of oils, chews, and treats, scientific studies are lacking to underpin the benefits of CBD for other animals. Despite federal legislation on CBD, many veterinarians still provide consultation with pet parents on the possible benefits of CBD. According to Brightfield’s report, which surveyed 1,550 pet owners, 70 percent of pet CBD buyers discussed pet CBD with their veterinarian in 2021, and 85 percent received an enthusiastic response. But while CBD popularity grows among pet owners, many are still wary. “Anything that they’re trying to extrapo- late from human medicine you gotta be concerned about,” says Dr. Gary Thrasher of Hereford Veterinary Clinic, who has been in the business for 51 years. “Getting the right dose is important, and a little more can be catastrophic.” He’s witnessed animals die from over- dosing on plant-based medicine that is typi- cally safe to consume in appropriate doses. One Phoenix-based CBD dispensary, azWHOLEistic, says that pet CBD should be no different from the CBD that humans use for their own nutritional benefit, but simply at a lower dose. The dispensary stresses the fact that pets and THC are not friends and can cause an imbalance in brain chemistry for dogs, and may cause neuroinflammation. Caring for a pet’s anxiety or sore bones is important, but it’s crucial to keep them away from our own supply of cannabis. According to a 2018 topical review in the Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, the most common source of THC exposure for pets is their owner’s supply. The review stated that the minimum lethal oral dose of THC for dogs is more than 3 grams per kilogram of body weight. The lethal dose of THC for cats has yet to be studied. While no lethal dose of CBD has been recorded, it’s important to keep personal stashes away from curious pets. The FDA is steadfast in its disapproval of CBD for pets as the government cannot ensure the safety or effectiveness of such products. So CBD remains an unregulated medicine that allows states to determine their own laws; in Arizona and 31 other states, CBD is legal for purchase. However, vets can only discuss its usage and can’t actually prescribe it. Research from Brightfield Group shows that 90 percent of surveyed pet owners who buy pet CBD agree that vets should be allowed to prescribe it. Pet owners get their most trusted insight from local vets, but until the FDA provides further deregu- lation for CBD, they are finding ways to make it work for their pets. 65
