It’s a product that could provide pain relief for your pet, but your veterinarian isn’t allowed to tell you about it.
Some local pet owners are using cannabidiol (CBD) oil to bring animals relief from pain and anxiety.
Jacksonville pet rescue president Tracey Sparagis gives CBD capsules, oil or biscuits to every dog that comes through Chow Chow Rescue Society.
The products are made with hemp, which contains high levels of CBD.
Her dogs are not getting high.
#Cannabis oil could bring your pet relief from pain and anxiety, but your veterinarian isn’t allowed to tell you about it. #ANJaxInvestigates pot for pets at 5:45 on CBS47 @ActionNewsJax. #CBD pic.twitter.com/acztt1a6sj
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) May 10, 2018
CBD contains little to no THC, which is the psychoactive component of marijuana.
“Zeus only likes to have it in cheese,” said Sparagis, hiding a CBD capsule in a blob of spray cheese on her finger, then feeding it to the chow chow.
Zeus was diagnosed with glaucoma in 2014.
“We started him on the Canna-Pet immediately when he was diagnosed,” said Sparagis. “His eyes before were bulging and huge from the pressure. And now they’re back to normal.”
Florida Veterinary Medical Association Legislative Chairman Dr. Richard Williams has been a veterinarian in Jacksonville since the 1980s.
Williams said veterinarians could get in trouble for recommending CBD.
“I think there’s definitely medical uses for it. But just, our hands are tied because it’s not legal for us to talk about it and it can get us in trouble, both with the Board of Veterinary Medicine in the state level and on the federal level with the DEA,” said Williams.
The association’s official stance is that there is not enough research to prove whether CBD works for pets or what side effects it could have.
The only research out there is surveys.
“His eyes before were bulging and huge from the pressure. And now they’re back to normal.” How a #Jacksonville pet rescue president says cannabis oil is improving her dogs’ health. Watch CBS47 @ActionNewsJax at 5:45 p.m. pic.twitter.com/0sk7yjhxCC
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) May 10, 2018
A Colorado State University survey published in 2016 found 64.5 percent of people who gave their dogs hemp products reported they brought their dogs relief from pain, and 49 percent said it relieved anxiety.
UC Davis is working on another survey right now.
But researchers’ hands are tied when it comes to actually testing cannabis products on pets; they would need a Schedule 1 license from the federal government to do clinical studies.
“I just wish they would reclassify it, bring it back to someplace where the research can be done,” said Williams.
Sparagis said it doesn’t bother that there have been no clinical trials.
“Not necessary for me,” said Sparagis. “The proof is with the dogs.”
Cox Media Group
