Marijuana for dogs: Difference between THC, CBD

Dear readers,

Most everyone is experimenting with CBD (cannabidiol) oil for their pets. It most commonly is being given for arthritis pain.

That is fine, but I worry its use is causing pets to miss out on joint supplements. This happens because CBD oil can be grouped with joint supplements as a natural alternative to pain medicine and something that does not require veterinary approval to purchase.

CBD is treating the pain, but it does not have any antioxidants, or glucosamine or MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) in it. Joint supplements contain other ingredients such as flaxseed oil, turmeric or essential fatty acids that help the joints be healthier and slow the progression of arthritis. So, do the CBD but also be sure and get your pet on a joint supplement.

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CBD does not contain the ingredient THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) that causes the psychoactive effects of the cannabis plant. THC is the main psychoactive compound in marijuana.

Our body has two types of cannabinoid receptors. The THC receptors control pain, mood and other feelings, and products with THC cause a euphoric feeling. CBD does not affect those receptors and does not cause the "high."

While CBD is commonly being used for joint pain and calming effects on dogs, we never want to expose our pets to THC. THC — marijuana — is toxic to pets. Veterinarians are starting to see an uptick in the incidence of pet exposure. This typically occurs due to pet ingestion of marijuana that has not been kept safely stored away by owners.

Symptoms of marijuana toxicity include ataxia, which means the pet is staggering around the room; dilated pupils that are slow to respond to light; exaggerated response to stimulus; vocalization; dribbling urine; lethargy; changes in body temperature (sometimes low, sometimes high); and, in severe cases, trembling, seizures or even a coma.

The most common symptom I have seen in dogs at the emergency clinic has been dribbling urine. In fact, I would say that if a dog came to the emergency clinic with any one of the other symptoms, coupled with dribbling urine, then marijuana toxicity would be at the top of my list.

If the marijuana has been ingested within an hour of diagnosis, the pet can be made to vomit so that less is absorbed. If it has been awhile since the drug was eaten, activated charcoal can be given to the pet to reduce the absorption of the toxin from the intestines. In some cases, fluid therapy will help flush out the system. It is also important to confine the pet to a quiet area that will reduce overstimulation.

These pets tend to do well with supportive care. It is important for the veterinarian treating the pet to know that exposure to marijuana is a possibility. No one is here to judge, but we need to know to treat the pet.

Another great tool we have now is a urine test that will rule out marijuana toxicity. We also have one available that will screen for several of the recreational drugs, including cocaine.

If we suspect drug exposure, these test kits make the rule-out quick and easy. They are generally only available at the emergency veterinary clinics. Regular day practices do not see enough of the cases to make it feasible to keep the test kits on hand.