The Cannabis Boomer Podcast is for baby boomers and all adults who are interested in the science of cannabis. Key words for the podcast, in general, are: baby boomers, cannabis, boomers, marijuana, THC, CBD, health, wellness, science, and aging.
For this particular episode, key words are: cannabis, pets, marijuana, THC, CBD, dogs, cats, and verterinary science.
Cannabis, particularly CBD, shows promise in treating certain conditions in pets, such as seizures, pain, and atopic dermatitis. However, research is limited, and THC is generally not recommended due to dogs’ higher sensitivity to its intoxicating effects. If a pet ingests cannabis, it’s crucial to seek veterinary advice, as supportive care may be necessary.
Cannabis can benefit pets similarly to humans, helping with issues like inflammation, osteoarthritis, seizures, anxiety, sleep, and gastrointestinal disorders. While THC can be beneficial, caution is advised due to dogs’ sensitivity to its intoxicating effects. Legal considerations for cannabis use in pets vary by state, and it’s crucial to seek guidance from a veterinarian knowledgeable about cannabis to avoid accidental harm.
Dr. Gary Richter, a veterinarian, discusses the differences between human and veterinary medicine, emphasizing the importance of quality of life in veterinary care. He highlights the potential benefits of cannabis for pets, particularly in managing pain and improving quality of life. Dr. Richter has authored several books on pet health, including “The Ultimate Pet Health Guide,” which dedicates a chapter to cannabis use in pets.
Transcripts
The Cannabis Boomer Podcast is for baby boomers and all adults who are interested in the science of cannabis. Key words for the podcast, in general, are: baby boomers, cannabis, boomers, marijuana, THC, CBD, health, wellness, science, and aging.
For this particular episode, key words are: cannabis, pets, marijuana, THC, CBD, dogs, cats, and verterinary science.
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Don't forget to stick around after that interview for our "In the Bag Segment" where the Cannabis Boomer takes your questions.
And now, let's welcome the Cannabis Boomer, Dr. Alex Terrazas, PhD.
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CBD seems to help both dogs and humans afflicted with atopic dermatitis, a common chronic skin condition characterized by itchy, inflamed areas. the skin is chock full of receptors that respond to cannabis to treat a pet with itch. Use either A CBD oil rubbed onto the skin, or if the itching is more widespread, consider a CBD edible. Try the oil on the skin first. See a veterinarian for severe cases or cases that don't resolve. I'm not a veterinarian and none of this. Should be considered veterinary advice. This podcast is only a synopsis of what is in peer reviewed research. Again, the research cautions against the use of THC. If your pet is already on medications, it is especially important to talk with your veterinarian.
A cautionary note, many veterinarians don't know about CBD for pets, and many will refuse to talk with you about it. It, but don't let that stop you from being transparent and asking them for advice before you treat your pet with CBD or any other medicine.
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Welcome to the podcast!
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As you would expect from the standpoint of the brainstem being affected, a lot of what we see are issues with balance, coordination to a certain extent, obviously cognition always comes with THC intoxication, but you see some very, very typical, symptoms in dogs in particular that are intoxicated on THC.
In fact, there's a name for that constellation of symptoms. We call it static ataxia. It's basically if you've ever seen a dog that has had too much THC, you won't really forget it. They are, they are clearly zoned out and they will sort of adopt almost what you might consider like a sawhorse kind of stance. And they sort of will sway back and forth almost to the point of falling down. And frequently they'll catch themselves at the last minute and not fall over. But that's very, very typical for THC intoxication in dogs.
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There's also been some exploration into other species, birds, cattle, things of that nature. So any animal can experience the effects of intoxication, just like a person would, and frequently as is the case with people, it is exceedingly rare for these effects to kind of cross the line into life threatening. It can happen, but it is very, very rare.
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What are you working on now with respect to veterinary medicine and cannabis
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So want to make a fresh whole food diet, for your dog or your cat. So there's a lot of information and resources in there. My second and third books. which are longevity for dogs and longevity for cats. This is a much more specific look at longevity science and how to apply it to our pets. so while there are certainly some references in the longevity books related to the ultimate pet health guide, longevity for Dogs and Cats is a, shorter read, but it's much more directly focused on. can we do with longevity science to benefit our pets? So those are the books. There's been, you know, beyond that numerous, you know, chapters in other books. My colleague Trina Haan and I just completed a chapter for a, a veterinary textbook series called Veterinary Clinics of North America. that's a book that sort of comes out with a yearly update, and we had the opportunity to write a chapter on the current state of medical cannabis research and how veterinarians can incorporate the use of cannabis into their practice. So that has yet to be published, but, it is, you know, it is in, with the publisher to get published either later this year or early next,
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Thank you. It's been my pleasure.
There appears to be some disagreement between myself and Dr. Richter about using THC with pets, Dr. Richter and I agree that THC for pets can help with some of the same issues as it does with humans. However, those conditions are somewhat rare and given the cautions of using THC with dogs especially, I believe it should only be given in consultation with a veterinarian who knows cannabis.
If you want to give THC containing cannabis to your pet. Make sure to use the tiniest amount possible, like one 20th of a 10 milligram edible or less.
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Ellie Mae, thank you for writing in. If any of your critters can benefit from cannabis, I hope you'll avoid giving them THC and start with the smallest possible dose of full spectrum CBD. I wouldn't want your raccoon to freak out.
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I think it also takes away a little pain after a heavy workout. Regarding performance, I think the right mix of THC and CBD can help with what psychologists call flow when you are in the moment and not thinking of anything else. I know some of my besties who play tennis also use cannabis during matches.
dson, who was banned from the:
Richardson admitted later to using cannabis as a coping mechanism after learning of her biological mother's death. Shortly before the Olympic trials.
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You can always find us on Instagram and X under at Cannabis Boomer. People who choose to use cannabis need to be aware of what they consume. This podcast is intended to make users better informed about cannabis and its effects. The information shared on this podcast is meant as current opinion in science and should not be considered medical advice.
