Now that clinical pot is legal in 29 U.S. states and is treating human patients for pain and diseases, it is only a matter of time before it becomes a pet-friendly alternative to synthetic medicine. California, who has had legal medicinal weed since 1996 and just approved it for recreational purposes, is now paving the way for veterinarians to prescribe the remedy to their animal patients.

One veterinarian, Dr. Tim Shu, has founded VETCBD, a clinically tested manufacturing supplier of CBD tinctures for dogs. CBD is the non-psychoactive part of the cannabis plant with 80 cannabinoids that relieve ailments like inflammation, nausea, epilepsy, and chronic pain. Although it is legal to produce the medicine, it is still illegal for veterinarians to prescribe since the medical bill only allows doctors to recommend treatment to humans. Because of this, Shu’s products are only sold in California dispensaries not vet offices.

To allow vets the ability to supply and control doses of CBD oil to pet owners, research must first be conducted to understand its effects and the recommended dosages. Regulation is important for pet owners to understand the difference between THC and CBD and to not self-prescribe their pets. Animals that ingest THC could become unresponsive as levels vary depending on the strain of cannabis and the pet’s weight and metabolism.

Recently, Cornell University conducted one the first studies on CBD for dogs. They found that more than 80% of their patients were relieved from most of their pain and illnesses. More studies like this one need to continue in order to move the process along.

The law also needs to be changed to include pets in the medical marijuana loop. In San Jose, State Assembly Member Ash Kalra has begin to push legislation in order to let vets write pet CDB prescriptions and educate owners on its use. However, there is push back from the California Veterinarian Medical Association as they claim the FDA needs to get involved to approve dosage amounts and conduct more research.

For now, the discussion still remains of how much involvement veterinarians will have in the entire process. But, the fact that CBD oil has already been proven to improve the lives of both humans and animals, it is only a matter of paperwork to ensure the safe use of the plant on our beloved pets.

Source: https://hightimes.com/news/california-vets-want-prescribe-medical-marijuana-pets/

Veterinarians have stated that many animals today are too fat. There is a cat named that weighs 22 pounds, which is twice the size of a normal cat. Alfie is a Jack Russell who enjoys eating steak sandwiches.

There is also a 28-pound Maltese that enjoys cheese. Veterinarians have decided to fight this obesity epidemic by giving people an incentive to help their pets lose weight. They are selecting pets and putting them on a six-month exercise and diet program. The program is overseen by PDSA, which is a charity. The pet who loses the most weight will win an award.

This weight loss program has been around for 13 years. It has helped 124 pets lose a combined total of 994 pounds. Alfie the Beagle was the winner of last year’s competition. He lost 34 percent of his body weight.

Fifteen overweight cats and dogs will participate in this year’s program, which is based in the United Kingdom. Carole Sweeney, who is 55-years-old, is the owner of Elvis. She did not realize how big her dog was until her family members and friends started making comments.

Carole named her dog after the late singer Elvis. She is a huge fan of the singer and has posters all over her room. Carole stated that she fed Elvis too much food and did not realize she was overfeeding him. Elvis basically had an all-day buffet. She filled his food bowl up and allowed him to eat out of it all day.

Rebecca Ashman is a vet who works for the PSDA. She stated that 40 percent of pets in the United Kingdom are overweight. She also stated that a healthy diet and exercise can help improve a pet’s life expectancy and happiness. Additionally, Rebecca believes that prevention is better than the cure.

 

Maxim reports that the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine has researchers who have been looking in to the possible health benefits medical marijuana may serve all kinds of pets. The researchers have a survey going asking pet owners the reasons they give their pets medical marijuana. While they don’t have accurate dosages, the researchers have found that cannabis can help ease the symptoms of long-term diseases in pets.

Pet owners who participated in the survey, mainly dog owners, claimed their pets had incredible reactions to non-psychoactive CBD oil including easing arthritis, controlling seizures, and relieving their anxiety. One participant states their dog can now go on longer walks with less trouble. However, be cautioned as too large of a dosage can do more harm than good, and can even be deadly.

This is due to the fact that animals are unable to easily metabolize the THC as us humans cans. This means that even a little more than the recommended dosage can have your pet high for a couple days or so. This means that it is not advised to make a huge batch of pot treats for your four legged companion.

You can take comfort in knowing that in small doses, CBD oil can in fact ease GI distresses, pains and even reduce seizures; as well as treat joint issues and mood disorders. If your pet has any of these ongoing issues, they will surely thank you for the relief, no matter how brief it may be. Pets are only here for a short time in our lives, therefore we need to ensure they have the best life possible, without pain.

For those interested in helping their pets, CBD oil can be purchased at any certified medical dispensary across the country. It can also be purchased at various sites such as Amazon. If your dog is limping and having trouble going even on short walks, try to put yourself in their shoes. Think of how much pain their in because pet owners that do, have a better understanding for their pet. Just remember, as mentioned, only give your pet a small dose, even consult with a veterinarian prior to giving them any to ensure you are not giving too much as too much can have deadly effects.

Adrenal gland disease is a common malady in older ferrets. However, the earlier the illness is caught and managed, the higher quality of life your ferret can have.

While there are multiple factors that influence the development of the disease, some are thought to be more prevalent. When ferrets are desexed too young, speculation would suggest adrenal gland disease is developed during the ferret’s attempt to compensate for low hormones. Current ideology is that exposure to artificial light is the most considerable factor to the illness. In nature, a ferret is exposed to changing amounts of light throughout the year with the changing seasons. Overexposure to light interferes with ferrets’ production of certain hormones, such as melatonin, from the constant stimulation of the adrenal glands. With continued overexposure, the adrenal glands can begin to become problematic and can start to develop tumors.

Like with any illness, knowing the symptoms to look out for is the key to early intervention. Common early signs of adrenal disease are hair loss, notably located on the base of tail, stomach, and paws, abnormal itching, and weight loss. These symptoms are typical of both genders, however, males and females can also have unique symptoms. Males are sometimes seen with enlarged testicles, which can cause sterilization, along with enlarged prostate that can cause problems urinating. Alternatively, females can present with a sudden enlarged or swollen vulva, even when not in heat. Other prevalent symptoms can be excessive fatigue, loss of appetite, thin skin, itching, skin sores, excessive grooming of self or others, hind leg weakness, increased thirst and urination, sexual aggression, and weight loss. If a ferret owner notices any symptoms, it is vital to have the ferret examined by a knowledgeable vet.

There are currently no specific tests to diagnose adrenal disease. Nonetheless, an experienced vet can perform different tests to pinpoint the cause of a ferrets symptoms. The first step is often to rule out other common illnesses such as urinary tract infections and lymphoma. Blood tests are used to check for elevated hormones and low blood sugar levels. Ultrasounds and x-rays are used to check the adrenal glands, spleen, and liver. After a diagnosis is made, prompt treatment is the next step in getting your ferret feeling better.

Surgery and medicines are both possible treatments for adrenal disease. Surgically removing the affected adrenal glands is the most effective treatment, but in some cases, it may not be the safest option. If deemed inoperable, there are many medications that can aid in managing the disease. There are both injections and oral medications used, depending on the unique scenario. Most medications used, such as Arimidex and Flutamide, lower different hormones in the ferret which can alleviate symptoms. Other medications such as melatonin are focused solely on easing symptoms to improve quality of life.

Luckily, the prognosis for treated ferrets is a positive one with a relatively normal life. However, untreated ferrets will experience many complications and daily difficulties. Some instances with the presence of malignant tumors, there is an increased chance of shorter life expectancy. In any case, the most important thing is to ensure your ferret has the best life possible.

Read More: http://www.petcarevb.com/ferret-veterinarian/ferret-adrenal-disease.php

When Hurricane Harvey destroyed the Texas coast and parts of Louisiana, many owners had to make the sad decision to give up their pets. Some of the first groups to arrive on the scene to accept abandoned dogs and cats were from California. Now, some of those shelters located in Sonoma and the Napa Valley are having to be evacuated because of the wildfires. Therefore, animals may be on the move again.

Dogs Surrendered During Hurricane Harvey

Dogs, cats and other animals were quickly taken away from the flood waters during the hurricane. Many shelter administrators stress that it is important that people not pass judgment because many of the owners were heartbroken about giving up their friends but felt that they had no choice as they were forced to move to hotels that did not accept pets. Others had to stay with relatives who could not have pets in their apartments. Additionally, not all emergency shelters accept pets. In all, it is estimated that up to 600,000 animals were killed or dislocated because of the hurricane in late September.

Animals brought to California

Dogs and cats were brought to California on private jets and in trucks and cars. Many of the animals that needed additional care were put at the Milo Foundation’s Willits Sanctuary. Now, this sanctuary has been forced to evacuate. Other organizations have stepped up to take these animals despite the fact that most shelters already were full. Therefore, if you are looking for a pet to adopt please head to your nearest shelter regardless of where you live.

If these animals could talk, they would have quite a story to tell. First, they were evacuated from Hurricane Harvey and brought to California. Only to discover that their shelter was not safe because of wildfires. Therefore, people are being asked to open their homes to a new furry friend.