Publicação
A survey of the attidues, beliefs and knowledge about medical cannabis among vegetarians, veterinary students and atopic dog owners
| Resumo: | ABSTRACT - The use of medical cannabis in veterinary species is an area of growing interest, largely due to the therapeutic benefits observed in human medicine and the ever-closer bond between humans and their pets. Yet, there is very little research on the effects of cannabis in animals and the legal status for veterinary drugs containing cannabis is unclear. Veterinarians play a pivotal role in advising tutors, making it important to characterize the panorama of the Portuguese veterinary profession in the face of these new therapies. This study used three anonymous online surveys to evaluate the attitudes, beliefs and knowledge about medical cannabis among veterinary physicians, veterinary students and owners of dogs with canine atopic dermatitis (CAD). A secondary goal was to recruit patients for a future clinical trial on the use of cannabis as an adjunctive therapy to CAD. There were 138 responses on the veterinarians’ survey, 331 on the students’ survey and 358 on the atopic dog owners’ survey. Veterinarians didn’t feel very knowledgeable concerning the differences between marijuana and hemp or the toxic effects of both marijuana and hemp, but most felt confident about the therapeutic uses of hemp. Most vets and students believed cannabis could be useful in veterinary medicine, while owners were unsure. Over 60% of veterinarians claimed to have experience with medical cannabis in dogs, and the conditions for which they prescribed it the most were chronic pain, anxiety and inflammation. Only 6% of the owners had already purchased a cannabis product for their pet, most frequently for a dermatological condition, anxiety or chronic pain. Of those, most said they had acquired the product on the internet and the top reason for purchase was that it was prescribed by a vet. Both owners and vets perceived the products as moderately or highly effective and only 10% reported mild side effects. Over half of the veterinarians had a low level of concern regarding the safety and side effects of cannabis, while most owners were moderate or highly concerned. Both veterinarians and students were highly supportive of veterinary training and research on medical cannabis. 204 emails were collected from owners potentially interested in participating on the clinical trial on the use of cannabis in CAD. Most participants agreed that medical cannabis may offer benefits in veterinary medicine and were supportive of further clinical research. Still, clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of cannabis in veterinary species are urgently needed. It is imperative that veterinarians and students receive formal training on medical cannabis to properly advise their clients. |
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| Autores principais: | Gaspar, Maria Inês da Costa |
| Assunto: | Cannabis cannabidiol CBD surveys canine atopic dermatitis veterinary medicine Cannabis canabidiol CBD inquérito dermatite atópica canina medicina veterinária |
| Ano: | 2021 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | dissertação de mestrado |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso aberto |
| Instituição associada: | Universidade de Lisboa |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | Repositório da Universidade de Lisboa |
| Resumo: | ABSTRACT - The use of medical cannabis in veterinary species is an area of growing interest, largely due to the therapeutic benefits observed in human medicine and the ever-closer bond between humans and their pets. Yet, there is very little research on the effects of cannabis in animals and the legal status for veterinary drugs containing cannabis is unclear. Veterinarians play a pivotal role in advising tutors, making it important to characterize the panorama of the Portuguese veterinary profession in the face of these new therapies. This study used three anonymous online surveys to evaluate the attitudes, beliefs and knowledge about medical cannabis among veterinary physicians, veterinary students and owners of dogs with canine atopic dermatitis (CAD). A secondary goal was to recruit patients for a future clinical trial on the use of cannabis as an adjunctive therapy to CAD. There were 138 responses on the veterinarians’ survey, 331 on the students’ survey and 358 on the atopic dog owners’ survey. Veterinarians didn’t feel very knowledgeable concerning the differences between marijuana and hemp or the toxic effects of both marijuana and hemp, but most felt confident about the therapeutic uses of hemp. Most vets and students believed cannabis could be useful in veterinary medicine, while owners were unsure. Over 60% of veterinarians claimed to have experience with medical cannabis in dogs, and the conditions for which they prescribed it the most were chronic pain, anxiety and inflammation. Only 6% of the owners had already purchased a cannabis product for their pet, most frequently for a dermatological condition, anxiety or chronic pain. Of those, most said they had acquired the product on the internet and the top reason for purchase was that it was prescribed by a vet. Both owners and vets perceived the products as moderately or highly effective and only 10% reported mild side effects. Over half of the veterinarians had a low level of concern regarding the safety and side effects of cannabis, while most owners were moderate or highly concerned. Both veterinarians and students were highly supportive of veterinary training and research on medical cannabis. 204 emails were collected from owners potentially interested in participating on the clinical trial on the use of cannabis in CAD. Most participants agreed that medical cannabis may offer benefits in veterinary medicine and were supportive of further clinical research. Still, clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of cannabis in veterinary species are urgently needed. It is imperative that veterinarians and students receive formal training on medical cannabis to properly advise their clients. |
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