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In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of medicinal cannabis for treating various health conditions in animals, particularly dogs and cats. Here at CBD Vets Australia, our network of veterinarians has seen first-hand how symptoms and quality of life can be significantly improved thanks to the therapeutic benefits of CBD.
This has led to researchers exploring a wider clinical application of cannabidiol in supporting the wellbeing of other animals. While further investigations are needed (and are already underway), preliminary findings published by international research teams have highlighted the potential of CBD in a range of clinical settings.
At CBD Vet Australia, we offer free prescribing webinars for veterinarians, so please email us if you’re interested or register for our next one here.
In 2020-21, a research team conducted an 8-week trial with a female Asian elephant in a wildlife conservation park in Mexico. The objectives of the trial were to evaluate the therapeutic effect of CBD on the elephant’s skin abscesses and lesions, her food selectivity and decreased appetite, and her decreased mobility and exploration behaviours, and to determine the incidence of any adverse effects. This is the first report described in the literature regarding the use of CBD in the veterinary care of elephants.
At the time of the study, the Asian elephant was around 55 years old and had been living in the care of the conservation park since 2009. During the initial clinical examination, the elephant was found to be experiencing several ailments:
A CBD-isolate compounded medication was administered orally to the elephant at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg/day.
At the conclusion of the trial, the researchers found encouraging results. For each of the ailments mentioned above, the following changes were observed:
There were also some incidental changes in the elephant’s behaviour reported by the researchers:
There were several disruptions to this case study due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. A lockdown was implemented at the beginning of January, which affected the patient’s husbandry and case follow-up. Unfortunately, this resulted in the loss of laboratory samples, having no weight records after 6 January 2021, and the interruption of the CBD treatment after 31 January 2021 due to financial limitations at the conservation park.
Skin lesions on the feet are among the most common ailments found in the group of elephants in this conservation park. Both treatment and resolution of these lesions are often complicated and delayed, making early detection and diagnosis key. Conventional antiseptic treatments provided by veterinary personnel, complemented by a systemic administration of CBD, may result in a quicker recovery time for patients when compared to cleaning the lesions with antiseptics alone.
In this particular elephant’s case, the inclusion of CBD in her treatment was found to not only help in the improvement and healing of her abscesses but also nearly eliminated food selectivity, increased her food intake and appetite, and improved her activity levels.
This study highlights the exciting potential of medicinal cannabis in improving the quality of life of elephants and other zoo animals, and the veterinary community eagerly awaits the findings of further studies. However, as with any new treatment, it is important to proceed with caution and consult with an experienced veterinarian before using medicinal cannabis for any animal.
Please contact us at info@cbdvetsaustralia.com.au or (02) 8294 9303 if you would like more information or training in prescribing legal CBD in veterinary medicine.
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