By Mitsie Vargas Ledger correspondent

What are the effects of cannabis in our pets? Could we use it as a natural pain reliever or as a natural aid to control seizures in dogs and cats? I have written about this topic previously and my passion for alternative medicine prompts me to continue to explore this potential source of natural pain control and healing.

Marijuana toxicity is a fairly common pet emergency, causing seizures, uncoordination and sometimes death. It is then hard to expect anything good to come out of the marijuana plant when we see what people sharing their stash does to those pets. In Colorado, the number of dogs admitted for marijuana poisoning has increased dramatically as pet owners try using it for old, arthritic dogs and users leave their pot stash unattended resulting in dogs ingesting large quantities.

THC is very toxic and within a half hour of ingestion, you could see drooling, agitation or depression (depends on dose), hypothermia and slower heart rates. The treatment is mainly intravenous fluids and monitoring the heart rate. There is no antidote for the poisoning but some patrol police dogs carry atropine to fight the bradycardia that sets in with THC poisoning. People who smoke near their pets can cause irritation of their upper airways.

The main psychoactive constituent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but that is just one of 483 known compounds in this plant! There are other non-psychoactive compounds including cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids and the famous CBD. According to the book ''Cannabis and CBD Science for Dogs'' by Caroline Coile, PhD, these hemp derived oils are very safe and appear to help manage a myriad of conditions including anxiety, joint pain, and mobility issues, seizures, and even cancer. The main benefit in chronic, debilitating diseases is an appetite stimulant, which can play a big part in the pet's quality of life. The many phytonutrients extracted from the whole plant will also be full of antioxidant chemicals that will aid in healing.

The anecdotal evidence is accumulating, and it may turn the tide of professional opinions on the use of marijuana in pets. Some companies are producing products that are definitively NOT pot for pets, yet they are high-quality formulations that are effective. One such company is Canna-Pet and its CBD is available without a veterinarian's prescription.

I admit being more at ease recommending Chinese herbal formulas that have scientific research backing their effectivity. In my practice, we see miraculous healings, extended longevity and improved quality of life using herbals and acupuncture and other TCVM modalities. I truly believe in the antioxidant and regenerative power of whole plants, especially green veggies and recommend to add those (spinach, kale, seaweed) to the sick pet's diets to improve healing.

I remain cautiously optimistic that CBD and products derived from hemp oil will become a widely accepted natural cure and more research will be done. It is up to veterinarians in states where marijuana has legalized to start pushing for more research into the medical applications of cannabis.

Dr. Mitsie Vargas is at Orchid Springs Animal Hospital in Winter Haven. She can be reached at drv@osahvets.

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Vargas: Weeding out herbal remedies for our pets - News Chief