Hydrolife Magazine June/July 2016 (CAN Edition)

heal
Our pets are family. They love us, we
love and care for them. Yet, they are
fragile on this Earth and we are their
only protectors. Luckily, within the cannabis
community, help is on the way
with as many supplements, therapies
and treatments for our furry friends as
there are for us. There is still, however,
much to learn on this subject.
The Veterinary Oncology & Hematology
Center states cancer accounts for nearly
50% of all disease-related deaths in our
pets each year. With our pets closer to
the ground, they are much more exposed
to toxins and carcinogens found in the
environment. Pet food also has much
lower regulatory standards than our
food, which can also cause health issues
in our pets.
Statistics show 25% of dogs die of cancer,
while more than 50% of dogs over
the age of 10 succumb to the disease.
The good news is cannabis combats
canine and feline cancers and tumors
in the same way it does in humans. The
challenge (just as in humans) is dosing
them correctly with our high THC laden
strains. And while there is a plethora of
CBD supplements out there for cats and
dogs, many are from hemp and often
aren’t strong enough to put serious ailments
into remission, though they may
be beneficial as a daily supplement.
“Cannabis combats canine
and feline cancers and
tumors in the same way
it does in humans.”
Meds for Pets
Cannabis oil has been used on humans
for a cancer treatment around the world
for more than 15 years, with many
recipes and combinations of THC and
CBD compounds developed for varying
ailments. If you are a biological being
with an endocrine system, you are also
equipped with a sophisticated endocannabinoid
system for receiving the cannabinoids,
or CBDs, from the plant, as
well as the THC, CBNs and many more
benefits we’ve yet to fully understand.
According to animalendocrine.com
dogs and cats have an endocrine system
identical to humans with the same function,
delivering hormones to the blood
stream regulating the body’s glands and
organs. Hormones act as chemical messengers
with many critical functions. The
endocrine glands include the pituitary,
thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, adrenal,
ovaries and testes.
Having the same hormonal delivery
system enables our pets to reap
the same benefits from
the cannabis plant for
myriad illnesses
and disorders. Any
upset they may have
related to infection or
inflammation can be
helped with ingesting
cannabis. Daily supplements
of CBD, even when
animals don’t appear to
be sick, can actually keep
ailments at bay, including
digestive issues, chronic
pain, fatigue and stress.
They can also help
prevent major ailments
such as cancer,
diabetes and many
more disorders.
It is also interesting
to note that
chamomile, the
mild herbal
tea known
more readily
for making
one sleepy
at night, surprisingly mimics cannabis
in its healing benefits. Inflammation, infection,
anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, Rheumatoid
pain, gastrointestinal disorders
and fever are just a few of the symptoms
quelled in the same manner as cannabis
without the psychoactive effects.
A Case Study
Charlie was a 10-year-old, 62-pound dog
from Northern California who presented
with bone cancer in one of his legs. His
owner, a savvy California cannabis
patient, had serious reservations about
treating the family dog with cannabis.
He was specifically nervous about its
psychoactive properties. The owner did
not want to get Charlie stoned or make
him feel uncomfortable in any way.
Too much RSO and a pet could be put
into a coma or have other adverse reactions.
Pet owners are often timid about
getting their pets high in the traditional
sense, but we do know that THC is
necessary for inducing rest and healing.
How much THC pets should get is
still being debated. A medicine maker
helped create capsules for Charlie
with part oil, part coconut solid to help
digestion and ease delivery. Charlie’s
first dose was 1/100 th of a gram with
coconut oil caps taken in the morning
and again at night until he appeared to
be used to the effects. Slowly, amounts
were increased.
Instead of exposing Charlie to traditional
cancer treatments such as radiation
or chemotherapy, Charlie’s family,
despite admitting not much is known
about how medicinal cannabis heals
pets, opted for the alternative treatment
in hopes he would be more comfortable.
Throughout the treatment Charlie
slept, played and had an appetite. His
cancer was put into remission, but it was
advised the leg where the cancer started
be removed, and the family made the
decision to put Charlie down. Though a
difficult situation, the family stated it felt
that through the treatment process Charlie
lived comfortably and with dignity.
For more information on treating pets
with cannabis, visit peta.org.
Sharon Letts began her life’s work as a
gardener in southern California, and now
calls Humboldt County home. She’s a
writer and photographer. When she isn’t
writing about gardening, she is outside
working in her own garden.
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grow. heal. live. enjoy.
myhydrolife.ca