Medical Cannabinoid Generalized Safety, Conditions and Contraindications

Contraindications for medical cannabinoid use warranting further consultation and review:

1. Chronic Heart Failure (CHF)* cases can be evaluated on an individual basis
2. Valvular disease/heart murmur (grade 3/4 or higher)--especially if heart failure is eminent
3. Liver failure

Potential drug interactions:

Recommendation to offset current prescription by 2 hours to avoid prolonged sedation, ataxia, incoordination. After assessing the pet's response, may consider reduction in medication administration interval.

Offsetting cannabis from the prescriptions below is not 100% necessary all the time, it should be case by case and if side effects occur.

Anxiety
Trazodone
Acepromazine
Sileo (dexmedetomidine)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Clomipramine
Amitriptyline
Benzodiazepines (Alprazolam, Buspirone, Diazepam)

Arthritis
Tramadol
Gabapentin
Amantadine
Fentanyl Patches
Buprenorphine (Buprenex)

Cancer
Immunotherapy (Ex. Melanoma vaccines, T-cell therapies, Bone marrow transplants)

Seizures
Levetiracetam (Keppra)
Phenobarbital
Potassium Bromide

 

Conditions for multiple modality treatment:

Anxiety
Behavioral changes
Aggression
Environmental fears
Presumptive sedation for veterinary visits
Shelter trauma
Sundowners Syndrome

Arthritis/Pain/Inflammation
Postoperative pain management
Elbow and hip dysplasia
Patellar luxation
Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD)
Ruptured cruciate management
Birth developmental bone/joint deformities

Cancer
Brain Tumors - Gliomas
Thyroid cancer
Mast Cell Tumors
Mammary Cancer
Lymphoma/ Leukemia
Pulmonary Cancer
Hemangiosarcoma
Pancreatic Cancer
Melanoma
Prostatic Cancer
Osteosarcoma
Colorectal cancer

Gastrointestinal Issues
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBD)
Chronic diarrhea
Esophageal Reflux
Visceral pain
Nausea/vomiting
Appetite stimulation

Neurologic disease
Seizures
Epilepsy
Syringomyelia

Additional benefits
Skin allergies
Stomatitis
Feline idiopathic cystitis

 

Concerns of toxicity:

Significant lethargy, ataxia, multiple episodes of vomiting, lateral recumbency, significant urinary incontinence, tremors, bradycardia, obtunded/comatose, tachycardia, respiratory depression.

Decontamination, Supportive Care, Monitoring, and medications may be indicated if deemed medically appropriate. We recommend contacting your primary veterinarian or a member of our team to triage potential dysphoria.