Meghan Solc, DVM, DACVD, a practitioner at Dermatology for Animals-Catonsville, a Thrive Pet Healthcare facility in Maryland, has a passion for inclusion and mentorship. Her service in those areas as well as her work as a practitioner earned her recognition in dvm360's 2024 Veterinary Heroes program as the honoree for dermatology.

The program recognizes those professionals who have positively impacted animal care, demonstrating leadership, expertise, and a commitment to improving the health and well-being of animals. These recognized individuals have excelled in their professional roles and influenced the broader veterinary community, setting new standards and inspiring others.

, Solc expressed surprise and gratitude for the award. “So many people have had such a positive impact on me, and to reflect on that and this period of time and where I am in my career, it's just amazing to see all that support that I've always had throughout that whole period of time,” Solc said. “The career itself is great. I love veterinarian medicine. I love dermatology. It really has grown me as a person, and there's so many people that I would thank [for the support].”

Photos courtesy of Meghan Solc, DVM, DACVD

Conversely, 5 colleagues nominated Solc for the Veterinary Heroes award. “She is a strong supporter of the LGBTQIA community and has worked to translate discharges and information sheets into other languages, to make it easier for our non–English-speaking clients,” one nominator wrote.

Furthermore, the nominator said, “Dr Solc is a compassionate and engaged veterinarian and constantly shows up for her clients, patients, and colleagues. She truly has an unmatched passion for dermatology. She is community minded and always an advocate for those in need.”

A second nominator highlighted Solc’s work in local communities, which extends to career fairs and talking with middle school-age children about future opportunities in veterinary dermatology. Additionally, Solc has spoken with local journalists about when dermatologic care for pets should be sought, and frequently works directly with clients to diagnose and treat their animals.

“Her focus is educating these owners on how to best care for their pets to improve their quality of life.She is always seeking the best evidence based treatment options for her patients,” the second nominator added.

In the interview, Solc was quick to express additional appreciation for her colleagues. “There are a lot of client-pet parent interactions that just go unseen from day to day. A lot of our veterinary technicians are so, so important on that front,” Solc said. “It’s not necessarily their technical ability, but their big hearts and how much they care for their doctor, and also for the pet parents and how much they do [for them] on a day to day basis. It's a hard job, and sometimes it's thankless, but I don't know where I would be without them.”

An active member of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD), Solc is also cochair of the organization’s annual resident education forum. The event provides in-depth seminars for ACVD members. “More and more veterinarians are becoming dermatologists.… It’s just amazing to see the interest and the commitment to that specialty, which is [something] we need more and more,” Solc said.

A graduate of Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island in Canada, Solc has directly mentored several doctors through their residencies and supported their board studies, according to her nominator. This year, she has also assumed the role of mentor for her first specialty dermatology intern. “I just want to give back, and I want to make sure that everybody has the same opportunities [I have had] if they can,” she said.

Solc will receive her Veterinary Heroes award alongside 11 other distinguished program inductees during a luncheon celebration at the Long Beach Convention Center. The special event will take place during the 

 on December 8, 2024, at 11:30 AM PST. All conference attendees are invited to attend.

The 2024 Veterinary Heroes program is supported by corporate sponsor Schwarzman Animal Medical Center.

Articles

Veterinary Heroes: Meghan Solc, DVM, DACVD

A client service representative (CSR) at Tabernacle Animal Hospital in New Jersey, Gerry Sprague is known for her “composed demeanor, uplifting personality, and profound grasp of veterinary medicine,” according to a colleague. Those attributes are among the reasons Sprague was selected as an honoree for dvm360's 2024 Veterinary Heroes

This year's Veterinary Heroes program is supported by corporate sponsor Schwarzman Animal Medical Center as well as category sponsors Blue Buffalo Natural, MedVet, Banfield Pet Hospital, Thrive Pet Healthcare, and PRN Pharmacal. The program recognizes those who have positively impacted animal care, demonstrating leadership, expertise, and a commitment to improving the health and well-being of animals. These recognized individuals have excelled in their professional roles and influenced the broader veterinary community, setting new standards and inspiring others.

Sprague got her start in the industry by answering a newspaper ad seeking a front desk receptionist at an animal hospital and found the job to be the right fit for her. “I loved the atmosphere of the people coming in. I loved working with the people that I worked with; their empathy, their compassion, their integrity was beyond anything I had ever experienced. They just were so kind to me and taught me so much. It was just incredible. But reaching across that barrier between a pet owner and a pet [care provider] and trying to figure out what was going on with that pet, it was amazing to me,” Sprague said in an interview with 

Sprague has since served as a “mentor to hundreds of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and client service representatives” over the course of her career. “Gerry’s commitment extends beyond her [CSR] title, she generously imparts her extensive knowledge to both clients and colleagues,” the nominator wrote. “She consistently demonstrates remarkable empathy and compassion in managing even the most challenging client interactions…. [She] instills in [clients] and staff a sense of trust, ease, and expertise that is truly exceptional to encounter.” 

For the past 20 years, Sprague has organized an annual event that provides free veterinary visits to golden retrievers for routine checkups, vaccine administration, and ophthalmology examinations. Passionate about golden retrievers, Sprague has also done therapy, obedience training and field work with these dogs.

"[Golden retrievers] live to make you happy. They live every day as as if it's just a joy to be here. And I think if we all live like that, we could really be a much happier group of people," Sprague said. "They love to go out and pick things up and bring them back to you. They love to swim. They love to run out in the field. I do love doing field work with them." 

Additionally, Sprague has volunteered in lifetime studies on golden retrievers conducted by the Morris Animal Foundation with data collected from 2 of her own pets. "Both of those dogs have since passed, but I just love the breed," she said.

In nominating Sprague for the Veterinary Heroes award, a colleague said she exemplifies a "true veterinary hero" with unwavering dedication to the field of veterinary medicine. "She consistently demonstrates remarkable empathy and compassion in managing even the most challenging client interactions," the nominator wrote. "Gerry's commitment extends beyond her client service representative title, she generously imparts her extensive knowledge to both clients and colleagues alike. Having had the privilege of working alongside Gerry for over 3 decades, I can attest firsthand to her transformative impact on every hospital fortunate enough to have her on board."

In honor of Sprague and 11 other Veterinary Heroes inductees, an award ceremony will be held during the 

2024 Fetch dvm360 conference in Long Beach

, California, where the winners will be recognized for their unwavering commitment and extraordinary efforts within the veterinary profession. The ceremony will take place at the Long Beach Convention Center on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 11:30 AM PST. All Fetch Long Beach registrants are invited to attend the award ceremony for no additional fee. 

Known for her calm demeanor, the customer service representative honoree is a valued member of the practice team at Tabernacle Animal Hospital in New Jersey

Veterinary Heroes: Gerry Sprague

Photos courtesy of Adam Christman, DVM, MBA

's chief veterinary officer, with a patient.

As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the reasons why being a veterinary professional is a rewarding and fulfilling career. In the daily hustle of caring for animals, managing clients, and navigating the challenges of the profession, it’s easy to forget the many reasons to feel gratitude. 

I was speaking to a colleague of ours who recently became injured and is unable to perform the duties of being a veterinarian. She mentioned, “I would do anything to be able to physically examine and treat a pet.” It makes us realize how fortunate we are to have the ability to do something we have been passionate about since we were children. 

Since it is 2024, here are 24 reasons to be thankful as a veterinary professional, reminding us of all of the unique joys and privileges that come with this incredible career.

1. The gift of making a difference every day

Few professions offer the daily opportunity to improve lives the way veterinary medicine does. Whether it’s saving a life in an emergency or offering comfort to a sick pet, each day brings moments of profound impact. We truly are providing voices to the voiceless. I cannot think of any other profession that has this unique and special relationship to our patients like this.

Anatole France once said, “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” We witness firsthand the deep and unconditional love people share with their pets. Being part of that bond and strengthening it through care is a unique privilege. There are multiple levels of the human-animal bond, and we should be so thankful to witness it in all of its glory.

Veterinary medicine is constantly evolving. The opportunity to stay at the cutting edge of science and continually expand our knowledge is a gift that keeps the profession exciting and challenging. Continuing education here at 

is essential in veterinary medicine, as it ensures colleagues stay at the forefront of evolving medical knowledge and technology, empowering them to provide the highest standard of care for their patients. We go where the learners go, and we all should be thankful for the abundance of continuing education made available to our profession.

No 2 days are the same in the veterinary world. Each day brings new cases, different species, and unique challenges, making the profession both dynamic and stimulating. The dinner table stories never get old. You have the thank-you cards to show for it.

As veterinary professionals, we are trusted advocates for those who cannot speak for themselves. Our knowledge and influence help shape a world that treats animals with respect and compassion.

6. The joy of puppies, kittens, foals, calves, and more!

There’s nothing like the pure happiness of handling a new litter of puppies or kittens or seeing a foal take its first steps. These moments remind us of the joy and beauty in the lives we protect and serve. We should have gratitude that we have the opportunity to help bring these lives into the world and be a part of their health journey.

Our hospitals are often close-knit communities. The collaboration, trust, and camaraderie built within these teams are invaluable, creating bonds that feel very special. Days can be hard, but having a solid team and strong culture can really help those challenging days. And if your culture is not like this, work on it!

The emotional and physical demands of the profession foster resilience, empathy, and personal growth. We become stronger and more compassionate as individuals through our work. We push ourselves to aspire to a unique and challenging skill set. There is always opportunity for professional growth. Be thankful we are not in a stagnant career where no growth occurs.

The ability to save a life is something few people experience. Whether it’s an emergency surgery or a complex diagnosis, that moment of saving a pet is indescribably fulfilling.

Yes, I said it. We are entrusted with the care of animals that mean the world to their owners. This trust is not only humbling but a reminder of the incredible bond we build with pet parents. Remember, you are a pet parent too.

11. Building long-lasting client relationships

Perhaps one of my favorite things about being a veterinarian is the long-lasting relationship we can build with our clients. Some become an extension of your family and vice versa. Watching their children grow up and their animals age is a blessing to be a part of. And we often serve families across generations of pets. Your clients’ kids are now pet owners who bring their pets to you. Those lasting relationships with clients who value your expertise create a rewarding continuity of care.

12. The healing power of the human-animal connection

We witness daily how pets provide comfort, healing, and joy to their owners, nursing homes, law enforcement, guide dogs, working dogs, etc. We have the gift to help strengthen those unique relationships.

13. Opportunities to specialize and certify

Veterinary professionals can choose from a wide variety of specialties, from surgery to dermatology to cardiology. This diversity allows for professional growth tailored to personal interests. And the certification courses are endless and full of opportunity to advance our career paths.

Veterinary medicine has embraced advanced technologies, from diagnostic imaging to minimally invasive surgeries and artificial intelligence. Being at the forefront of medical innovation is thrilling. And it’s just getting started. Just wait for 2025.

Most of us entered this profession out of a deep love for animals. That passion fuels us through long days, tough cases, and emotional moments. It’s a career with purpose. I know I’m grateful every day to have a career where I can make a deep impact.

Do you remember your first encounter with a veterinary professional as a kid? We are looked at as superheroes to them. Having the ability to inspire, motivate, and guide future generations of veterinary professionals is a gift. Never say no to their curiosity.

We are in a unique position to relieve pain and suffering in animals, from chronic conditions to acute injuries. The ability to improve an animal’s quality of life is deeply gratifying. Helping them cross over is truly an honor.

Veterinary clinics are often pillars of their communities, promoting animal welfare, providing education, and creating spaces for local events and outreach. Be active within the community.

From veterinary assistants and technicians to receptionists, practice managers, and students, we are surrounded by dedicated professionals who share a common goal: helping animals thrive with amazing veterinarians.

As scientists, we appreciate the art of problem-solving. Each case presents a puzzle, and the challenge of diagnosing and treating is a rewarding intellectual exercise.

Sometimes we fail to recognize how we contribute to animal welfare on a global scale, whether through conservation efforts, disease prevention, or policy advocacy.

Though our profession has its challenges with it, we should be very thankful that we have safe spaces, counseling, and educational workshops for us to make sure we are taking care of ourselves and checking in on others.

The profession offers various career paths: academia, research, industry, practice ownership, multimedia, and more. This versatility allows us to shape our careers in ways that align with our passions. Steve Jobs said, “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.” Know that we do great work all day, every day.

24. Knowing you chose a meaningful career

At the end of the day, few things are more rewarding than knowing you’ve chosen a career that is meaningful, impactful, and full of heart. We serve animals, their people, and society in a way that enriches everyone involved. That should make your head rest comfortably on the pillow at night.

As we gather around the Thanksgiving table this season, take a moment to appreciate the countless reasons to be grateful for being a veterinary professional. It’s a career that is not only about healing animals but also about making the world a kinder, more compassionate place. Have an attitude of gratitude.

dvm360's chief veterinary officer lists 24 reasons joys and privileges that are unique to a veterinary career

Give thanks and be thankful to be in our profession

Finances can be a challenging and sometimes scary thing for veterinary professionals to tackle. Because of this, it can cause some professionals to fall into financial hardship or not properly budget/save for expenses, utilities, and also just some fun money. 

To help make the conversation less challenging, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and cofounders of Florida Veterinary Advisors Tom Seeko, CExP, and Cj Burnett discuss their new book, why finances may not be so confusing and scary, and the need for personalized financial planning.

: Because, CJ, I feel like financial planning can can be really confusing, and what do you believe people have the most control over within their finances?

: Well, I think it's funny, because I think people really, generally speaking, are not true students of themselves, and I think that financial stuff and money, people think money works like math and it doesn't right? Money works like every other resource and so the more we learn about ourselves, the more we start to understand what we can control, what kind of boundaries we need to have within our own lives. And I think that extends into money. Like, what kind of boundaries do I need to have with money? How do I take control of my money in a way that doesn't feel bad? 

Because I think a lot of the times, people are kind of shamed and guilted into not saving money and spending all their income, and it's like, well, you know, sometimes spending all of our income, that's a symptom right? Not saving money is a symptom, so what is the what is the cause of that? Why do I do that? And sometimes there are answers of, 'okay, it's because I haven't figured out how to manage it properly,' right? So let me go take some simple classes on how to manage finances. I think a lot of people avoid it too, because they think that it's too complicated. If you have DVM after your name, let's be honest, you're incredibly smart. Like, if you've been able to do that, you can't tell me that you're not smart enough to understand finances. You are way over-qualified to understand the financial stuff.  

Podcasts

Florida Veterinary Advisors cofounders CJ Burnett, CExP, and Tom Seeko, CExP, talk finances on this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360

Financial wellness for veterinary professionals

Philip Bergman, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM, discusses some of the latest advances in veterinary oncology

New breakthroughs in veterinary oncology

 delivers expert-led veterinary continuing education on your schedule. With 

, you can access top-tier sessions anytime, anywhere—whether at home, in the clinic, or on the go. Ready to earn CE credits? Watch this session and more on 

 at the Fetch dvm360 Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Philip Bergman, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVIM (Oncology), talked about his favorite lecture, “Top 10 Recent Advances in Veterinary Oncology.” He explained that given that the veterinary oncology profession is ever-changing, his lecture focuses on what he views are the most clinically relevant advances are in the profession. Topics include computed tomography scans (CTs) for staging, new therapies, the melanoma vaccine, the BRAF test, and more.

Philip Bergman, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVIM (Oncology): 

“Top 10 Recent Advances” is probably my favorite lecture to do because it's part of what attracted me to oncology 30 plus years ago, is that we're constantly changing, new things are constantly happening. And as oncologists, one of the things that we pride ourselves on is we're very data driven. And so, in that lecture, I'll actually walk folks through what I think, and this is going to be dependent on whoever's giving the talk, but what I think are the most clinically relevant advances.

So, we talk about, say, CTs or CAT scans for staging and the reason why that's so much better than a 3-view chest X ray. We spend time talking about Tanovea, which is one of the new lymphoma drugs that’s out there. We do a deep dive into Stelfonta for mast cell. We talk a little bit about the melanoma vaccine that I was the coprincipal investigator on that's available through Boehringer.

Videos

Philip Bergman, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVIM (Oncology), discusses some of the latest advances in veterinary oncology

The use of medical marijuana and other approved D-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or mixed THC and cannabidiol (CBD) products, such as nabiximols and dronabinol, is becoming commonplace to treat pain in humans.

 Findings from a recent meta-analysis in human medicine that examined randomized clinical trials indicated no benefits from CBD in studies of up to 12 weeks, with dosing being highly variable (20 to 1600 mg per day).

 Adding to the heterogeneity was the number of different pathologies being treated, from topical joint pain to oral dosing for ailments such as cancer-related pain, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, opioid-induced hyperalgesia, irritable bowel disease, and peripheral neuropathic pain.

These findings are not particularly encouraging for the use of CBD isolate for the treatment of pain in dogs or cats. There does, however, appear to be differences in absorption of CBD across species. It has been shown that a dose as low as 1 to 4 mg/kg allows for serum concentrations to reach maximal levels of 100 to 250 ng/mL or greater within 1 to 2 hours in both dogs and cats, with half-lives suggesting twice-daily dosing at minimum.

 When dosing humans for seizure disorders, the recommended dose of CBD is 10 to 20 mg/kg per day, which allows for serum concentrations in the 100 to 300 ng/mL range.

 This, however, has led to some of the confusion regarding cannabinoids and their potential efficacy.

 It has also been deduced that using a food matrix or oil is likely the best way to deliver cannabinoids because of slightly better pharmacokinetics when administered alongside food.

Many products on the market are either CBD isolates, broad-spectrum CBD-rich hemp, or full-spectrum CBD-rich hemp. Broad-spectrum products may also contain minor cannabinoids, such as cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), THC, tetrahydrocannabinolic (THCA), cannabichromene, cannabichromenic acid, cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabigerolic acid—to name a few of the more prominent minor cannabinoids. Full-spectrum blends will also include terpenes and flavonoids from the plant. This lends to the idea of the “entourage effect,” with some researchers postulating that these additional molecules may act synergistically and improve absorption of cannabinoids to help mitigate pain.

 A study of Holstein steers provides an example of this concept. Whole hemp—containing little to no CBD or THC but rich in CBDA and THCA—along with other acidic molecules was provided to cattle, resulting in lower overall cortisol and prostaglandin E2 concentrations and improved comfort levels.

 Interestingly, the few studies examining CBDA absorption and retention in dogs and cats have found a 3- to 5-fold better absorption of CBDA than CBD.

If we examine the current clinical literature on pain mitigation in dogs and primarily focus on randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled studies, there are 5 studies in dogs that evaluated osteoarthritis pain and 1 study of acute pain mitigation after tibial plateau osteotomy.

 A study on osteoarthritis pain in dogs published in 

in 2018 used a full-spectrum CBD/CBDA-rich hemp product, which contained an equal mix of CBD and CBDA and was dosed at 2 mg/kg every 12 hours. The product was delivered in an olive oil base and provided to dogs in a crossover, placebo-blinded study over 4 weeks; each arm of the study had a 2-week washout period between treatments. Results showed benefits based on validated subjective measurements using the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI), with an approximately 25-point drop in pain scores at weeks 2 and 4 that were not observed in the placebo group.

 Hudson activity scores were also evaluated, demonstrating a 20-point increase in the activity index during treatment vs a mild worsening of scores with the placebo.

 During the veterinary evaluations at the 2- and 4-week time points, there were no observations of improved lameness or weight-bearing capacity but pain scores did improve in the dogs treated with the full-spectrum CBD/CBDA mixture.

A second study on canine osteoarthritis pain utilized a smaller cohort of dogs using a CBD-rich hemp product. Four groups with 5 dogs each received either a medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil placebo (20 mg/dog/ day), a CBD-rich isolate (50 mg/dog/day) in an MCT base, or a microsomal-encapsulated CBD-rich hemp product (20 mg/kg/ day). The trial lasted 1 month and utilized the Helsinki Chronic Pain Index (HCPI) at the end of the treatment period. All dogs treated with one of the CBD products showed a significant drop in pain index scores. The HCPI scores for the CBD-rich isolate (50 mg/kg/day) group dropped from a mean of 21 to a mean of 14, and the HCPI scores for the CBD-rich hemp product (20 mg/kg/day) group decreased from a mean of 23 to a mean of 13. As part of the assessment, a veterinarian evaluated ease of rising, ease of walking, and lameness on ambulation and noted that Helsinki pain indices improved for ease of rising and ease of walking in both CBD groups.

A third study—a randomized, placebo-controlled trial—examined dogs with clinical arthritis that were concurrently managed on firocoxib or low-dose prednisone in addition to amitriptyline and gabapentin. This drug choice could not be changed during the 12-week trial. The CBD isolate in MCT oil was dosed at 2 mg/kg orally every 12 hours, although the authors could not deduce based on the description whether this was truly a CBD isolate or a more complex product. Evaluation via CBPI at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 12 weeks of treatment showed significant decreases in pain compared with placebo; significant differences in the pain score from baseline were observed over time in the treatment group only, with differences in the pain score noted between the groups throughout the study. More importantly, this was the longest study utilizing a CBD-rich hemp product to date, and it appeared to demonstrate safety with concomitant use of other commonly utilized medications; there were, however, no reported serum chemistry parameters to confirm this during the study.

The fourth study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of 23 dogs with osteoarthritis-associated pain that were administered placebo (hempseed oil) or treatment (2.5 mg/kg of a CBD isolate in hempseed oil) for 6 weeks before crossover.1

 The outcome measures at 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks were compared with initial screening and included the CBPI, the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD) questionnaire, assessments of total weight bearing, and percentage of weight bearing. For nearly all subjective and objective observations, there were greater improvements during the CBD-rich isolate treatment vs placebo on the pain sensitivity scale and pain interference portion of the CBPI survey as well as on the LOAD questionnaire.

 Significant effects from placebo at each time point were 

 What was confounding about this study was that dogs were provided approximately 0.1 mL/kg of hempseed oil twice daily, unlike the previous studies that utilized higher-saturated-fat oil sources; hempseed is very rich in both α-linolenic acid and γ-linolenic acid, which may both have mild anti-inflammatory properties.

 Further confusing was that the placebo group and the CBD group showed measurable levels of THC in the bloodstream,

 indicating contamination of the hempseed oil used. The THC levels were high enough in the treatment group,

 to suggest that a broad- or full -spectrum CBD product was used rather than a CBD isolate.

The same research group recently published results from another placebo-controlled, crossover study 42 dogs with mobility impairments, in which the subjects received either a 5 mg/kg dose of CBD isolate in an MCT oil base twice daily or placebo for 6 weeks. A secondary assessment was to better understand the therapy’s use in conjunction with carprofen as a standard nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) treatment for osteoarthritis. The measures included standard subjective owner and veterinary assessments at 6 weeks and objective kinetics around ground reaction forces. What was evident is that both subjective owner and veterinary assessments regarding pain were improved during treatment with this CBD product vs placebo treatment; however, ground reaction forces were not statistically different between the placebo and CBD treatment.

 The researchers also noted sporadic increases in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in some of the dogs in the treatment group as well as a statistically significant increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in dogs with concomitant use of carprofen, although there were no differences in dogs above the reference range interval in either group.

 The investigators also found that for the dogs that underwent procedures for hepatic cytology (with owner consent), there was no degenerative pathology associated with the treatments, but they cautioned that further studies are needed.

 These results are different from a 2018 investigation that used another CBD product at a lower dose, where ALT increases were not associated with NSAID use.

 These conflicting results may be caused by the product or because dosing was higher in the most recent study.

Osteoarthritis is a generalized chronic pain syndrome, often with a neuropathic component, with a different presentation than acute pain. The utility of cannabinoids for acute pain in dogs is now emerging, with only 1 study demonstrating that a full-spectrum CBD/CBDA product at 2 mg/ kg in a sesame oil base showed no differences compared with placebo.

 The study of acute pain mitigation after tibial plateau osteotomy evaluated more than 20 dogs in each group, utilized owner CBPI scores, and examined bone healing and the need for postoperative trazodone use. Although there were no improvements in pain or bone healing between the treatment groups over the 4-week time period, there appeared to be decreased trazadone use in the dogs in the treatment group at the 2-week recheck

; this suggests that cannabinoids may help maintain lower activity during the healing process.

In several studies, serum chemistry showed no significant alterations in parameters other than a rise in ALP.

 This increase in serum ALP is thought to be innocuous because ALT, γ-glutamyl transferase, and other hepatic parameters are not altered with stand-alone CBD treatment. Two recent studies examining the tolerability of CBD (10 mg/day) or mixtures of CBD isolate along with other minor cannabinoids such as CBG and CBDA (~5 mg/day) in dogs demonstrated safety, with only mild rises in ALP and no significant elevations in ALT.

 Another study looked at long-term safety in cats dosed with CBD at 4 mg/kg once daily and show no significant rises in hepatic enzymes.

When it comes to cats and cannabinoids, far less data are available on pharmacokinetics or efficacy. It is evident in cats that serum concentrations resulting from use of different products are highly variable6; delivery matrix may also play a larger part in absorption and/or retention of CBD and other cannabinoids.

 Further complicating treatment is that there are no studies examining osteoarthritis pain in cats, other than a study that used a mixed cannabinoid product.

 Another study suggests that in cats with chronic gingivostomatitis, use of approximately 1 mg/kg of a CBD-based powder diluted in water and administered orally once daily provided mild benefit.

 Although the healing and oral lesions were no different between the placebo and treatment groups, weight loss was more abrupt in the placebo group compared to the CBD group.

 It is undetermined whether this was because of pain mitigation or appetite stimulation, but it does suggest some utility in cats. Further investigation of this in cats is needed before solid recommendations can be made for treating conditions in domestic cats.

Although several potential drug interactions are associated with the concurrent use of cannabinoids, in clinical practice, there are few situations where cannabinoid use is contraindicated. A 2023 study showed that different enzymes from the cytochrome P450 family were responsible for metabolism of cannabidiol via various metabolic pathways,

 so clinicians should be mindful of concurrent drug administration. However, commonly utilized veterinary analgesic drugs such as nonsteroidals, steroids, gabapentin, amantadine, acetaminophen, ketamine, and amitriptyline present few concerns. Benzodiazepines will cause profound sedation if concurrently administered,

 and although not yet seen in veterinary or human medicine, there is a risk of serotonin syndrome following the concurrent administration with some antidepressant medications.

The use of CBD-rich hemp products is in its infancy and has potential benefits; however, additional studies are needed to fully appreciate the long-term utility of cannabinoids for arthritis pain. Cannabinoids appear appropriate for a pain regimen and can be used as a stand-alone product when adverse reactions occur with other pharmaceuticals. The paucity of studies on cannabinoids for acute pain and in felines provides a ripe platform for investigation. Furthermore, it is becoming evident that because of the heterogeneity in the products sold, efficacy studies on each product are necessary due to differences in absorption and retention.

Karst M. Overview: chronic pain and cannabis-based medicines. 

. 2024;57(3):152-159. doi:10.1055/a-2231-6630

Moore A, Straube S, Fisher E, Eccleston C. Cannabidiol (CBD) products for pain: ineffective, expensive, and with potential harms

. 2024;25(4):833-842. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2023.10.009

Villanueva MRB, Joshaghani N, Villa N, et al. Efficacy, safety, and regulation of cannabidiol on chronic pain: a systematic review. 

. 2022;14(7):e26913. doi:10.7759/cureus.26913

Gamble LJ, Boesch JM, Frye CW, et al. Pharmacokinetics, safety, and clinical efficacy of cannabidiol treatment in osteoarthritic dogs. 

. 2018;5:165. doi:10.3389/fvets.2018.00165

Deabold KA, Schwark WS, Wolf L, Wakshlag JJ. Single-dose pharmacokinetics and preliminary safety assessment with use of CBD-rich hemp nutraceutical in healthy dogs and cats. 

Serum cannabinoid 24 h and 1 week steady state pharmacokinetic assessment in cats using a CBD/CBDA rich hemp paste.

. 2022; 9:895368. doi:10.3389/fvets.2022.895368

Jukier T, Cruz-Espindola C, Martin D, Boothe DM. 

Disposition of a single oral dose of a cannabidiol medication in healthy cats.

 2023;10:1181517. doi:10.3389/fvets.2023.1181517

Healthy cats tolerate long-term daily feeding of cannabidiol.

. 2024;10:1324622. doi:10.3389/fvets.2023.1324622

Wakshlag JJ, Schwark WS, Deabold KA, et al. Pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol, cannabidiolic acid, D9-tetrahydrocannabinol, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid and related metabolites in canine serum after dosing with three oral forms of hemp extract.

. 2020;7:505. doi:10.2289/fvets.2020.00505

Long-term daily feeding of cannabidiol is well-tolerated by healthy dogs.

 2022;9:977457. doi:10.3389/fvets.2022.977457

Taylor L, Gidal B, Blakey G, Tayo B, Morrison G. 

A phase I, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose, multiple dose, and food effect trial of the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of highly purified cannabidiol in healthy subjects.

. 2018; 32(11):1053-1067. doi:10.1007/s40263-018-0578-5

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Turner M. CBD and Our Pets . Ethos Veterinary Health. Published August 10, 2023. Accessed October 31, 2024. https://www.ethosvet.com/blog-post/cbd-and-our-pets/