Vet Visit? Check Before Giving Fluffy CBD.
My cat likes one person in the entire world and tolerates only three others. As far as Freja is concerned, the rest of humanity could take a long walk off a short pier. Naturally, taking her to the vet has always been a chore and a half, especially with COVID-19 restrictions.
When I set up the vet appointment to get Freja spayed, I wanted to speak to the vet on hand. I had a question for them and decided asking a vet may be more productive than asking strangers on the internet.
After briefly explaining my cat's anxiety and disapproval of 99.99% of the human population, I asked if I could give her CBD before loading her into the car or if I should avoid it. After stating he was not too familiar with CBD, he advised against giving it to her for concern of not knowing how the CBD would interact with the anesthesia.
According to an article published by the Harvard Medical School, "Since marijuana and anesthesia both affect the central nervous system, people who use marijuana regularly may need different amounts of anesthesia medicines. In order to know which medicines and how much to use, your doctor needs to know ahead of time how much and how often you use marijuana."
While the article focuses on marijuana, the lesson can also relate to CBD derived from hemp. Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is a common cannabinoid found both in marijuana and hemp strains. Research has shown CBD carries calming properties and can promote drowsiness. And like with many other herbs and medications, CBD can interact in different ways with other medications.
When discussing any medical procedure with your doctor, it is always in your best interest to let them know if you use cannabis in any form. The same can be applied when talking with your vet before a pet's procedure. Failure to disclose that kind of information can lead to complications for humans and animals alike.
Thankfully, even though my vet was unfamiliar with CBD, he erred on the side of caution. CBD can be a wonderful aid for an anxious pet, like my Freja, but can interact with other medications in ways we can't always predict. Always talk with your doctor or vet before using cannabis before a procedure or if being prescribed medication to avoid any unwanted complications.