Are there any vets using canabinol for canine epilepsy?

[TuMicks]

Most of you may know that marijuana has two major active ingredients. THC is the part that most people are after when they consume it. The other major constituent is Canabinol (CBN). This is being used in some of the worst pediatric seizure conditions and has been effective even when kids are on 3 and 4 potent anticonvulants with little effect. CBN has reduced the number of seizures enough that docs can back off on all or some of the other meds.

In states where medical marijuana is legal, some producers are producing plants that have lots of CBN and little THC in order to sell it for its heath uses.

Has anyone heard of any veterinary use of CBN? Or any research being conducted on it?

(I know that lots of dogs have gotten very ill when they've counter-surfed and gotten a treat of "edible" marijuana. So THC is to be avoided with dogs!)

[Annette47]

It was prescribed for a friend whose dog had a genetic IBD type disorder, but it didn’t really help her much as they lost her about a month later.

[JenC]

It's called CBD oil and I've talked to a bunch of folks who have used it on achy pets etc. I've been using it on Grace to help her appetite. I don't know if it's working but I haven't had a problem with her eating in the morning lately. Coincidence or the oil? I've used it topically on an aching joint, and I swear it works.

[Dennis Thomas, DVM]

The current government scheduling of marijuana makes it illegal for veterinarians participating in using, advising or any other recommendations to clients. As a veterinarian, I find it very frustrating that I could lose my veterinary license for advising people with pets who could benefit from the use of medical marijuana for their pet. I can say that it has been commonly used for chronic pain, particularly with cancer patients. Here in Washington state, there are pet shops that sell it over the counter. Wish I could offer further advice. In regards to idiopathic epilepsy in dogs, I find that using acupuncture, Chinese herbs and diet modification will control almost all of my seizing patients without conventional medications. Recent research highly suggests that most idiopathic epilepsy (idiopathic, meaning unknown etiology) are caused by leaky gut syndrome with byproduct metabolism creating chemicals like ethyl aldehyde and others to pass through the gut, picked up by the bloodstream and pass through the blood-brain barrier causing brain hyperactivity. A lot of human and veterinary specialists have concluded that the primary three causes of seizures are scar tissue (result of trauma), brain tumors (primarily in older patients) and improper gut function. Doing an MRI will rule out the first two. Good luck

[Dennis Thomas, DVM]

if you are still interested, yesterday I heard that a lady vet in Washington state was using and selling CBD for dogs. I heard that she is at Canna Companion Animal Clinic in Mill Creek Washington. I have not checked it out but I thought I would pass it along to you. Good luck.

[Snowshoe]

The Women Fighting For the Right to Get Your Pets Stoned | Broadly