CBD Vets Australia

CBD Vets Australia: Medicinal Cannabis for pets (dogs, cats, birds)

What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a phytocannabinoid derived from the Cannabis Sativa plant. There
are over 100 phytocannabinoids found in the plant, with CBD and THC being the most well
known and studied. CBD and THC work on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) which
maintains homeostasis in vivo. Endocannabioids receptors (CB1 and CB2) are ubiquitous in
the body and influence many other systems. ECS receptors are found primarily on the
nervous system and the immune system. The ECS plays a key role in regulating pain,
inflammation, immune function, appetite, mood and sleep.
CBD has many medicinal properties and does not have any psychoactive effects, whereas
THC elicits a psychoactive effect and has fewer medicinal properties. When CBD is used in
conjunction with other phytocannabinoids, including THC, there is believed to be a
synergistic effect - commonly known as ‘the entourage effect’.
For in-depth training, please refer to our Vets Portal on our website:
www.cbdvetsaustralia.com.au

Points to note:
❖ We can ship either to the pet owner directly or to the vet clinic (for the same price) as
some vets prefer to give the first dose in the clinic to counsel the pet owner further.
❖ We use express postage (no extra charge) so the usual turnaround time is about 2
business days once payment has been received.
❖ Our flavouring (chicken/ beef) can be added free of charge for Vet Cart orders. This
is recommended for the CBD Full Spectrum and CBD:THC blends. CBD isolate is
odourless and tasteless but a flavour may be added if desired.
❖ MCT oil is derived from coconut oil and it is believed to give CBD the best
bioavailability in vivo. However, we can compound in alternative carrier oils such as
hemp seed oil / olive oil / sunflower oil if desired, e.g. in case of an MCT allergy, and
some cats prefer sunflower oil.
❖ We include Pet Record Diaries in new orders so that pet owners can record
symptoms changes over the initial two week period which is a handy resource to
review as a vet! (It can take up to two weeks for cannabinoid receptors to upregulate
in the body so a lot of changes are often seen in the first couple of weeks).

Indications for use
● Anxiety
● Epilepsy/seizures
● Osteoarthritis
● Inflammatory skin conditions
● Chronic pain
● Cancer symptoms (nausea, vomiting, anorexia, pain)
● Palliative care

CBD is often prescribed as an alternative to NSAIDs and benzodiazepines.

We were the first in Australia to provide a legal pathway to CBD for pets.

● We comply with all legal requirements as outlined by the APVMA.

● The raw materials we use are imported from an overseas supplier , and oils are

compounded by our pharmacy team in Australia.

● Our oils meet Schedule 4 criteria as outlined by the TGA (cannabidiol must comprise
> 98% CBD of the total cannabinoid content in the product, and any other
cannabinoids besides CBD must only be those which occur naturally in the cannabis
plant).

● Our oils meet TGO 93 standards.

Legal criteria for veterinarians
● The patient has a therapeutic need.
● Unlicensed Schedule 4 medication - licensed products not suitable.
● The pet owner consents to using an unlicensed product which may be potentially
harmful.
● The pet receives appropriate monitoring to identify and treat potential adverse
effects.

Side effects
CBD is generally very well tolerated. Sometimes gastrointestinal disturbance occurs
(diarrhoea / soft stools) so it is best to give the oil with a meal. Sedation may occur at higher
doses. Reduce dose to previously tolerated dose if this occurs. Starting at a low dose and
titrating up slowly helps to minimise side effects.

Interactions
Drug interactions with CBD products are rare. However, CBD is metabolised by the
Cytochrome P450 liver enzymes, so it should be used with caution with drugs that inhibit or
induce CYP enzymes. In practice CBD is often prescribed alongside SSRIs, phenobarbitone,
etc. but extra monitoring may be required.

Blood monitoring
Sometimes an increase in ALP is observed in dogs, and an increase in ALT is observed in
cats. CBD should only be prescribed when these parameters are within the normal range.

Research studies
Please refer to the CBD Vets Australia Vets Portal to read published scientific papers on
CBD use in various species for treatment of various conditions.

Administration
Syringe the oil directly into the mouth after meals, or give it mixed with food.
Ideally give CBD with a lipid-rich meal.
Flavouring (chicken, beef) is available to improve palatability. These are free of charge for
Vet Cart orders. CBD isolate is odourless and tasteless but flavour may be added if desired.
We recommend adding a flavour enhancer to CBD full spectrum and CBD:THC blends.

Prescribing guidelines
Starting with giving once a day (nocte) for the first 3 nights, then increase to twice daily
ongoing (every 12 hours with food).

Starting dose ranges:

Anxiety, Skin conditions: 1.0-1.5mg/kg BD
Osteoarthritis: 1.5-2.0mg/kg BD
Epilepsy/Seizures, Chronic pain, Cancer: 2.0-2.5mg/kg BD
Palliative care: 2.5mg/kg BD

After 2 weeks of the starting dose, start dose titration if required.
Dose titration is universal at 0.05ml per dose (i.e. twice daily)...
…every 5-7 days for Anxiety, Skin conditions
…every 4-6 days for Osteoarthritis
…every time the pattern of seizures has not improved in cases of Epilepsy/Seizures
…every 2-3 days for Chronic pain, Cancer, Palliative care

Product selection
CBD isolate is normally prescribed first-line for most conditions (e.g. anxiety, epilepsy,
arthritis, inflammatory skin conditions) as there is the most research behind it in the animal
space. It is pure CBD so the most repeatable result is obtained.
There are less adverse effects observed with CBD isolate than the other products. However,
when CBD is used in conjunction with THC and/or other cannabinoids there is a synergistic
effect (known as the 'entourage effect').
Give a 2 month trial period and if there is not a satisfactory response then try CBD full
spectrum as second-line.
CBD full spectrum contains minimum 98% CBD + up to 2% other cannabinoids (including
trace amounts of THC), flavonoids, terpenes found naturally in the cannabis plant. CBD full
spectrum is prescribed first-line for chronic pain, cancer and palliative care, with CBD:THC
being second-line for these conditions.
If the desired effect is not achieved following a few weeks of dose titration of the first-line
product then consider switching to CBD full spectrum or CBD:THC blend.
CBD:THC is the strongest and is usually prescribed last-line. This blend contains either 0.5
or 1% THC and the rest as pure CBD.

Volume selection
Birds: 25mg/ml
Cats and Small Dogs: 50mg/ml
Medium to Large Dogs: 100mg/ml

Prescription writing
Please include the following:
● Date
● Name & species of patient
● Owner’s name & address
● Product name (CBD isolate, CBD Full Spectrum or CBD:THC)
● Strength (e.g. 50mg/ml, 100mg/ml or 100:1)
● Volume (e.g. 25ml, 50ml or 100ml)
● Directions for use
● Flavouring (if required)
● Carrier oil (MCT - preferred, hemp seed oil, olive oil or sunflower oil)
● Number of repeats                                                                                                                                                                              

● Your signature

Please send your scripts and inquiries to [email protected]
Please note: We can compound custom strengths and volumes - just ask!
If you have any questions please call us on 02 8294 9303 (open 9-5 Monday-Friday).

Please post hard copies of scripts within 7 days to:
CBD Vets Australia
7/30 Raubers Road
Banyo QLD 4014

CBD Vets Australia oil formulations