Abstract
In recent years, interest in using cannabinoids in horses has grown substantially. There is a paucity of standardized research using cannabis in equines; however, early studies and anecdotal experience has suggested that CBD and full spectrum hemp products can be very useful as anxiolytics and for analgesia in horses. Initial studies have shown safety in horses receiving CBD products; veterinarians and veterinary professionals are urged to seek out proof of product analysis, preferably from independent laboratories. Pharmacokinetic data is provided in this chapter from four studies to help guide clinicians seeking out cannabinoids as an alternative or adjunct therapy in equine medicine. Specific dosing protocols used by the authors are provided for several indications: anxiety, osteoarthritis, laminitis, and from a published case report of mechanical allodynia in a horse.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Blake, D. R., et al. (2006). Preliminary assessment of the efficacy, tolerability and safety of a cannabis-based medicine (Sativex) in the treatment of pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology, 45(1), 50–52.
Butrica, J. L. (2002). The medical use of cannabis among the Greeks and Romans. Journal of Cannabis Research, 2(2), 51–70.
Carter, W. H. (General). (2003). The U.S. Calvary Horse. Lyons.
Chiocchetti, R., et al. (2020). Localisation of cannabinoid and cannabinoid-related receptors in the equine dorsal root ganglia. Equine Veterinary Journal. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13305.
Couch, D. G., et al. (2018). The use of cannabinoids in colitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, 24(4), 680–697.
Ellis, K., & Contino, E. (2019). Treatment using cannabidiol in a horse with mechanical allodynia. Equine Veterinary Education. https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.13168.
Gamble, L. J., et al. (2018). Pharmacokinetics, safety, and clinical efficacy of cannabidiol treatment in osteoarthritic dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 165(5).
Karlsson, L., Finell, M., & Martinsoon, K. (2010). Effects of increasing amounts of hempseed cake in the diet of dairy cows on the production and composition of milk. Animal, 4(11), 1854–1860.
Landoni, M. F., & Lees, P. (1996). Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ketoprofen enantiomers in the horse. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 19(6), 466–474.
Lees, P., et al. (2004). Pharmacodynamincs and pharmacokinetics of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in species of veterinary interest. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 27, 479–490.
Lopez-Cardona, A., et al. (2016). Exocannabinoids effect on in vitro bovine oocyte maturation via activation of AKT and ERK1/2. Reproduction, 152(6), 603–612.
Malfait, A. M., et al. (2000). The nonpsychoactive cannabis constituent cannabidiol is an oral anti-arthritic therapeutic in murine collagen-induced arthritis. PNAS, 97(17), 9561–9566.
Patterson-Kane, J. C., et al. (2018). Paradigm shifts in understanding equine laminitis. The Veterinary Journal, 231), 33–40.
Plummer, A., Jewell, C. H., & Melville, R. (1909). The army horse in accident and disease. New York: Military Publishing.
Proceedings of the 50th Annual American Veterinary Medical Association. (1913). New York, pp 373–379.
Ryan, D., McKemie, D. S., Kass, P. H., Puschner, B., & Knych, H. K. (2021). Pharmacokinetics and effects on arachidonic acid metabolism of low doses of cannabidiol following oral administration to horses. Drug Testing and Analysis. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.3028.
Sanchez-Aparicio, P., et al. (2020). Cannabinoids CB2 receptors, one new promising drug target for chronic and degenerative pain conditions in equine veterinary patients. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 85, 102880.
Welsh, J. C., Lees, P., et al. (1992). Influence of feeding schedule on the absorption of orally administered flunixin in the horse. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplements, (11), 62–65
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Luedke, C., Wilhelm, T. (2021). Cannabinoids in Equine Medicine. In: Cital, S., Kramer, K., Hughston, L., Gaynor, J.S. (eds) Cannabis Therapy in Veterinary Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68317-7_12
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68317-7_12
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-68316-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-68317-7
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)