Thai veterinarians' perceptions of cannabidiol products for dogs with osteoarthritis: a qualitative interview study

Osot Nerapusee; Kumpanart Soontornvipart; Thanakrit Pettong; Nutkritta Phongsuchat; Doungkamol Lunsucheep; Chanthawat Patikorn; Sornkanok Vimolmangkang; Puree Anantachoti

doi:10.3389/fvets.2023.1304180

Thai veterinarians' perceptions of cannabidiol products for dogs with osteoarthritis: a qualitative interview study

Front Vet Sci. 2023 Dec 14:10:1304180. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1304180. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Osot Nerapusee¹, Kumpanart Soontornvipart², Thanakrit Pettong¹, Nutkritta Phongsuchat¹, Doungkamol Lunsucheep¹, Chanthawat Patikorn¹, Sornkanok Vimolmangkang^{3

4

5}, Puree Anantachoti¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
² Department of Veterinary Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
³ Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
⁴ Research Cluster for Cannabis and its Natural Substances, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
⁵ Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Abstract

Introduction: The global popularity of cannabidiol (CBD) led to its approval for human use in Thailand and potential use in animals. Many studies revealed CBD's efficacy in treating chronic osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs. To facilitate tailored CBD product development for canine OA and ensure market success, this study explores Thai veterinarians' perception of CBD for canine OA.

Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with experienced veterinarians who treated OA in ≥25% of their canine patients. Interview questions covered treatment, CBD perception, and adoption. Interviews were held from January to March 2023.

Results: Eleven out of twenty invited veterinarians participated in the study. Though all favored non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for OA in dogs, concerns about adverse reactions, including ulcers and renal failure, emerged. CBD was widely known and was perceived positively for pain, inflammation, cancer, and epilepsy. However, half distinguished CBD from marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Ten expressed willingness to prescribe CBD for OA upon robust clinical evidence. Worries centered on product consistency and impurities. Many suggested CBD should be under veterinarians' supervision at first, but this can be relaxing once safety and efficacy are established. CBD products should be chewable tablets, oils, or gelatin capsules with flavors like beef, liver, pork, fish, or seafood.

Conclusion: Though CBD benefits were recognized, knowledge gaps among the participants persisted, warranting robust CBD safety, efficacy, and quality evidence to ensure Thai market success. Comprehensive education, including continuing education for those in practice and incorporating CBD-related topics into the Schools of Veterinary's curriculum, is recommended.

Keywords: Cannabis sativa; canine osteoarthritis; cannabidiol; pain; perception; veterinary.

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This research was funded by the Thailand Science Research and Innovation Fund Chulalongkorn University (FOOD66330001).