Pet Owners Thoughts on CBD

Hello, Summarians!

It’s nice to get feedback on the way people view the world. This edition includes 2 surveys that do just that. Also, some potentially exciting news for HCM. Enjoy!

Please give me feedback on ways I can make it more useful to you.

If it is valuable to you please consider sending it on to a friend 😄 

Owners’ Perceptions of CBD in Dogs.

The popularity of CBD products for pets has been increasing since the legalization of hemp containing low levels of THC in 2018. This has led to a rise in the use of CBD products for pets, driven by pet owners and CBD companies. The FDA's approval of a CBD medication for human use has further legitimized its medicinal value. Despite its growing popularity, there are still uncertainties about CBD's proper dosage, safety, and efficacy in veterinary medicine. A recent online survey conducted in the USA aimed to gather information about CBD usage among pet owners and their perceptions of its efficacy and safety. The survey revealed that CBD use in pets is primarily driven by dog owners, with only a small percentage using CBD for cats. Many pet owners lack information about proper CBD dosage, safety, and efficacy, and often administer it empirically or inconsistently. Veterinarians play a limited role in recommending CBD products to pet owners. The survey showed that pet owners reported improvement in their pets' conditions with minimal side effects. However, it's important to note that the perceived improvement might be influenced by the caregiver placebo effect. Common reasons for using CBD products in pets included managing anxiety and pain, although research on CBD's effectiveness for these conditions in dogs and cats is still limited. CBD products are typically administered as treats or oils, and pet owners expressed interest in trying different forms. In conclusion, CBD products for pets are gaining popularity, but there is a need for clearer guidelines on dosing, safety, and efficacy. While many pet owners perceive positive effects, more rigorous research is necessary to determine the true benefits of CBD in veterinary medicine. Education for both pet owners and veterinarians is crucial in navigating the emerging CBD market for pets. 

Corsato Alvarenga, I., MacQuiddy, B., Duerr, F., Elam, L.H. and McGrath, S. (2023), Assessment of cannabidiol use in pets according to a national survey in the USA. J Small Anim Pract, 64: 513-521. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13619 

Bottom line — 25% have tried it and 2/3 are looking for a reduction in stress/anxiety.

End of Life Survey Validation.

The study aims to capture important data related to the deaths of companion dogs, including the causes of death, reasons for euthanasia, and the quality of life of the dogs in their final days. The goal of this research is to better understand companion dog mortality and provide insights that could improve end-of-life care for dogs. The researchers highlight the challenges in collecting accurate data on companion dog deaths, as well as the lack of standardized reporting systems for cause and manner of death in dogs in the United States. The article emphasizes the importance of involving dog owners in the data collection process due to the variability in the circumstances surrounding a dog's death. The EOLS survey was designed to comprehensively gather information directly from dog owners to address these challenges. The study involved expert panel assessments and pilot testing to ensure that the survey questions effectively captured relevant information. The survey was administered to dog owners and their responses were compared with information obtained through interviews with the same owners. The article discusses the level of agreement between the survey responses and the interview responses, highlighting the reliability and validity of the EOLS survey in capturing the intended data. The article also acknowledges the limitations of the study, such as potential recall bias and the subjective nature of survey data. The authors emphasize the importance of interpreting the data within the context of their source and mention plans to validate the data through veterinarian-completed surveys or necropsy reports for dogs that received veterinary assistance during their end-of-life care. In summary, the text describes the development, validation, and potential applications of the End of Life Survey (EOLS) as a tool for collecting data on companion dog mortality. The study is part of the Dog Aging Project and aims to enhance understanding and care for companion dogs in their final stages of life. 

McNulty, K. E., Creevy, K. E., Fitzpatrick, A., Wilkins, V., Barnett, B. G., Dog Aging Project Consortium, & Ruple, A. (2023). Development and validation of a novel instrument to capture companion dog mortality data: the Dog Aging Project End of Life Survey, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association . https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.23.02.0078 

Bottom line — Good Validation. Interestingly, >50% of owners felt that the pet’s quality of life was mostly good or good 2 weeks prior to their death.

Rapamycin DR for HCM cats

The provided text discusses a scientific study involving the use of rapamycin, a drug that inhibits a protein complex called mTOR, as a potential treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in domestic cats. HCM is a common heart condition characterized by thickening of the heart muscle, and it can lead to serious outcomes like heart failure, thromboembolism, and sudden death. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of a new formulation of delayed-release (DR) rapamycin on cats with subclinical HCM, which is the early stage of the disease. The researchers hypothesized that this treatment could either reverse or prevent the progression of the heart muscle thickening, as assessed by measuring myocardial wall thickness (MWT). The results indicated that low-dose DR rapamycin (administered once weekly) significantly reduced MWT over a 6-month period, suggesting a reduction in heart muscle thickening. Both low-dose and high-dose DR rapamycin were well tolerated by the cats, with no significant differences in side effects compared to a placebo group. The study discussed the mechanisms through which rapamycin works, targeting mTOR complexes and their downstream processes involved in protein synthesis, metabolism, and cell survival. The study suggests that intermittent and low-dose rapamycin dosing could selectively affect specific pathways while minimizing adverse effects. The findings are promising, suggesting that DR rapamycin could potentially delay or prevent the progression of heart muscle thickening in cats with early-stage HCM. However, the study acknowledges limitations such as the need for larger trials to assess long-term effects and potential impacts on survival and other complications associated with HCM. The text emphasizes the importance of further research to understand the treatment's full potential and its applicability to different genetic and phenotypic variations of the disease.

Kaplan, J. L., Rivas, V. N., Walker, A. L., Grubb, L., Farrell, A., Fitzgerald, S., Kennedy, S., Jauregui, C. E., Crofton, A. E., McLaughlin, C., Van Zile, R., DeFrancesco, T. C., Meurs, K. M., & Stern, J. A. (2023). Delayed-release rapamycin halts progression of left ventricular hypertrophy in subclinical feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: results of the RAPACAT trial, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.23.04.0187 

Bottom line — Rapamycin DR was well tolerated and may delay or prevent subclinical HCM

Just putting things in perspective …