The University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College has embarked on a three-year study to test the effects of treating bladder cancer in canines with the use of cannabis.
Professor Sam Hocker, an assistant professor of veterinary medical oncology at the University of Guelph (U of G) is one of the main researchers on the study. He said the study will look specifically at the effectiveness of cannabis for treating urothelial carcinoma tumours in dogs, a common but hard-to-treat form of cancer.
These tumours, which are extremely difficult to remove surgically, are usually treated with radiation or chemotherapy, said Hocker.
Currently, the study is in its beginning stages, looking at how cannabidiol (CBD) affects cancer cells in petri dishes.
“This way we have a full scope of understanding before ever actually trying it on a patient,” said Hocker.
There are three cancer cell lines in which CBD will be applied. Hocker will then evaluate the reaction of cancer cells to the CBD, and whether it will cause apoptosis to the cells, otherwise known as the death of cells.
There is not much published work in veterinary medicine regarding CBD and the effects it can have towards the treatment of cancer exists.
There have been studies conducted in the past regarding the effects of cannabis on animals, such as Cornell University’s 2018 study on the effects of cannabinoids for dogs suffering from multi joint issues. Colorado State University also released a published report in 2019 assessing the use of CBD on dogs with epilepsy.
The current study by the U of G is being funded by the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) Pet Trust at U of G and a private company, Grey Wolf Animal Health.
OVC’s Pet Trust is a Toronto-based animal health company that is focused on improving the lives of vets and pets in Canada and abroad, according to their website.
The pet trust is thrilled to be supporting a study of its kind at a Canadian veterinary school, said Ian Sandler, the company’s CEO and a 1994 veterinary grad from U of G.
OVC dean Jeff Wichtel said the research project will unveil information on veterinary applications for cannabis that is necessary, according to the press release.
He said learning about the role of CBD in animal cancer will lead to the advancement of this field of medical research in Canada.
Hocker hopes the study will clarify the use of CBD in canine cancer patients. He says many clients who approach clinics are already putting their animals on CBD without the consultation of a veterinarian.
“It’s really to figure out from an anti-cancer perspective if it provides benefits. Or does it impede abilities to perform chemo or radiation on these patients?”
Featured image from file.
