Specialists studied single-dose disposition of cannabidiol drug in cats

Publication date: July 31, 2023

Translation: MVZ Flor Ortiz

Edition: ICAN Vets Publishing House

Background

With growing interest in the use of cannabidiol in the veterinary community, specialists described the disposition of a single dose of a cannabidiol drug in fasted, fed healthy cats. 

Description

A total of nine healthy adult cats (4 males and 5 females) aged 1-7 years from a breeding colony participated. They were tested using a randomized crossover design in which they received a single dose of 5 mg/kg CBD on an empty stomach or 30 minutes after feeding them a commercial balanced diet. All cats underwent a physical and neurological examination prior to the study.

Results

Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that the relative bioavailability of cannabidiol shows an almost eleven-fold increase when administered with food compared to the fasted state. Furthermore, the concentrations achieved at a dose of 5 mg/kg may be sufficient to explore the therapeutic potential in cats with epilepsy.

This study demonstrates that a single 5 mg/kg dose of a CBD drug, administered as the FDA-approved drug for humans and administered with food, safely achieved, in feline plasma, CBD concentrations that can achieve the desired therapeutic effect.

Although it is unknown whether this concentration will have an effect, however, it may serve as a good starting point based on the available literature. Research aimed at evaluating multiple dose pharmacokinetics and therapeutic trials should be conducted to help establish a dosing regimen.

Reference
Jukier, T., Cruz-Espindola, C., Martin, D., & Boothe, D. M. (2023). Disposition of a single oral dose of a cannabidiol medication in healthy cats. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1181517. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1181517.