Veterinarian Administers Medical Marijuana To Dogs, Says It Works Wonders

 Posted by at 6:49 AM on March 5, 2013  Medical Marijuana Policy  Add comments
Mar 052013
 

medical marijuana dogVeterinarian Doug Kramer considers his work to be “enlightened”, even naming his clinic the Enlightened Veterinary Therapeutics. When hearing about his out-of-the-box methodolgy, it’s hard to argue.

Dr. Kramer administers medical marijuana to dogs, especially those with late-staged cancer. He does so in his clinic, and is undeniably vocal about it. He’s not hiding what he’s doing, and instead is making sure to spread the word as far and wide as he can.

In an article published recently on Dogster.com, one of the largest dog sites in the world, Kramer states, regarding the decision to go against the law:

“The decision was an easy one for me to make…I refuse to condemn my patients to a miserable existence for self preservation or concerns about what may or may not happen to me as a consequence of my actions. My freedom of speech is clearly protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution. This is an issue of animal welfare, plain and simple. Remaining silent would represent a clear violation of the veterinarian’s oath I took when I was admitted into this profession.”

Certainly noble.

On his website, Dr. Kramer notes that; “Overwhelming documented and empirical evidence suggests that there is a role for medicinal marijuana in veterinary medicine…In many, many scientific studies, THC and its synthetic derivatives have been shown to be effective in most animal models of pain.”

Dr. Kramer, who’s the first veterinarian in the country to (at least openly) administer medical cannabis to dogs, is not a medical cannabis patient himself. His venture started when his dog, Nikkita, was diagnosed with cancer. This led to Dr. Kramer studying recent cannabis research, which pushed him to create a homemade cannabis tincture, which he administered to her.

Dr. Kramer, who spoke with us briefly, states; “It restored her appetite, made her lively again. It was a complete turnaround and she got to live her final days in a much better way.”

After Nikita’s death, Dr. Kramer felt bound to continue harnessing cannabis as a medicine so that he could help other dogs with terminal diseases that may benefit from it. This led to him opening Enlightened Veterinary Therapeutics, which specializes in palliative and hospice care, and is the first and only clinic in the country to offer cannabis consultations as a pet treatment plan.

Going forward, Dr. Kramer hopes that his message spreads, and that we change our laws to enable doctors and others to truly study and recognize the vast benefits that medical cannabis can bring, whether you’re a human, or a dog.

Source: The Joint Blog

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About Johnny Green

Johnny Green is a marijuana activist from Oregon. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy. Follow Johnny Green on Facebook and Twitter. Also, feel free to email any concerns.
  • Johnny oneye

    My Dogs love cannabis . my dogs have killed many plants. They like the big fan leaves , Like the grass on a lawn they will eat it till they pass out.
    I cant let them anywhere near my plants!

  • http://www.facebook.com/kathy.nobrega Kathy Nobrega

    cannabis oil cures cancer. in ANY animal, including us. bravo to this vet. hero.

  • http://www.facebook.com/dreaminhigh Kirk Sherrill

    Thank you Dr. Kramer.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1756691050 Booth McKeown

    I have an Australian Shepherd who is 13 years old and arthritic. I put canna-infused butter or olive oil on his food, or feed him raw bud (he likes it). Makes a tremendous difference in his level of pain and quality of life.

  • James Burtnett

    I have given canna butter to several of my dogs for pain & panic attacks. It’s the best no bad side effects and you can’t overdose, it is a mellow medicine.

  • Jamie Guest

    I too had a crazy old dog that was completely psychotic and scheduled to be put down until some good ole green tonic water calmed her right down and anyone who met her never ever could believe that she could have ever been hostile. This vet has balls and i respect him very much for speaking out.

    • http://www.facebook.com/djw0n Rob Frost

      scheduled to be put down cause your dog was too crazy? my dog is very wild n crazy for being 11 yrs old, i wonder if i should get her medicated lol

  • Home for sick dogs

    I have 3 dogs: Emma, 1st generation silver lab, with breast cancer and hip dysplasia. Memes,
    who we call micro dog that looks like part terrier, poodle, and spaniel, who has
    advanced breast cancer, fatty liver and liver cancer. Bonita, American Water Spaniel
    with epilepsy; she has continuous small seizures along with grand mal seizures.

    I started all three dogs on medical cannabis about two month past. When my daughter brought
    Memes to me she was constantly vomiting and would not eat or drink. I was told
    Memes may last a month. She was given to me with a UTI, blood infection and ear
    infection; they did put her three antibiotics for the infections. The vet
    thought I was wasting my money for the treatment. Her last visit, the vet was
    very surprised that her liver has improved and she was very active in his
    office. She now wants to eat, run and never misses the chance to escape out the
    door when she can; I have a closed yard so she is safe. Memes only vomits if a
    neighbor gives her something fatty. I did put a stop to this. All the neighbors
    just love this dog. This is all new for Memes. The vet has extended her life
    expectancy to six months to a year. He was very shocked that her condition improved
    so quickly.

    Bonita, has not had a grand mal seizure since she began the treatment with cannabis. Even her
    constant mini seizures have nearly resolved. She is no longer skittish nor
    pants or paces constantly. She is walking better and eager to get out. She is
    actually running; I cannot keep up with her. She is like a new dog.

    Emma was unable to get out of bed to eat, drink and to get her out of the house was impossible.
    She has breast cancer and hip dysplasia. After a week on cannabis she is up
    eating and drinking. Her hip dysplasia does not stop her from getting out of
    the house. When I get her leash, she is up and ready to go. She actually wants
    to walk faster than I can. She shows no pain from her breast cancer. Nor does
    Memes.

    I was skeptical giving cannabis to my dogs because of the negative information from web sites
    that cannabis was poisonous to dogs and cats. However, I noticed that they sniff
    the cannabis and want to eat it in its natural form. Since lose stool is a
    problem after eating it in its natural form, I steeped it in Olive Oil and put
    it into their food. They love the Olive Oil and have no side effects but positive.

  • gomer

    I wish my old dog harley had met you for the last 3 years – she whined with hip pain, could not hear herself, everyone hated her being in the room. I let her live her life out as best as possible in a great surrounding but always wished her suffering could be alleviated without sedation.

  • bbf

    Works to be sure! Be careful with THC dosage, because you CAN overdose your dog. The medicine itself won’t kill them, but there are variables that manifest as a result of too much THC…most notably would be dehydration. My dogs are arthritic and benefit from higher levels of CBD. Just food for thought…

  • Sister Sweetea

    I agree that thc levels should be considered for dogs and humans. There is such a thing as too much. And while you can’t do any significant damage to humans, dogs many times more sensitive and need to rely on instinct. I seen permant damage do dogs that got ahold of mass amounts of goodies accidently. We know that There are high levels of cbd’s in the stems and leaves. I have treated several dogs with seriouse health and mental problems. I make what i call Pooch Juice from the stems. Rendering off the thc and reprocessing for a life giving invigorating CBD Tea. By the way, we drink it too. The amount of thc i give a dog depends on what i am treating it for. I also do oils that folks put on the dogs food. A beutiful Akita who was so neurotic it was eating car seats and furniture from separation anxiety was his way to the shelter if the very distressed owner could not control matters. They approached me. I was very leary at first because what they wanted “something strong”. After a couple weeks i consented and made a mired of products. What worked the best in that case was a table spoon of a medium strength oil in his food every morning. When i saw this animal which was often, he was happy active and so was the owner. For artheritis i would recomend a tea and medium oil. Peace Sister Sweetea.

  • May

    I saved my dog from dying from congestive heart failure on Wednesday night with RSO or better known as hemp oil. She was literally knocking on deaths door as I was making the oil for the very first time to help combat my best friends moms cancer. As a last resort I swiped a very small amount on her tongue and prayed for a miracle. MY PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED!! She’s been up walking around, not coughing, and there is life back in her eyes. I am ecstatic to be able to provide a cure for my loved one and my dog. Marijuana is not legal in my state and I do not smoke it. I am an advocate for the legalization of marijuana for all it’s medicinal properties. If only had known 5 1/2 years ago my mom could still be here enjoying her grand children. RIP Mom

  • http://www.facebook.com/dreaminhigh Kirk Sherrill

    I had a lab live for over 18 years. He sneezed at tobacco smoke but loved cannabis.

  • http://www.facebook.com/katherine.g.bryant Katherine Geranis Bryant

    Thank you for your service of these pets we all love as family,I appualed you for caring enough so they may enjoy their last days as much and as long as possible.