The wellness benefits of medical cannabis and how they can help human patients are well documented. In addition to countless personal patient testimonies, a search for peer-reviewed studies on PubMed.gov for the term ‘marijuana’ at the time of this article’s posting yields over 55,000 results.

Medical cannabis’ wellness benefits are not limited to just humans. Researchers are increasingly finding that medical cannabis can also help animals. A team of researchers in Italy affiliated with the University of Bologna and the University of Teramo recently published a case report involving the administration of cannabis oil that is rich in THC and CBD to horses. The case report was published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science.

“This case report describes the use of combined oral and topical THC-rich and CBD-rich full-spectrum cannabis oils as part of a palliative care strategy in a rescued horse with severe chronic disease. A senior mixed-breed gelding was rescued with a large, chronic ulcerative lesion of the left hind limb, severe malnutrition, non-weight-bearing lameness (AAEP grade 5/5), and refractory pain. Diagnostic workup identified a fibroblastic equine sarcoid complicated by complete suspensory tendon rupture, early osteomyelitis, and chronic joint disease. Conventional medical and surgical options were limited due to poor response, disease severity, and resource constraints.” the researchers wrote.

“A long-term palliative protocol was initiated using oral THC-rich and CBD-rich full-spectrum cannabis oils (1:1 ratio; 100 mg/mL each) with gradual dose escalation to a target of 0.5 mg/kg of each compound every 12 hours. The same formulation was applied topically to the wound once to twice daily. Treatment duration was 10 months, with concurrent multimodal analgesia as needed.” the researchers added.

The researchers found that the cannabis oil therapy provided “sustained improvements” in the subject’s appetite, body condition, pain, and mobility. The researchers also noted “marked wound improvement.” They did not observe any adverse effects or laboratory abnormalities as a result of the cannabis oil therapy.

“This case supports the potential role of combined THC-rich and CBD-rich cannabis oils as a safe and effective adjunct in multimodal palliative care for horses with chronic, refractory conditions. Controlled studies are warranted to define optimal dosing and indications.” the researchers concluded.

This is not the first time that this type of research has been conducted in Italy. In 2023, a team of researchers from Italy, in collaboration with researchers from Brazil, published findings in the scientific journal Veterinary and Animal Science reporting a “successful outcome of four weeks-therapy with CBD” in a clinical case involving a 22-year-old Quarter horse experiencing behavioral disorders.

At the heart of that study was a 22-year-old mare subject that was reportedly suffering from “chronic crib-biting and wind-sucking,” which are common behavioral disorders in horses for various reasons, including but not limited to poor welfare. According to the researchers, “Any alteration from the conditions found in nature can lead to the occurrence of some specific behaviours, called stereotypies which are characterised as repetitive, consistent patterns of behaviour usually defined as having no apparent ultimate or proximal functions.”

“According to the owner report, the mare had presented this behaviour for the past 15 years; previous clinical approaches, such as a cervical collar, environmental enhancement, diet change, and chemical tranquilizers (acepromazine 0,1 mg/kg T.I.D) were not successful.” the researchers stated in their findings.

“The horse was placed in therapy with commercially available isolated CBD 200 mg/ml at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/daily q12h per os. The dose and frequency were determinate based on previous case report and veterinary pharmacological studies (Ellis and Contino 2021). During the therapy, there were no changes in food quality/quantity or the daily routine of the mare.” the researchers stated about the CBD treatment specifically.

“The results after 30 days of therapy were positive and no regression in behaviour was seen by the owners after the treatment ended.” the researchers concluded.