Thai veterinarians' perceptions of cannabidiol products for dogs with osteoarthritis: a qualitative interview study

Introduction

The global popularity of cannabidiol (CBD) led to its approval for human use in Thailand and potential use in animals. Many studies revealed CBD's efficacy in treating chronic osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs. To facilitate tailored CBD product development for canine OA and ensure market success, this study explores Thai veterinarians' perception of CBD for canine OA.

Methods

In-depth interviews were conducted with experienced veterinarians who treated OA in ≥25% of their canine patients. Interview questions covered treatment, CBD perception, and adoption. Interviews were held from January to March 2023.

Results

Eleven out of twenty invited veterinarians participated in the study. Though all favored non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for OA in dogs, concerns about adverse reactions, including ulcers and renal failure, emerged. CBD was widely known and was perceived positively for pain, inflammation, cancer, and epilepsy. However, half distinguished CBD from marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Ten expressed willingness to prescribe CBD for OA upon robust clinical evidence. Worries centered on product consistency and impurities. Many suggested CBD should be under veterinarians' supervision at first, but this can be relaxing once safety and efficacy are established. CBD products should be chewable tablets, oils, or gelatin capsules with flavors like beef, liver, pork, fish, or seafood.

Conclusion

Though CBD benefits were recognized, knowledge gaps among the participants persisted, warranting robust CBD safety, efficacy, and quality evidence to ensure Thai market success. Comprehensive education, including continuing education for those in practice and incorporating CBD-related topics into the Schools of Veterinary's curriculum, is recommended.

Efficacy and safety of cannabidiol for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal intervention studies

Introduction

Canine osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease with chronic inflammation of internal and external joint structures in dogs. Cannabis spp. contains cannabidiol (CBD), a substance known for various potential indications, such as pain relief and anti-inflammatory in various types of animals, including dogs with OA. As CBD is increasingly in the spotlight for medical use, we aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CBD in treating canine OA.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and CAB Direct for animal intervention studies investigating the effects of CBD for canine OA from database inception until February 28, 2023. Study characteristics and findings were summarized. A risk of bias in the included studies was assessed. Meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model to estimate the effects of CBD on pain scores (0-10), expressed as mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE.

Results

Five articles were included, which investigated the effects of CBD in 117 dogs with OA. All studies were rated as having a high risk of bias. CBD products varied substantially, i.e., oral full-spectrum CBD oil in four studies, and isolated CBD oil and liposomal CBD oil in another study. Treatment duration varied from 4-12 weeks. Meta-analyses of three studies found that, in dogs with OA, treatment with oral full-spectrum CBD oil may reduce pain severity scores (MD; -0.60, 95% CI; -1.51 to 0.31, I2 = 45.64%, p = 0.19) and pain interference scores (MD; -1.52, 95% CI; -3.84 to 0.80, I2 = 89.59%, p = 0.20) but the certainty of evidence was very low. CBD is generally considered safe and well-tolerated in the short-run, with few mild adverse events observed, such as vomiting and asymptomatic increase in alkaline phosphatase level.

Conclusion

CBD is considered safe for treating canine OA. CBD may reduce pain scores, but the evidence is very uncertain to conclude its clinical efficacy. High-quality clinical trials are needed to further evaluate the roles of CBD in canine OA.

Assessment of a Combination of Tiletamine/Zolazepam, Ketamine, and Dexmedetomidine for Anesthesia of Swine (Sus domesticus)

This study investigated the induction of anesthesia in swine by injection of tiletamine/zolazepam and ketamine in combination with either dexmedetomidine (TKD) or xylazine (TKX). We hypothesized that TKD would accelerate anesthesia onset and prolong recovery as compared TKX in swine undergoing a noninvasive radiographic procedure. A randomized crossover experiment was performed on 6 healthy, intact, male miniature swine undergoing radiographic examination. Swine were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups: 1) 5mg/kg tiletamine/zolazepam, 2.5mg/kg ketamine, and 0.0125mg/kg dexmedetomidine (TKD) or 2) 5mg/kg tiletamine/zolazepam, 2.5mg/kg ketamine, and 2.5mg/kg xylazine (TKX). Either TKD or TKX was administered intramuscularly at 0.05mL/kg to provide anesthesia for a 45-min radiographic procedure. At 45min after drug administration, atipamezole was administered. During anesthesia, swine were monitored for duration parameters (time to sternal recumbency [onset of anesthesia], lateral recumbency, loss of palpebral reflex, return of the palpebral reflex, and return to sternal recumbency [onset of recovery]) and physiologic parameters (heart rate, %SpO₂, noninvasive blood pressure, and body temperature). Duration and physiologic parameters did not differ between groups at any time point. The results indicate TKD and TKX provide comparable general anesthesia in swine undergoing a radiographic examination.

Ultrasonographic kidney length-to-abdominal aortic diameter for the diagnosis of feline chronic kidney disease: A preliminary study

Background and Aim

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most important diseases in cats. This study aimed to compare the ultrasonographic kidney length-to-abdominal aortic diameter (K/AO) ratio between healthy and CKD cats and investigate the correlation between K/AO and blood results.

Materials and Methods

Fifteen healthy cats and 15 CKD cats were included in this clinically prospective study. All cats were evaluated for radiographic and ultrasonographic K, radiographic K-to-second lumbar length ratio (K/L2), and K/AO, indirect systolic blood pressure and plasma creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and symmetric dimethyl arginine (SDMA).

Results

The radiographic and ultrasonographic kidney lengths of CKD were significantly shorter than those of healthy cats (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively). The average K/L2 and K/AO were significantly lower in CKD than in healthy cats (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). The K/AO had a strong negative correlation with plasma Cr (r = -0.7682, p < 0.0001), BUN (r = -0.6175, p < 0.001), and SDMA (r = -0.589, p < 0.001). However, K/L2 had a moderate negative correlation with plasma Cr (r = -0.5866, p < 0.001), BUN (r = -0.4884, p < 0.01), and SDMA (r = -0.5404, p < 0.01). The optimal cutoff value of K/AO (<10.71) had higher sensitivity and specificity than K/L2 for identifying feline CKD.

Conclusion

Kidney length-to-abdominal aortic diameter could be a better and more promising parameter than the K/L2 ratio for evaluating kidney size in cats with CKD.

The Feasibility of Ultrasonographic Diaphragmatic Excursion in Healthy Dogs: Effect of Positioning, Diaphragmatic Location, and Body Weight of Dogs

Diaphragmatic excursion (DE) has been utilized for detecting respiratory related problems in humans. However, several factors should be considered such as the ultrasound technique and factors intrinsic to patients. Nevertheless, knowledge of the effect of these factors on DE in dogs is still lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proper ultrasound technique by varying postures and diaphragmatic locations for DE measurement and to explore intrinsic factors such as diaphragmatic sides, sex, and body weight of dogs on DE. The prospective, analytic, cross-sectional study included 44 healthy dogs; 12 beagles and 32 dogs of other breeds. The experiment was divided into (i) an exploration of the proper ultrasound technique by varying postures (supine, standing, and recumbent in each of the right and left lateral positions), diaphragmatic locations (middle crus and proximal to the last rib), and diaphragmatic sublocations (xiphoid, mid, and proximal rib) for detection of DE and (ii) the evaluation of canine intrinsic factors affecting DE. The results show that the mid-diaphragmatic sublocation in the middle crus area in almost all positions revealed the highest percentage DE detection. However, DEs were revealed to be more accessible in the supine position. There was no significant difference in DE between the right and the left diaphragms or between the sexes of beagle dogs. However, body weight was significantly correlated with the DE among dogs of various sizes. In conclusion, the posture of the dogs and the diaphragmatic location can affect DE evaluation. Neither sex nor diaphragmatic side had an influence, but body weight was revealed as a major factor in DE in dogs.

Comparison of radiographic and computed tomographic acetabular index in small-breed dogs: a preliminary study using Maltese and Shih Tzu

Background

The morphometry of the acetabulum is one source of information that assists in the clinical diagnosis of the hip and influences the proper selection of a prosthesis, reducing post-operative complications such as those seen in total hip replacement (THR). However, acetabular parameters in small-breed dogs are rarely reported.

Objectives

To investigate acetabular parameters using radiography and computed tomography (CT) in small-breed dogs with Maltese and Shih Tzu dogs used as model breeds.

Methods

Standard calibrated, extended hip radiographs and CT images were obtained. Subsequently, acetabular width (AW) in various directions was measured using radiography and CT, whereas acetabular depth (AD) was obtained by CT. Acetabular index (AI) is a ratio calculated from AD and AW.

Results

The values of AW and AD were much higher in Shih Tzu than in Maltese dogs. Male Shih Tzus showed higher values of these parameters than females, while sex-based differences in most of the parameters could not be detected in Maltese. Body weight, but not age, influenced AWs and ADs. While AWs and ADs were influenced by several factors, AI was comparable among the assessed factors and between Maltese and Shih Tzu dogs (p = 0.172; 31.42 ± 1.35 and 32.60 ± 1.80, respectively). Also, AI did not vary with breed, sex, or body size.

Conclusions

The obtained radiographic and CT acetabular parameters could be useful as guidelines for evaluating the acetabulum of small-breed dogs in clinical practice.

Evaluation of vacuum phenomenon in dogs with coxofemoral degenerative joint disease using computed tomography

Background

Degenerative joint disease (DJD) is a common orthopedic lesion in the coxofemoral joint of canine patients. Concurrent with the sign of degeneration, the vacuum phenomenon (VP), or intra-articular gas, has been observed in several locations in both human and canine patients. A cadaveric study described VP in small breed dogs without DJD but with hip laxity. However, none of the canine VP reports mentioned coxofemoral DJD. Therefore, the aim of this retrospective study was to describe the distribution of coxofemoral VP revealed on computed tomography (CT) imaging in canine patients with DJD.

Results

A total of 282 dogs (564 coxofemoral joints), comprising 142 small, 85 large, and 55 medium breeds, were included in the present study. DJD was found in 31.02% of all dogs. The incidence of DJD was highest in large breed dogs (50%), followed by medium (31.81%) and small (19.36%) breed dogs. In addition, VP was detected with CT using the pulmonary window in 31 joints of 25 dogs that received a diagnosis of hip degenerative disease. VP was found most frequently at the laterodorsal area of the acetabulum. The incidences of VP in large, small, and medium breed dogs were 35.94%, 17.14% and 8.33%, respectively. The presence of coxofemoral VP was significantly and positively correlated with DJD (odds ratio = 17.58, 95% CI 2.32–133.42).

Conclusions

The presence of coxofemoral joint DJD and VP was more likely to be detected in large breed dogs, especially in those with established DJD. CT is an advanced diagnostic imaging modality that can be used to reveal VP lesions, most of which are reported at the laterodorsal acetabulum. Further studies, including comparisons of different patient positions, may reveal more information regarding coxofemoral VP.

Dystroglycan 1: A new candidate gene for patellar luxation in Chihuahua dogs

Aim:

The objective of this study was to uncover new candidate genes related to patellar luxation (PL) in dogs to select for those with low susceptibility for breeding purposes.

Materials and Methods:

The inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) technique was performed to construct DNA fingerprints of 61 Chihuahua dogs with PL and 30 healthy Chihuahua dogs. DNA polymorphisms were detected by comparing the sequences between the affected and unaffected dogs, using the pairwise alignments in MultAlin. Genotyping was performed using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR). The association analysis of ISSR DNA fingerprints and genotypes or phenotypes was performed using the Chi-square (χ²) model and generalized linear model (GLM), respectively.

Results:

Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), namely SNP1UBC811 (g.91175C>G) and SNP2UBC811 (g.92259T>C), were found in the intron of the Dystroglycan 1 (DAG1) gene, which was obtained using the PL-related marker UBC811 primer (p=0.02), and genotyped by AS-PCR. When investigated using the GLM, g.91175C>G had a significant association with PL (p=0.0424), whereas g.92259T>C did not have such an association (p=0.0959).

Conclusion:

DAG1 might be one of the genes related to PL in Chihuahuas and could aid the process of marker-assisted selection in genetic breeding for Chihuahua dogs without PL.

Stimulation of Dentin Regeneration by Using Acemannan in Teeth with Lipopolysaccharide-induced Pulp Inflammation

INTRODUCTION

This study investigated the effects of acemannan, a polysaccharide from Aloe vera, on human deciduous pulp cells in vitro and the response after vital pulp therapy in dog deciduous teeth.

METHODS

Human primary dental pulpal cells were treated with acemannan in vitro and evaluated for proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, type I collagen, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2), BMP-4, vascular endothelial growth factor, and dentin sialoprotein expression and mineralization. Osteogenesis-related gene expression was analyzed by complementary DNA microarray. Pulpal inflammation was induced in dog teeth for 14 days. The inflamed pulp was removed, retaining the healthy pulp. The teeth were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups: acemannan, mineral trioxide aggregate, and formocresol. Sixty days later, the teeth were extracted and evaluated histopathologically.

RESULTS

Acemannan significantly increased pulp cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase, type I collagen, BMP-2, BMP-4, vascular endothelial growth factor, and dentin sialoprotein expression and mineralization approximately 1.4-, 1.6-, 1.6-, 5.5-, 2.6-, 3.8-, 1.8-, and 4.8-fold, respectively, compared with control. In vivo, partial pulpotomy treatment using acemannan generated outcomes similar to mineral trioxide aggregate treatment, resulting in mineralized bridge formation with normal pulp tissue without inflammation or pulp necrosis. In contrast, the formocresol group demonstrated pulp inflammation without mineralized bridge formation.

CONCLUSIONS

Acemannan is biocompatible with the dental pulp. Furthermore, acemannan stimulated dentin regeneration in teeth with reversible pulpitis.

Localized delivery of curcumin from injectable gelatin/Thai silk fibroin microspheres for anti-inflammatory treatment of osteoarthritis in a rat model

The previously developed gelatin/silk fibroin microspheres were loaded with curcumin and applied for anti-inflammatory treatment in monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis (OA) in a rat model. The MIA-induced OA rats received a single intra-articular injection with gelatin or gelatin/silk fibroin (30/70) microspheres encapsulating curcumin. The therapeutic effects of treatment groups [concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in blood serum, radiographic and the histological grading on articular joint] were compared with those of normal saline treated OA and normal rats. The result showed that both microsphere groups reduced the level of IL-6 in serum after 1 week of treatment. The gelatin/silk fibroin (30/70) microspheres encapsulating curcumin delayed the cellular destruction in articular joint and synovial tissue after 8 weeks. The radiographic and histological gradings on articular cartilage lesion and synovial tissue change of rats treated with gelatin/silk fibroin (30/70) microspheres encapsulating curcumin were close to those of the normal rats. It was explained that the slow-degrading gelatin/silk fibroin (30/70) microspheres released curcumin for extended period and showed a prolonged anti-inflammatory effect, compared to the fast-degrading gelatin microspheres. This delivery system of curcumin was suggested to be applied for localized treatment of anti-inflammatory in OA with minimal invasion.

Effects of different omega-3 sources, fish oil, krill oil, and green-lipped mussel against cytokine-mediated canine cartilage degradation

Our purpose was to evaluate the protective effect of three marine omega-3 sources, fish oil (FO), krill oil (KO), and green-lipped mussel (GLM) against cartilage degradation. Canine cartilage explants were stimulated with either 10 ng/mL interleukin-1β (IL-1β) or IL-1β/oncostatin M (10 ng/mL each) and then treated with various concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 3 and 30 μg/mL), FO, KO, or GLM (250, 500, and 1000 μg/mL) for 28 days. Gene expression was then investigated in primary canine chondrocytes. Our results showed that DHA and EPA as well as omega-3 sources could suppress matrix degradation in cytokine-induced cartilage explants by significantly reducing the increase of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (s-GAGs) and preserving uronic acid and hydroxyproline content (except GLM). These agents were not able to reduce IL-1β-induced IL1B and TNFA expression but were able to down-regulate the expression of the catabolic genes MMP1, MMP3, and MMP13 and up-regulate the anabolic genes AGG and COL2A1; FO and KO were especially effective. Our findings indicated that FO and KO were superior to GLM for their protective effect against proteoglycan and collagen degradation. Hence, FO and KO could serve as promising sources of chondroprotective agents.

Treatment of Peri-Implant Defects in the Rabbit's Tibia with Adipose or Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stems Cells

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) treatment in conjunction with bone graft materials or space filler can be an alternative to autogenous bone grafts in the treatment of peri-implant bone defects.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the success of bone regeneration capacity of adipose-derived and bone marrow-derived MSCs for the treatment of peri-implant bone defects when applied with a beta-tricalcium phosphate/collagen-based scaffold.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty implants were placed into the tibiae of 10 rabbits bilaterally. Surgical defects created around the implants were treated with one the following treatment modalities: 1) adipose-derived MSC transplanted scaffold + collagen membrane; 2) bone marrow-derived MSC transplanted scaffold + collagen membrane; 3) autogenous bone + collagen membrane; and 4) collagen membrane only. The bone regeneration capacity of each technique was determined by histomorphometry, micro-CT, and measuring the implant stability by resonance frequency analysis.

RESULTS

One limb of one rabbit was excluded because of fracture, and another limb was excluded because of infection. All parameters on 36 implants revealed that both sources of MSC can form equivalently new bone that is comparable with autogenous bone. The defects treated with membrane only had significantly less bone formation compared with other groups.

CONCLUSION

Both adipose-derived and bone marrow-derived MSC treatments are feasible alternatives to autogenous bone grafts in the treatment of peri-implant osseos defects.

Incidence and genetic aspects of patellar luxation in Pomeranian dogs in Thailand

There is a high incidence of patellar luxation (PL) in Pomeranian dogs from Thailand. DNA samples were collected from 59 dogs originating from 15 families. PL was present in 75% of the dogs with a male:female ratio of 1:1.95. Polymorphic microsatellites situated close to the COL6A1, COL6A3, COL9A1, COL9A2, and COL9A3 genes were analyzed for linkage to the phenotype. Sibling-pair analysis revealed that none of the collagen markers analyzed had a high non-parametric linkage score with the highest score, 1.56, for COL9A2 (P=0.07). The low LOD scores for these collagen genes indicated a non-involvement in the pathogenesis of PL in Pomeranians. An association study with a low density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) set indicated the possible involvement of a region on chromosome 7. The association of this region remained indicative when larger groups of 43 cases and 40 controls were compared (Chi square test P=0.01).