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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Anim Sci / The use of cannabidiol as a novel treatment for oral stereot...
Veterinary and animal science2023; 19; 100289; doi: 10.1016/j.vas.2023.100289

The use of cannabidiol as a novel treatment for oral stereotypic behaviour (crib-biting) in a horse.

Abstract: Behaviour is the response of living things to their environment and external stimulation, and is one of the parameters to be observed when assessing animal welfare. 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. It has been reported that once stabled or subjected to stressful activities, horses have more susceptibility of developing behavioural disturbances; therefore, behavioural disorders in horses are a strong indicator of poor welfare. .-derived molecules have been studied under different medical conditions; the therapeutic potentials of phytocannabinoids are related to the effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol (CBD), and other compounds. Cannabidiol has many activities within the central nervous system, such as anxiolytic, antidepressant, antipsychotic, anticonvulsant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Some studies have recently shown the potential and successful therapeutic use of phytocannabinoids in veterinary medicine. This clinical case report described a 22-year-old mare suffering from chronic crib-biting and wind-sucking, and the successful outcome of four weeks-therapy with CBD. This is the first report of the successful therapeutic use of phytocannabinoids in equine behavioural disorders.
© 2023 The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2023-02-07 PubMed ID: 36824298PubMed Central: PMC9941357DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2023.100289Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study details the successful use of cannabidiol, a compound found in cannabis, to treat an equine behavioral disorder known as crib-biting in a 22-year-old mare.

Overview of Article

  • The article begins by discussing the nature and importance of behavior in assessing the welfare of animals. Any departure from natural behaviors may result in stereotypies, repetitive behaviors with no apparent function.
  • Stressful conditions or the act of stabling can increase the likelihood of such behaviors in horses, indicating a decrease in their overall well-being.
  • Phytocannabinoids, such as cannabidiol, have been investigated for their use in various medical conditions. These molecules can have various effects within the central nervous system, including acting as anticonvulsants, antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, and anti-inflammatories.
  • Recent studies have pointed to the potential therapeutic use of phytocannabinoids in veterinary medicine.

Cannabidiol’s Role in Treatment

  • Within this research, the researchers detail a specific case wherein a 22-year-old mare exhibited chronic crib-biting, a common equine stereotypy.
  • The mare underwent a four-week course of treatment with cannabidiol (CBD). A significant positive change was seen in the mare’s behavior, leading the team to deem the treatment a success.
  • This is the first known instance in which phytocannabinoids have been used successfully to treat behavioral disorders in horses.

Significance of the Findings

  • The results showcase the potential value of CBD in treating behavioral issues in horses, a promising development in veterinary medicine.
  • Given that these behaviors are often indicative of poor animal welfare, the introduction of effective treatments could substantially improve the overall well-being of horses.
  • Further research may illuminate additional potential uses of CBD and other phytocannabinoids in the context of veterinary medicine.

Cite This Article

APA
Cunha RZ, Felisardo LL, Salamanca G, Marchioni GG, Neto OI, Chiocchetti R. (2023). The use of cannabidiol as a novel treatment for oral stereotypic behaviour (crib-biting) in a horse. Vet Anim Sci, 19, 100289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vas.2023.100289

Publication

Veterinary and animal science
ISSN: 2451-943X
NlmUniqueID: 101694897
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 19
Pages: 100289
PII: 100289

Researcher Affiliations

Cunha, Rodrigo Zamith
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (UNI EN ISO 9001:2008), University of Bologna, Italy.
Felisardo, Letícia Locatelli
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University Metodista of São Paulo, Brazil.
Salamanca, Giulia
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (UNI EN ISO 9001:2008), University of Bologna, Italy.
Marchioni, Gabriela Gomes
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University Metodista of São Paulo, Brazil.
Neto, Orlando Iazzetti
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University Metodista of São Paulo, Brazil.
Chiocchetti, Roberto
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (UNI EN ISO 9001:2008), University of Bologna, Italy.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Eichler F, Poźniak B, Machnik M, Schenk I, Wingender A, Baudisch N, Thevis M, Bäumer W, Lischer C, Ehrle A. Pharmacokinetic modelling of orally administered cannabidiol and implications for medication control in horses.. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1234551.
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