COLLEGE AND PARTNERS LOOK TO THE
FUTURE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
Summer 2019
Vol. 35 No. 2
ISSN 2370-5965
The future of veterinary medicine is unfolding
at an unprecedented pace. Technology,
public expectation and scientific discovery
are impacting business models, care delivery,
education, and regulation.
The College, in partnership with the Ontario
Veterinary Medical Association and the
Ontario Veterinary College, is hosting a two-
day symposium in November to discuss this
important topic.
More than 100 leaders in veterinary medicine
have been invited to share their expertise and
unique perspective. Through the workshop,
participants will identify strategic priorities
that will inform decisions related to business,
education, regulation and veterinary medicine.
A report will be published following the
workshop.
FEATURED
A spotlight on policy
This issue of College Connection explores
the College’s most current policy initiatives.
The College welcomes your feedback on
College Connection.
EDUCATING CLIENTS ABOUT CBD, CANNABIS FOR PETS
By Sarah Silcox, DVM
Since the legalization of cannabis in October
2018, both the Canadian Association of
Cannabinoid Medicine (CAVCM) and the CVO
have been fielding questions from practicing
veterinarians on how best to address client
inquiries regarding the use of CBD and other
cannabis products for their pets.
The most common question that we receive
is this:
My clients are already using cannabis
products for their pets. What can I tell them?
While drugs with cannabis for animals
are currently not available for veterinary
prescription, and veterinarians cannot legally
authorize the use of cannabis for medical
purposes for patients, there is nothing in the
law that prohibits Canadian adults from legally
purchasing recreational cannabis products
from authorized retailers and administering
them to their pets.
Herein lies one of the greatest challenges for
veterinarians.
The CVO advises veterinarians to avoid
making recommendations or providing
dosing information regarding illegal cannabis
products or non-approved cannabis drug
products.
However, the CVO recognizes that the
veterinary team must be able to provide
clients with the information that they need to
reduce any risk of harm and to ensure the
health and safety of patients. That is our job
as veterinarians.
The first step is encouraging your clients
to talk to you about their decision to use
cannabis. Some clients do not feel it
necessary to share this information with us.
Others may be nervous given the lingering
stigma attached to cannabis after almost a
century of prohibition. But this is an important
part of your patients’ medical history.
continued on the back page
CONTENTS
Council News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Ethics Exhaustion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Learning in Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Get to know Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Learning Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 College reputation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Instilling public confidence in veterinary regulation.
www.cvo.org