Vigo Academy’s online training strengthens the synergy between science, ethics and clinical practice, in line with the growth of the pet market and new therapeutic needs in animal health.
A national survey titled “Demographics of veterinary medicine in Brazil“, conducted by the Regional Councils of Veterinary Medicine of Paraná (CRMV-PR) and Espírito Santo (CRMV-ES), revealed that the country currently has 166,000 active veterinarians. The study places Brazil among the countries with the largest number of Veterinary Medicine professionals and courses in the world, reflecting the expansion of the market and the growing appreciation of animal care as part of public and family health.
In the same sense, the Pet Food Manual Brazilprepared by the Brazilian Association of the Pet Products Industry (Abinpet), identifies the country in which you reside the third largest population of domestic animals on the planetwith approximately 157 million domestic animals including dogs, cats, birds, ornamental fish, reptiles and small mammals. The numbers reveal an increasingly complex and diverse demand for animal healthcare, which goes beyond conventional medicine and incorporates integrative practices, such as the therapeutic use of medicinal cannabis.
“The reality is that owners are increasingly looking for safe and integrative alternatives for the well-being of their animals,” says Dr. Mariana de Paula, veterinary surgeon, CRMV-SP 21.785 and researcher on the therapeutic use of medicinal cannabis. Therefore, with the growing search for alternative and complementary therapies, the scientific and technical responsibility of professionals also increases. “When the professional is not prepared, the tutor himself often comes to the studio bringing information and recent scientific research on new therapies such as, for example, the use of medicinal cannabis”, observes Dr. Mariana.
In this sense the initiative lies with the veterinarian Vigo Academyan educational platform aimed at training healthcare professionals on topics related to Medicinal Cannabis, focusing on science, safety and clinical ethics in the use of Medicinal Cannabis. The institution launched the Medicinal Cannabis Prescription Course for Veterinariansan online training aimed at veterinarians and students who seek to understand, in a technical, scientific and ethical way, the use of Cannabis molecules in different animal species.
The program combines science, safety and clinical practice, covering everything from the biological foundations of the animal endocannabinoid system to dosing protocols, pharmacokinetics, current legislation and patient monitoring. “The proposal is to offer solid training, based on clinical evidence and protocols that give priority to animal welfare and professional safety”, explains Mariana.
According to her, knowledge is essential for the responsible use of molecules such as cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), recognized for their therapeutic potential in the control of refractory epilepsy, chronic pain, inflammation and behavioral disorders. “Medical cannabis is already proving to be an ally in various veterinary treatments, just as it happens in human medicine. Training professionals means ensuring that this practice occurs in a scientific, safe and ethical way”, he underlines. From October 2024, Veterinarians in Brazil are allowed to prescribe cannabis for the treatment of animals.
Continuous training and scientific responsibility
For veterinarians, the expansion of the therapeutic use of Cannabis in veterinary medicine requires permanent updating. “We identified a real urgency in expanding the technical knowledge of fellow animal health professionals. Scientific evidence on phytocannabinoids is evolving rapidly and understanding their action on the endocannabinoid system is essential to ensure safe and effective use in different species,” he says.
Furthermore, the professional adds that veterinary medicine plays a strategic role in promoting the well-being and overall health of companion animals, such as companion animals. “The advancement of medicinal cannabis contributes to a broader vision of care, based on science, compassion and innovation. These are the pillars that guide this training in Vigo, based on theoretical lessons, case studies I have had and specialized technical support for veterinarians,” he emphasizes.
Modern veterinary medicine: cannabis as a new therapeutic frontier?
With the support of studies published in international journals, such as Frontiers of veterinary scienceConsensus is growing that phytocannabinoids represent a new therapeutic frontier for the management of chronic diseases and the improvement of animal welfare.
The dissemination of this technical knowledge, according to the specialist, is essential to align Brazilian veterinary medicine with global trends in integrative and evidence-based medicine.
“The scientific mastery of cannabinoids expands therapeutic possibilities and allows veterinarians to act safely and sensitively when faced with the new demands of the profession. It is a paradigm shift and our role is to prepare these professionals for the future of veterinary medicine. There is no need to be afraid of using Cannabis for animal health, you need to have knowledge,” concludes Dr. Mariana.
Website: https://vigoacademy.com.br/
Source: Terra
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