The New York Times recognizes work of ICAN Vets

For the February edition, The New York Times dedicated a special section to the use of CBD in veterinary practice. The article gathered the testimonies of specialists in Mexico and Colombia, countries that in recent years have led the way in scientific innovation in the field of medical cannabis. Representing Mexico, Mish Castillo, MVZ and co-founder of ICAN Vets, shared some details about the treatment of Nidia, a 55-year-old female Asian elephant.

Nidia suffered from chronic foot problems; her pads were cracked and her nails were cracked and buried. In addition to abscesses and pain, the elephant lost her appetite and consequently experienced a significant weight loss. Nidia's delicate condition prompted the staff in charge to seek professional help. 

At that time, ICAN Vets - also formed and led by MVZ Flor Ortiz - had not administered CBD to this species. Therefore, the treatment (CBD oil) started with very low doses. According to Dr. Castillo, the drug was administered orally in small pieces of fruit. 

In the first five weeks, Nidia gained weight (she gained 555 pounds), was more animated and was more mobile. In addition to improving Nidia's quality of life, ICAN Vets took a big step forward in veterinary medicine, as the elephant's case laid a solid foundation for developing and strengthening treatments for more species. At the same time, Nidia's story showed the importance of working together. 

Dr. Castillo commented: "We were surprised that this happened with such a low dose response, which led us to want to get this information before veterinarians start overdosing other species using the dog or cat dose.