Regulatory awareness and clinical decision-making regarding phytocannabinoid use among veterinarians in Portugal: an analytical cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Abstract Background Cannabinoid-based therapies are an emerging field in veterinary medicine with potential applications in managing pain, anxiety, and chronic diseases. In Portugal, where no veterinary medicinal products containing phytocannabinoids are authorized, veterinarians’ knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and prescribing practices remain poorly characterized. This cross-sectional survey aimed to assess Portuguese veterinarians’ knowledge, perceptions, and clinical experiences regarding the use of phytocannabinoid-based therapies, identifying factors influencing prescription and perceived efficacy. Methods An online questionnaire was distributed to veterinarians actively practicing in Portugal between July and November 2024, using a convenience sampling approach through professional networks and social media platforms. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics v.27.0, including Chi-square tests, Spearman’s rank correlations, and binary logistic regression. Results A total of 135 valid responses were obtained. Among respondents, 71.9% prescribed or recommended phytocannabinoid-based products, primarily in oil or extract form, most commonly for pain and anxiety. Despite this, more than half of respondents reported having insufficient knowledge or training to appropriately prescribe them. Key barriers to adoption included limited professional knowledge (88.9%), lack of regulatory clarity (61.2%), high product cost (33.0%), and limited scientific evidence (14.6%). Regulatory awareness was notably low, with only 17.8% of respondents correctly identifying INFARMED as the competent authority for cannabis-based veterinary medicines in Portugal. Familiarity with the endocannabinoid system was significantly correlated with prescribing behavior ( ρ = 0.359, p < 0.001), and emerged, together with female gender, as a significant predictor of phytocannabinoid prescription in a multivariable logistic regression model (OR = 2.43, 95% CI 1.37–4.32, p = 0.002). Conclusions Portuguese veterinarians demonstrate patterns of use and perceived benefits of phytocannabinoid-based therapies that are broadly consistent with international findings, suggesting similar clinical challenges across settings. However, substantial gaps remain in regulatory knowledge and professional training. The findings highlight the need for targeted educational initiatives and clearer regulatory guidance to support safe and evidence-based integration of phytocannabinoid therapies into veterinary practice. High interest in further education (94.1%) indicates strong professional demand for structured training and regulatory clarification.