Medical marijuana is an option in some jurisdictions for patients suffering from conditions like cancer, seizures, pain, and anxiety. Naturally, both pet owners and vets are interested in learning whether CBD for dogs, whether in the form of products like CBD dog treats or CBD oil for dogs, can offer the same advantages.Here is all the information you require regarding CBD for pets.
Dog THC vs. Dog CBD
One of more than eighty distinct chemical substances known as “cannabinoids” that have been extracted from the cannabis (marijuana) plant is CBD. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most well-known cannabinoid, is psychoactive; CBD is not.
Instead, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications), which include ibuprofen and Rimadyl, and CBD share key metabolic pathways. These pathways regulate a variety of bodily functions, including blood coagulation and inflammatory reactions.
The main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), should not be given directly to dogs or in any product. Simply put, there is not enough research to support the use. However, when taken in conjunction with other treatments, CBD-based medicines may assist to enhance the quality of life for your dog.
Why Do Dogs Need CBD?
CBD is frequently suggested as an effective treatment for several ailments, including pain relief, arthritis, anxiety, seizures, and even cancer. There is varied degrees of scientific evidence for each situation, despite the paucity of research on the utility of CBD in treating each of these illnesses.
Arthritis
It seems to make sense that CBD would be beneficial for some inflammatory diseases because it shares metabolic pathways with anti-inflammatory medications (anything that ends with -itis is an inflammatory condition).
One of the most prevalent inflammatory illnesses in dogs is osteoarthritis, which is frequently referred to as arthritis. In their lifespan, one in four dogs may receive an arthritis diagnosis, and according to some estimates, up to 60% of dogs already have the condition.
According to research, CBD can significantly reduce pain in dogs with arthritis when administered twice daily at the recommended levels.
Pain
The anti-inflammatory benefit observed in canines with arthritis might theoretically also be observed in canines with other inflammatory pain conditions, particularly back pain caused by intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD).
Combination medications that contain both CBD and THC are more effective for pain treatment than either drug administered alone, according to preliminary human research. THC should not be administered to dogs, however, as no such research has been conducted on them.
Seizures
There has not been much research done on CBD’s effects on dogs, but seizures are the condition that has been studied the most in humans. Seizures in dogs can be brought on by a wide range of underlying illnesses.
There is some evidence to support the idea that CBD may help reduce the frequency of seizures in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. These advantages, meanwhile, are only observed in dogs who also receive conventional anti-seizure drugs.
Cancer
Like seizures, the term “cancer” is an umbrella phrase that covers a wide range of distinct medical conditions, each of which has its own unique set of curative therapies.
People with cancer may benefit from using CBD both to treat the tumor(s) themselves and to treat the side effects of chemotherapy and cancer. There is a dearth of study on CBD’s potential benefits for cancer-stricken canines.
However, rats and ferrets have also been shown to experience CBD’s anti-nausea properties, which suggests that CBD therapy may be beneficial for dogs undergoing chemotherapy.
Anxiety
One of the biggest myths is that CBD may help dogs with their anxiety. Theoretically, CBD might indirectly lessen anxiety induced by pain or inflammation by reducing pain and inflammation.
However, since CBD does not have any intoxicating effects, it is unclear that it will be able to alleviate canine anxiety in the same way that Prozac and other drugs can. As with other problems, there needs to be a lot more research done before CBD can be used to treat canine anxiety.
Risks that CBD for dogs may pose
In general, CBD is extremely safe for dogs and cats. However, several academic studies have discovered that CBD does raise a key liver value on blood tests called alkaline phosphatase when taken at the prescribed doses (ALP).
We are still unsure if the elevated liver measurement has any clinical relevance. It can mean that CBD causes liver inflammation or harm. Alternatively, it can be a false positive result brought on by the medicine interfering with how the lab analyzes the liver value.
There are anecdotal instances of dogs getting slightly drowsy or sedated after receiving exceptionally high doses of CBD, but such side effects seem to go away on their own over time.
When administered to a dog using an anti-inflammatory medication like Rimadyl, CBD does not appear to interact with any other medications. As with any medication, there is a theoretical possibility of a drug interaction, therefore you should speak to your vet before administering CBD to your dog.
THC Hazards to Canines
THC, in contrast to CBD, can seriously harm your pet.
The owner and medical director of Oakland, California’s Montclair Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Gary Richter, claims that “the most important [problem] is THC toxicity, which basically means they are high.” The effects of an overdose on a pet “can be quite long-lasting, even days,” depending on how severe it was.
A pet may not be able to stand or eat during these episodes. Take your pet to the vet right away if you think it may be suffering from THC toxicity. To reduce risks, THC’s secondary effects, particularly respiratory depression, should be continuously monitored.
Overall, cannabinoids pose “extremely rare” risks to dogs’ lives, according to Dr. Richter. For THC in dogs, there is no known lethal dose. A THC dosage that is 1,000 times higher than what a dog needs to feel “high” is still not lethal.
When a pet consumes a product that also contains chocolate, coffee, or raisins, THC toxicity occurs more frequently. Even if the THC toxicity is not too high, these other ingredients can occasionally cause issues, according to Dr. Richter.
How much CBD can dogs receive?
Although there are some topical treatments, dogs are typically given CBD oil orally, and it is crucial to use the right dosage. Success with any medication depends on dosage, according to Dr. Richter.
Studies on CBD use for dogs with arthritis or seizures typically use a dose of 2–8 mg/kg twice daily, with most papers erring on the lower end of that estimate (1-2 mg/lb. of body weight).
This dosage has been discovered to be safe and productive for the conditions being studied. To determine the CBD dosages required for treating other conditions, more research is needed.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has discovered that many CBD products contain little, if any, CBD, which presents a challenge when trying to administer CBD to dogs correctly.
Veterinarians could theoretically prescribe Epidiolex, the only FDA-approved cannabinoid product, for dogs with epilepsy, but doing so would be prohibitively expensive. Contrary to most other CBD products on the market, this product’s CBD content would be accurate because it is FDA-approved.
Veterinarians in the United States are not permitted to prescribe or dispense CBD, and they cannot advise or prod patients to buy CBD products. However, they are free to discuss with you the advantages and disadvantages of a treatment strategy you might have developed on your own. Speak to your veterinarian if you are thinking about giving CBD to your dog, and you might also want to meet with a vet who has knowledge of CBD.
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