CBD FOR ARTHRITIC PAIN IN DOGS

 

 

Our dog has arthritis in her legs which causes pain, stiffness and impaired mobility, becoming worse over time.  Because she is elderly, and has underlying gastric conditions, treatment with some painkillers is contraindicated.  What to do?

Perhaps other pet owners want to learn more about cannabidiol (CBD) treatment but feel reluctant to discuss it with their vet for fear of being criticised, and I can relate to that, but  I took a deep breath and rang our vet for advice.  While vets are not legally permitted to prescribe CBD, they confirmed there are no know contraindications in relation to her medications.  Basically, go for it.

THC is one of 100+ cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant and is the chemical that is responsible for marijuana’s notorious psychoactive properties. CBD is also a cannabinoid, extracted from hemp, but it does not have any intoxicating properties.  Anecdotal reports of cannabis’s ability to ease chronic pain in conditions such as osteoarthritis have a long history and cannabinoid medicines, offering a novel approach to managing pain, are gradually becoming more mainstream.  However, because of marijuana’s tumultuous history, it remains controversial amongst the public and law makers and well-designed studies, demonstrating that CBD is safe and effective for arthritic pain in humans, is extremely limited and underfunded.

Studies into CBD’s impact on arthritis in animals are much more numerous. A 2017 study into CBD treatment for rats with osteoarthritis reported a reduction in pain symptoms and inflammation and concluded that “these findings suggest that CBD may be a safe, useful therapeutic for treating osteoarthritis joint neuropathic pain.” 

While rats are common test subjects because their genetic and biological characteristics are very similar to humans, interest is fast growing in the use of CBD for arthritis in dogs because it is such a common and debilitating condition.  In 2018 researchers at Baylor College of Medicine conducted the first scientific studies to assess the potential therapeutic effects of CBD on arthritic dogs.  Their studies “showed a significant decrease in pain” and concluded that “2mg/kg of CBD twice daily can help increase comfort and activity in dogs with osteoarthritis.”  “Nine out of 10 dogs on CBD showed benefits, which remained for two weeks after the treatment stopped.”  They detected no alterations in blood markers measured, suggesting that the treatment was safe.   A study published in the journal Pain showed that CBD can significantly reduce the production of inflammatory molecules and immune cells associated with arthritis in dogs.  CBD treatment significantly improved the dogs’ quality of life as recorded by owners and vets, without observable side effects.   

In dogs and humans alike the endocannabinoid system has 2 cannabinoid receptors which produce immune responses.  Both CB1 and CB2 receptors are likely to play a part in arthritis.  CB1 receptors are largely concentrated in the brain and spinal cord while CB2 receptors are mostly found in parts of the body closely associated with the immune system (for example in the gut and in white blood cells).  It is thought to be the interaction between CBD and CB2 receptors, encouraging the body to make more of its own cannabinoids, which creates a positive effect on the body’s pain and inflammation responses. 

So, the next questions is, how much should we give her?  2mg/kg twice daily?  If there was standardisation of potency across CBD oils that could be easily worked out, but unfortunately there is not.  I’m off to find a calculator!

Comments

  1. BridgetOctober 13, 2020 at 4:05 AM

    How do you know if dogs get high?
    Also Donna has cbd oil stuff in her product range..
    Keep updated please, scientific isn't it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JeanieOctober 13, 2020 at 11:30 AM

      Dogs can defs get high on THC/ marijuana - https://youtu.be/i78TtyhEbHk, but not on CBD cos it's different stuff!

      Delete

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