The internet has been ablaze this past year as more herbal experts come out in support of CBD (it also helps that the medical community is mostly in favor of the herb); but as we’re finding out from holistic vets, pets too can benefit from CBD. Just as it works on humans, dogs also get the same health-boosting effect from using CBD in its varying forms, and as this article explains, there are many health issues that are common with dogs, and for which cannabidiol can be used to alleviate symptoms – or in some cases, cure completely.
1. Treat Seizures and Epilepsy
It is estimated that about 5 percent of dogs experience some form of seizures, and most of these cases are treated with potassium bromide, phenobarbital, or other similar drugs. The drugs are effective but they do have a downside; they cause significant damage to the liver, and they have unpleasant side effects. Keep in mind that some types of seizure medications don’t work at all for some dogs.Some researchexists on this but longer term studies are ongoing.
Preliminary study on CBD and dogs.
2. Promotes Cardiovascular Health
Just as it works in the human body, CBD is known to minimize damage to blood vessels in dogs, stop irregular heartbeat, and dilate the blood vessels for more efficient blood flow. It also decreases cardiac inflammation and prevent cell death caused by oxidative stress.
3. Helps Bowel Disease
Government research into CBD and bowel disease shows that the compound can be used on humans and animals to prevent colitis, a condition that is caused by bowel disease, and it can also help to normalize gut motility. One of the reasons it works so effectively is that CBD contains powerful antibiotic properties (e.g., Staphylococcus Aureus) and this works to keep your pet’s digestive system intact.
4. Relieve Pain & Anxiety
CBD is anti-inflammatory and relieves pain through several processes including:
- Controlling neuropathy and nerve-pain
- Minimizing inflammation caused by oxidative stress
- Reducing inflammation on the intestines and acute pancreatitis
Using CBD every day can help ease the pain if your pet has a chronic illness, or a severe infection causing inflammation and pain. Apart from stopping the pain, CBD can also be used as a treatment for possible anxiety symptoms, and so if your dog needs to chill out, a dose of CBD oil might just do the trick.
5. Protects the Nervous System
Dogs that have degenerative myelopathy or nerve issues can benefit from CBD as it’s been used on patients with severe neurological conditions including ALS, MS, Parkinson’s, among others, with positive results. It might also be used to keep the brain protected from oxidation and toxins in the body.
6. Fights Cancer
This works by preventing cell damage, removing free radicals, and boosting tumor cell death. There are several articles on this research but the consensus among the experts is that CBD generates a strong antioxidant effect that might help fight the onset of cancer.
7. Reduces Inflammation
CBD reduces the release of cytokines that are responsible for inflammation and allergic reactions, and for causing hypersensitivity. Another way CBD helps is by suppressing the forming of inflamed cells that are typically found at sites of injury or infection.
#Tip: For the best results, get pure CBD oil and avoid products with solvents, pesticides, and fungicides.
Resources:
- https://www.avma.org/News/JAVMANews/Pages/180801a.aspx
- https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/cannabis-oil-dogs-everything-you-need-know
- https://www.americanveterinarian.com/news/cannabinoid-product-shown-to-increase-comfort-activity-in-dogs-with-oa
- https://cvmbs.source.colostate.edu/preliminary-data-from-cbd-clinical-trials-promising/
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/cbd-oil-for-dog-seizures/
- https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2018/12/cbd-for-pets
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5938896/
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13543784.2016.1236913
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5009497/
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