CBD Oil For Pets By Dr. Andrew Jones
“Marijuana can help your dogs and cats for an array of health conditions – it personally made a big difference in helping my last dog Lewis with mouth cancer, and many pet owners have reported an array of positive benfits to me. Lewis had an oral carcinoma that extended to the back of his eye, and after surgery I wanted to make him happy and comfortable. Traditional anti-inflammatories (metacam), did not work. A strong narcotic (Fentanyl) was not helping. So I tried primarily CBD oil, and he responded surprisingly well. He was able to be comfortable, sleep through the night, and the next day he bounded up the trail for his walk. He lived for another 3 months, being very comfortable and pretty darn happy, only on CBD, with a small amount of THC. My point being it proved to be very helpful for me, gave me more quality time with Lewis, and he was happy. I can’t say enough positive things about how it helped Lewis.
THC/CBDTHC Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC is the most common cannabinoid and is responsible for the “high” that a user feels when ingesting it. It is also an antioxidant and relieves pain, spasms, nausea and more. CBD Cannabidiol or CBD is gaining popularity because, unlike THC, it is not psychoactive. In other words, the user does not get “high” from CBD. CBD offers benefits such as relief from pain, inflammation, or anxiety and reduces spasms, inhibits cancerous cell growth, stops seizures and more. How CBD Works. The cannabis plant contains a number of different chemicals, including CBD, phytocannabinoids, terpenoids and flavonoids. Humans and other mammals have specific cannabinoid receptor sites. These sites are primarily in the brain and central nervous system, and in peripheral organs, especially immune cells. They make up what’s called the endocannabinoid system. Studies show that many cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory effects, and can help with pain, tumors, seizures, muscle spasms, skin conditions, appetite stimulation, aggression, anxiety and neurological disorders.
Epilepsy Dose
A study on epilepsy in rats (completed by the University of Utah, Turkanis et al. 1979) showed the anti-convulsant effects of CBD (0.3- mg/kg). The study compared CBD to THC and two prescription anti-convulsant drugs (Phenytoin and Ethosuximide). The study showed that CBD was the most effective “drug” tested for treating convulsions and after-discharge effects. Even at the lowest dose tested in the study, 0.3 mg/kg (this equals about 7mg for a 50lb dog), CBD showed dramatic results.
Toxicity of Cannabis
I get asked this a lot. It is VERY safe, and in veterinary practice I did see many dogs who had inadvertently consumed excess amounts of THC. They were ‘staggery’, weak, and some were ill for 12 hours, but ALL recovered 100%. No organ affects, all were completely fine. By comparison I saw many dogs/cats with serious organ dysfunction from NSAIDS (anti inflammatory pills).
Clearly if some ill informed pet owner gives their pet too much THC there will be side effects, but in virtually all cases this will pass, and their dog/cat will be completely fine. Not the case with many of the common conventional medications though. Kidney failure from Rimadyl is not reversible.
I Cannot Access Cannabis; What Should I Do?
If you live in an area that does not have safe and legal access to cannabis medication, there is still hope. There are products available that are CBD-only products. These products are made from hemp, which is legal anywhere in the world. While I believe using the whole-plant medicine is better than CBD alone, CBD-only products can have beneficial effects. Various hemp oil products are available on the market today, but the key when buying these products is to do research on them. Many of these products are grown from industrial hemp, which, if not tested, may contain heavy metals and other toxins. In addition, there are differences between hemp oil and CBD oil. Be sure you’re purchasing a product that does contain CBD.
Starting Doses of CBD For pain/arthritis
Start with a low dose of .1mg -.2mg of CBD/10lbs daily. This can be increased to twice daily, then the dose can be increased to help with symptoms (ie give adequate pain relief). So for instance a 50lb dog would start with .5-1mg of CBD once to twice daily.
Epilepsy
If you are treating seizures, then a minimum higher dose of 1.5mg/10lbs. The 50lb dog would need 7mg of CBD/day.
Cancer
For cancer the doses vary, and many of the alternative veterinarians suggest it to be given in combination with THC in a 1:1 ratio. I would be starting at the lower dose (.1mg/10lbs twice daily), then increasing it as pet adjusted to it. If all you can get is CBD, then use it for adequate pain control, and some of it’s anticancer properties. Start with a low dose of .1mg -.2mg of CBD/10lbs daily. This can be increased to twice daily, then the dose can be increased to help with symptoms ( ie give adequate pain relief) So for instance a 50 lb dog would start with .5-1mg of CBD once to twice daily.
P.S. Many of you can’t legally access medical marijuana, but you can get CBD oil if produced from industrial hemp. (that it the cannabis plant low in THC). Canna-Pet is one option.”
CBD WITH THC DOSAGE (RATIO CBD to TCH 5:1)
Animals are like humans in that our endocanabinoid system it now awakened until it starts receiving CBD/THC, meaning often initial exposure doesn’t do much. Animals metabolize (process) THC a 1000 X stronger than humans (assuming product has THC in it).The minimum starting dosage is 1 drop per six pounds of body weight every 4 hours. Then see how pet reacts. If pet seems disoriented dial back to 1 drop every 5-6 hours. It is very, very therapeutic for animals to take CBD right before bed time because of all the healing process that happens in the body. It boosts the healing capacity that we have at night time.
In order for CBD to be effective it has to have 5:1 ratio of CBD to THC ! This product is highly recommended… CBD COMPANION
The minimum starting dosage for COMPANION product is 1 drop per 5 pounds of body weight every 4 hours. Then see how pet reacts. If pet seems disoriented dial back to 1 drop every 5-6 hours. If you do not see any effects double the dose to 2 drops.
CBD FOR CATS
MORE ON CBD FOR CATS…
CBD – HEMP
For those who would rather use CBD (hemp) this is a good company that has reasonably priced products and money back guarantee…
