Medical marijuana has been legalized in 23 states for a range of different ailments, many of which affect pets as much as they do people. The issue remains controversial, but much of the contention is caused by a lack of nuance. You cannot broach it by treating all cannabinoids alike. There are over a hundred of them, and each has its own highly individual effects on pets. CBD hemp oil is a cannabinoid that lacks the intoxicating effects caused by THC. A range of case studies and anecdotes have emerged to suggest its efficacy in epilepsy, nausea, chronic pain, and Dravet syndrome. As yet, it hasn’t been exposed to randomized double blind trials, so evidence is thin on the ground. That said, if your pet is receiving palliative care, a CBD oil specifically formulated for dogs can soothe away much of the discomfort.
Why Not THC?
The Pet Poison Hotline has endured a 330% rise in accidental marijuana ingestions over the last few years, with the ASPCA experiencing a rise of 50%. It’s a toxin in pets that can cause death. Dogs who’ve been given THC will experience diarrhea, vomiting, jerking, and seizures. There’s very little data about how furry friends respond to long term exposure to marijuana, so it should be avoided. This means many of the illnesses you associate with medical marijuana don’t apply to pet treatment.
CBD Oil
As one of the most common cannabinoids, hemp CBD such as Canna-Pet has a negligible amount of THC. It has no known toxic level. Some animal studies show that it might slow the growth of some forms of cancer.
Glioma and Other Cancers
There is no single disease called “cancer” but rather hundreds of different types of cancer. Each one responds differently to the available treatments, so there can be no single miracle cure. Studies of neonatal rats have shown that cannabidiol might protect the brain from degeneration. If your pet has glioma, hemp oil could be a worthwhile additive to existing care. Most studies of this form of cancer involved THC, which isn’t safe for animals. Of four breast cancer studies, CBD has shown itself to be moderately useful in rats. Mouse trials also showed some slowing of growth in certain kinds of lung cancer, but THC increased metastases in others. Most trials done on cancer are preclinical, which doesn’t mean CBD is useless, but only that more studies are needed.
Synthetic Cannabinoids
Synthetic cannabinoids have performed well in some trials. They can trigger cell death, prevent cells from dividing, and keep blood vessels from transforming into tumors. They can also stimulate cancer cell growth in some cancers, so if your pet needs care, CBD oil should be selected specifically to suit his unique situation and type of disease.
The Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana
CBD oil is typically taken from hemp, which is distinct from recreational marijuana. The latter has high levels of THC, the chemical that causes the euphoria associated with the street drug. Hemp’s levels of THC are low. This makes it nontoxic for pets, but it also means you cannot benefit from some of the positive effects THC has on pain, nausea, and other palliative care related symptoms.
Other Ailments for CBD
Hemp oil might be a worthwhile support for things like:
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Joint pain
- Inflammation
- Seizures
- Allergies
Cannabidiol trials show that it acts as an anti-inflammatory and could reduce seizures in some disorders. Since seizures can be fatal, it’s crucial that you don’t stop your pet’s prescribed treatment regimen when you use CBD oil.
Canna-Pet CBD oil has shown interesting results in studies, particularly when helping with cancer as an adjunct to chemotherapy. There are further trials scheduled to discover how well it performs in diabetes and organ diseases. If you decide to try it, begin with a low dose and work your way up to therapeutic levels to make sure your dog doesn’t experience side effects.