Osteoarthritis is a prevalent ailment in dogs, affecting up to 25% of all canines during their lifetimes. If your dog has lost some of their mobility in their steps, appears stiffer after regular activity, or is reluctant to do things they used to like, osteoarthritis could be the cause. Unfortunately, osteoarthritis, often known as arthritis, is a degenerative disease, therefore it is critical to have your dog evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as you see any signs of pain or mobility issues. Developing an early treatment strategy is crucial to minimising the damage this degenerative condition can cause to your dog’s joints as they age.
Some pet-owners are also trying cbd oil for dogs in India along with the medications given by their vet. This shift could also due to the fact that many of us have seen positive results with this compound and may think the same can be enjoyed by our pets as well.
Let’s take a closer look at the function CBD oil could play in a veterinarian-approved treatment plan for osteoarthritis, as well as the scientific studies that shows how much promise this natural supplement has for relieving pain and inflammation. Educating yourself about how CBD oil can benefit your dog with arthritis is a crucial first step, and it will serve as a starting point for a discussion with your veterinarian about safe treatment alternatives for your pup.
Let’s talk about the Traditional treatments for arthritis in dogs and why CBD is getting importance in the pet industry
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most widely recommended medications for dogs suffering from inflammation-related discomfort, such as osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, this class of medications can cause serious, even fatal, side effects.
Seriosuly, but how?
According to a 2015 study, NSAIDs cause more unfavourable side effects than any other veterinary medicine now administered. The likelihood of renal impairment and/or failure as a result of chronic NSAID use is especially concerning, according to this study.
A systematic analysis published in 2013 examined the findings of 35 papers and 29 clinical trials involving the use of NSAIDs in dogs. It discovered that up to 55% of trials revealed substantial negative side effects from this class of medications. It could be worse for dogs with OA; as the authors point out. Because it is recognised that NSAIDs are more likely to cause problems in older dogs, pet parents of senior dogs should take a step back and assess their options before committing to long-term NSAID therapy for their pets.
In fact, the FDA warns owners and veterinarians about the potential advantages and hazards of using an NSAID and other therapeutic options before opting to use an NSAID.
Given that veterinarians are well aware that long-term use of NSAIDs, particularly in older dogs or those with compromised liver or kidney function, can be harmful — potentially deadly — the hunt for a safe treatment for pain and inflammation has been a top goal in veterinary medicine.
Research on CBD Oil and Arthritis
CBD oil, commonly known as cannabidiol, has been extensively researched in humans and, more recently, in dogs. It is widely recognised to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. Given that osteoarthritis causes both pain and inflammation, it is not surprising that CBD has been a key focus of study as a alternative that doesn’t have the same side effects like NSAIDs.
And there is more. It turns out that the endocannabinoid system, which exists in both dogs and humans, may play an important role in the course of osteoarthritis.
Cannabinoid receptors have been found not only throughout healthy joint tissue, but also at unexpected concentration in degenerated chondrocytes (joint cells) in human osteoarthritis patients. Researchers hypothesise that these cells may respond to cannabinoids. In fact, a few recent research, like this one, have found that cannabidiol may help reduce joint deterioration and the advancement of osteoarthritis pain. This is excellent news for osteoarthritis patients, whether human or canine
What does the studies show?
In 2018, Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine conducted one of the most significant studies that parents of dogs with arthritis should be aware of. Researchers gave dogs with osteoarthritis 2 mg or 8 mg per kg of full-spectrum CBD oil twice daily by oral administration.
The dogs in the study were evaluated before the trial began, as well as after two and four weeks of therapy. The researchers discovered that the two mg-per-pound dose effectively reduced the dogs’ obvious indicators of joint pain while greatly increasing their activity and mobility.
Significantly, in the aforementioned trial, no side effects were detected at any dose when CBD oil was used to treat OA. There were also no signs of psychotropic effects, despite the fact that the researchers utilised full-spectrum CBD oil. This adds to previous research confirming the safety of adequately adjusted cannabis for dogs.
Is full-spectrum CBD oil safe for dogs with osteoarthritis?
Another issue that many dog parents have regarding hemp or CBD oil is the safety of full-spectrum CBD oil for their dog. Unlike broad-spectrum CBD oils, full-spectrum oils contain all of the trace components (known as cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes) found in the source hemp, including trace quantities of THC.
Many pet owners believe that because dogs are known to be sensitive to high doses of THC, a full-spectrum product may be harmful. But this is not the case. Hemp and hemp oil are legally required to contain extremely low levels of THC, well below the threshold recognised to be safe for dogs.Hempstrol is one such brand in India that manufactuers specific pet products in India from where you can buy cbd oil for dogs. It is totally safe for your dog as long as you use a full-spectrum CBD oil designed specifically for pets and adhere to dosing requirements.
Many pet parents report that a full-spectrum cbd oil for dogs in India is more successful at treating arthritis symptoms than CBD oils containing an isolated version of CBD. This is supported by research. Scientists call this phenomena the “entourage effect.” Dozens of studies on cannabis-based medicines have indicated that small amounts of THC and other cannabinoids found in full-spectrum CBD oils may boost their inherent pain- and inflammation-relieving capabilities.
At last, we would say,
If your dog suffers from arthritis, it may be time to speak with your veterinarian about adding a full-spectrum CBD oil for dogs to your pet’s daily supplements to help safely relieve the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.
While many firms tout their goods as the “best” dog CBD oil, not all CBD oil have undergone lab testing. Your veterinarian will advise you to look for goods that have been confirmed by third-party lab testing to guarantee that there are no dangerous components like pesticides, heavy metals, and infections in the composition.
CBD may assist you and your veterinarian in developing a treatment plan that reduces, or perhaps eliminates, the usage of potentially hazardous NSAIDs.
A final word of caution: Even though CBD is available without a prescription, you must ensure that the product you choose is specifically made for dogs. CBD products intended for human use may contain excessive levels of THC or other ingredients (such as artificial sweeteners) that are hazardous to dogs.
