Not only is it frightening to witness a seizure, if the person having the episode is someone close to you, having to watch can leave you wrecked emotionally. This is no different when it comes to our canine friends. Distraught, helpless, and hopeless are the only words that describe the feelings you go through. When it comes to our pets, this is exactly the opposite of how we are supposed to feel. Our dogs should feel nothing less than complete safety and comfort when they are with us. They know that regardless of what is going on, we are there to take care of them.
Treatment for a seizure can be tricky due to how many things they can be caused by. In the last few years, there has been a new source of relief that has been making headway. In both humans and dogs, therapy has been found naturally with the use of CBD oil. There have been positive results with study and research for seizures that are caused by many different reasons.
What exactly is CBD oil?
CBD oil is a compound that is extracted from the hemp plant. Along with CBD, there are over 100 different cannabinoids that can be found in a cannabis plant. For the record, the cannabis family includes hemp. Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is just as popular among people as THC, another one of these many cannabinoids. If you are someone who does or has smoked marijuana in the past, the high you feel is created by THC, a psychoactive compound.
This is where many people get confused about cannabidiol. No, you will not get from using CBD, regardless of the method you use it or the amount you are using. This is because the brain doesn’t feel an effect from CBD. When it comes to medical use, CBD can be just as beneficial as marijuana. That being said, when it comes to a dog, THC is a big no-no. THC can be extremely toxic for dogs, so any product containing THC should never be used to relieve a dog from having seizures.
On the other hand, it is completely safe to give a dog CBD. To date, there has yet to be any documentation of a dog experiencing ill-effects from the use of a CBD product. There have been plenty of tests and studies to go along with this claim.
Is it legal to give a dog CBD?
Since 2018 when the Farm Bill was signed and passed, from coast to coast, in the United States, CBD’s been legal. Regulations had been eased before then but there were too many hassles with the interpretations due to wording.
The issues were addressed more directly in 2018 with the passing of the new bill. As a result, hemp products are now legal to both use and possess. The door was opened by the bill for CBD oil products to be sold throughout the United States. That being said, there are still plenty of places throughout the world where CBD is illegal, so it is best to check with local laws before packing CBD to travel on a trip outside of the country. As far as the United States is concerned, CBD oil products are legal for both human uses and as a treatment for dogs.
Seizures in Dogs
When it comes to your dog, a seizure in pets could look like anything from a serious twitch or shaking they are unable to control. These spells could be over in a matter of moments or they could last as long as several minutes. The reasons for a seizure can be different for any dog. There are many different causes. Some of them include but are not limited to:
- Injury to the head
- Underlying health conditions such as cancer or kidney and liver disease
- Vaccines
- Problems with electrolytes
- Pesticides and herbicides
- Topical flea and tick products
But, the culprit very well could be epilepsy if seizures are happening regularly with your dog. This means uncontrollable electricity comes in bursts in the dog’s brain. It’s common for there not to be a cure with epilepsy in a dog. That being said, using CBD oil can allow you to naturally manage the dog’s condition.
How does CBD help with dog seizures?
More and more uses for CBD are regularly being found by scientists and researchers for both dogs and humans. When it comes to pets, by far one of the most significant uses for CBD oil is managing seizures. There has been plenty of study and research completed demonstrating CBD oil is amazingly effective when it comes to managing the seizures a dog was (1). That being said, no one wants to give their pet something that they don’t fully know what it is and what is going to happen as a result. So, how exactly can CBD help a dog that has been having seizures?
Within the body of a dog, there are two different types when it comes to endocannabinoid receptors. CB1 receptors will be centralized in the brain and nervous system. CB2 receptors will be located primarily in the dog’s immune system.
According to the completed study and research, seizure control is improved by CBD in a dog that has a specific epilepsy syndrome. The effects of a seizure can be extreme on a dog’s endocannabinoid system. With a process that is known as external modulation, seizures can be reduced dramatically, often all together, through the use of CBD oil.
There is still a lot to be learned through research and study. We still don’t know exactly how CBD is able to contribute to the effects of the ECS and seizures being reduced. At this point, we have some theories that many scientists and researchers are agreeing on. One of these theories that are most popular is the receptors that calm a dog’s neurons during seizures are affected by the use of CBD. While this theory is very popular, there is still some research that needs to be done. What we do know is seizure activity for dogs is positively affected by CBD oil. More than likely, mild drowsiness is the worst effect the dog will experience with the use of CBD.
What kind of CBD dose do I give my dog?
Depending on the size and weight of your dog, the dosage amount of CBD you give your animal may be different than what someone else is giving their pet. Obviously, a dog that isn’t as big should never be given the same dosage a larger dog would receive. The label on the CBD product you purchase will have information regarding a recommended dosage per the weight of your dog.
The first decision you will want to make is which method you will be using to give CBD to your dog? There are tablets and pills that can be either chewed or swallowed. Also, there are plenty of tinctures and oils that may be easier to use with your pet. Be sure to take into consideration both you as the one giving the CBD and your dog who will be receiving the product. By sure to use caution and care when shopping for a CBD product.
Take your time to ensure you are buying the best product that you can. Look for google reviews on the brand or company manufacturing the product. What are others saying about the results they are getting. Also, you want to be sure your animal is being given a premium CBD oil. Look for a product that has been tested by a third party independent of the manufacturer. These results won’t be hard to find. The brand or company making product will want to make sure you can easily find this information on the product’s packaging if they are confident in their product. If you are unable to find this information, that may be a red flag that you need to select a different brand name.
Questions to ask before buying CBD for your pet.
Before you rush off to a store or website to find the CBD product that will work best for your pet, be sure to spend some time talking to your animal’s veterinarian. This is especially true if your animal is being treated for any other issues or medical conditions. Don’t talk to just any vet, make sure you’re discussing this with the veterinarian that normally treats your dog. Make sure the two of you are on the same page concerning why you want to start giving your dog CBD and the results you are hoping to get.
Once the two of you have decided this could be beneficial, it’s time to do some research of your own. With CBD products, there is regularly new data and research that is available. It can almost be frustrating at the rate the new information comes out, but it is to your advantage to make sure you are current on the research that is available. You need to know as much as you can, which oil type will work best for your animal and what method of delivery should you be using that will work best with your animal? You will have the choice of drops, edibles, treats, and much more.