CBD as an integral part of the treatment of numerous orthopedic diseases in dogs
Wrote: Rujana Jeger | Taken from Pasji život™
Industrial hemp oil as an integral part of the treatment of numerous orthopedic diseases in dogs
I have to admit that I was most intrigued when I read for which conditions people use CBD oil on their pets. Every time I would wave my hand and think that it was not possible that a single plant could have a beneficial effect on such a wide range...
As I already said in the introduction to the conversation with Igor Benčić, Dr. Vet. Med., it caused disbelief and even reluctance in me.
I usually feel such an aversion to everything that suddenly becomes "fashionable", especially if it is applied to another, the one for whose well-being we are responsible and who has no choice, i.e. children or pets.
Therefore, for quite a long time, I avoided dealing with this topic seriously, until a few months ago, when I joined a web seminar on the subject of using industrial hemp oil on dogs. It was part of a series of lectures that I paid for one sleepless night, it's better that my hubby doesn't know how much. But at least I learned something.
In short, we all (mammals, birds, and reptiles) have the so-called endocannabinoid system. It is one of the central systems in the body that should affect the homeostasis (balance) of the organism. Still, sometimes the problem is that some people and animals can have a deficient endocannabinoid system. In other words, sometimes, our endocannabinoid system does not produce enough cannabinoids.
Sometimes this deficiency occurs as a result of long-term stress, whether physical or psychological, which - as is already quite well-known and proven - can cause various autoimmune ailments and diseases. But if phytocannabinoids (in other words, plant cannabinoids) are introduced into such an organism, it should "fill" that deficiency, and the organism should eventually regain its natural balance, i.e. homeostasis.
From this, in short, it follows that the plant is not medicinal in the usual way, such as some other plants from which we obtain medicines, such as the bark and leaves of birch (this is how acetylsalicylic acid, i.e., Aspirin, if you didn't know), is obtained, but it turns out that it in things help the body to solve the problem by itself. Namely, many studies have shown that it helps with specific diseases and conditions, but the mechanism itself has not yet been precisely "hacked").
When buying CBD products, you should remember that, given that the market is unregulated, i.e., self-regulated, not all products contain the same amount of medicinal ingredients, i.e., sometimes even the oil by the same manufacturer varies from batch to batch. Therefore, you should carefully choose who you can trust.
It is also essential if the oil is made from a flower or a stem, but it is also important to know if it contains THC and terpenes - namely, terpenes (essential oils) do not bother dogs but have a nasty effect on cats, just like THC. Also, THC can cause incontinence in animals, which is inconvenient if you sleep with them in bed.
A particular problem with all botanical products is that you cannot tell where they come from or whether they have been treated with pesticides (for example, many pesticides allowed in the US and Asian countries are banned for use in the EU).
Therefore, on the recommendation of a few friends and after talking with Dr. Benčić, I decided to try VetHealth oil, not only because it is made in Croatia, but primarily because they are made in cooperation with the veterinary profession (and because VetHealth people are helpful with all the client questions, especially about the dosage, which is essential, because I don't believe in general instructions for use that apply to all dogs and all diseases equally).
Of course, I tried it on myself first – I always wanted to be a dog!
The result?
I must admit that my menopausal insomnia has disappeared; that is, when I take the oil, I sleep through the night without waking up at 4 am and having crazy thoughts that keep me awake until the morning. I don't want to take sleeping pills or Melatonin spray and tablets anymore because they make me feel like I've been beaten up in the morning, and the oil doesn't do that. First, it doesn't make me sleepy, so I don't have to go to sleep right after application (it is most useful when rubbed into gums), and secondly, I'm ok in the morning as much as I can.
But when I forget to take it, I wake up in the middle of the night, as usual. But instead of zombifying myself, I take two drops of 16% (be careful; it depends on the weight, so don't apply the same amount to yourself; instead, ask before taking, as I'm the size of a Newfoundland ;)).
When I was convinced that they worked, I started giving them to Pixie, because of her allergy to mites, which manifests itself in frantic scratching, sometimes even drawing blood, but for now, I can't say much because a month ago, she received a Cytopoint anti-allergy injection, which has an average effect of about eight weeks. VetHealth oil must be given for a few months to start working fully. But rest assured, I'll keep you posted. Also, after the ovariohysterectomy and unilateral mastectomy, I rubbed the area around her wound. There was no bruising or swelling even though she had 20 "staples" on a long incision that looked like a zipper on her belly.
However, what saddens me is that Liza is no longer there and that I didn't know about VetHealth in time to give it to her for osteoarthritis. I used a different brand, but she was "stoned" from it, we couldn't wake her up for an evening walk, and the incontinence worsened.
Then, unfortunately, I did not know the difference between the so-called Full Spectrum and Broad Spectrum oils - the latter does not contain THC. It's too late for Liza, but since the summer, several people I know have mentioned that they use VetHealth on their dogs specifically for osteoarthritis.
Therefore, I decided to ask Prof. Ph.D. Kreszinger, an excellent veterinary orthopedic surgeon - to give me his opinion. His comment pleasantly surprised me ;).
Prof. Mario Kreszinger, PhD, with a patient
„Almost every day, my inevitable enemy, osteoarthritis, wishes me good morning. I wake up all stiff and bent over with dull pains and crunching in my neck, back, hips, and knees....
All this lasts until the warming up induced by forced exercise and accelerated movement to work! And just when I forget a little about the pain, I am greeted at the outpatient clinic daily by at least several patients, usually dogs, with the same, and sometimes much more severe, joint-related problems. They come with a limp, slow gait, limping, and listlessness. The basis of this condition is again osteoarthritis, a scourge that compromises movement and causes discomfort and pain.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, unstoppable, progressive, degenerative and inflammatory joint disease. It is also called degenerative joint disease (DJD) or osteoarthritis. It is a disease that can be triggered by several factors, including hereditary, traumatic, developmental, and metabolic, and affects all joint structures. The basis of the pathophysiological events is the gradual deterioration of joint cartilage and the formation of bone growths, or osteophytes, resulting in limited function or reduced mobility, accompanied by chronic pain and lameness. OA is a widespread disease that affects at least 26% of the dog population. (estimates from the USA based on data from 200 veterinary clinics say that OA affects between 20% of dogs older than one year and 80% of dogs older than eight years, op.ed.)
The traditional approach to treating OA in dogs and cats is using anti-inflammatory, analgesic drugs (NSPUL), often necessary in combination with other medications that suppress pain and inflammation. Namely, there are several potential problems related to the use of NSP drugs. They usually do not provide sufficient pain relief in osteoarthritis and can cause serious side effects and severe and harmful consequences for the stomach, intestines, and kidneys. Many patients, especially older dogs with kidney or gastrointestinal diseases, should not take them.
Therefore, the treatment of OA requires an individual approach, adapted to each patient, using different treatment modalities. The use of other drugs, ways of administering them, and various procedures that often include surgical techniques in addition to - and I emphasize this, physical therapy and body weight control, has proven to be the only proper, practical approach to controlling OA.
This comprehensive approach to treatment aimed at eliminating pain, improving joint function, i.e., movement, and slowing the inevitably progressing degenerative changes, is called a multimodal approach to treatment. Within the multimodal approach to the treatment of OA, cannabinoids are increasingly taking their place today. Among the numerous secondary compounds, the only effective one is Cannabidiol (CBD) in combination with Cannabigerol (CBG). These non-psychoactive substances occur naturally in the Cannabis Indica plant and bind to specific receptors in the body. By binding cannabidiol and cannabigerol to specialized receptors in the nervous system responsible for the transmission and perception of pain, but also in the cells of the immune system of the whole organism, including inside the joints, they directly affect the incidence of inflammation and pain.
This is the scientific basis for using CBD oil as a comprehensive, effective treatment for osteoarthritis and chronic pain in humans and animals, primarily dogs and cats. CBD/CBG oil is now accepted as an integral part of treating numerous orthopedic diseases in dogs and cats, accompanied by osteoarthritis, such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, cruciate ligament rupture, and patella luxation.
It should be known that many different CBD oils and other CBD-based products are on the market. Still, the quality and effectiveness of these products depend on the presence or concentration of the mentioned active substances.
Based on the mentioned facts, I decided to add VetHealth oil to my medicine cabinet and to recommend it to my patients as a weapon in the joint fight against the infamous enemy.“
Well, I'm not the only one who decided to test something on herself first and then give it to her pets or recommend it further?!
Read about some other conditions and diseases, as well as my and other people's experiences here.
In any case, I'm not "doubting Thomas" anymore!
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