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Osteoarthritis is a very common condition in dogs and affects about 25% of the dogs throughout their lives. If you find that your furry friend is not energetic, or experiences stiffness after activities osteoarthritis might be the cause. Osteoarthritis or simply arthritis is a progressive disease and your dog should be assessed by a veterinarian if it shows signs of pain or changes in mobility.
It is important to develop an early treatment plan to do whatever you can to slow down the damage that osteoarthritis can do to the joints of your dog. Here, we will take a close look at how CBD oil helps in the treatment plan of OA and the research that shows how CBD offers relief from inflammation and pain associated with OA.
Traditional Treatments For OA In Dogs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to treat inflammatory conditions like arthritis in dogs. However, this class of drugs can have serious side effects and can even prove fatal, at times. As per the results of a 2015 study, numerous adverse side effects are reported for the use of NSAIDs and the number of side effects from these drugs is higher than for any other drug that is now prescribed for veterinary use. Damage to the kidney and renal failure due to the use of NSAIDs is of particular concern among all the side effects.
A review of different studies conducted in 2013 looked at the results of 35 different studies and 29 clinical trials that investigated the effects of using NSAIDs in animals. The review revealed that as many as 55% of these studies reported serious side effects with these drugs. The authors of the review noted that the side effects can be worse for dogs with osteoarthritis. As NSAIDs are likely to cause problems in senior dogs, owners of older dogs should pause and consider the options they have before going for long-term NSAID treatment for their dogs.
Veterinarians already know that the long-term use of NSAIDs, especially in older dogs suffering from kidney or liver problems can be dangerous and even deadly. Therefore, an alternative treatment option for inflammation and pain has much significance in vet medicine. This is where CBD comes to play. Let us see how CBD oil for dogs is beneficial for arthritis treatment in senior dogs.
CBD Oil For Dogs With Arthritis
CBD oil has been extensively studied and recently it has been studied in dogs. It is found that CBD oil has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties and as OA leads to inflammation and pain, CBD proves to be a good treatment option without the negative side effects of NSAIDs. Moreover, the endocannabinoid system that is present in mammals has an important role in the progression of inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
The cannabinoid receptors are not only present throughout the joint tissues, but they are also found in chondrocytes that are degenerated in people suffering from osteoarthritis. Chondrocytes are joint cells and can respond to the treatment with CBD oil. Some of the studies have also proved that CBD plays a role in controlling and preventing the degeneration of joints and the progress of pain that is associated with osteoarthritis. This is good news for both humans and dogs suffering from osteoarthritis.
The studies and research on CBD oil for dogs with arthritis have been prevented by the legal status of cannabis and hemp. However, the recent changes in the laws regarding hemp have removed the barrier to these researches and many studies are being conducted to find the effects of CBD on dogs. A relevant study was conducted by the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University and in this study, the researchers administered full-spectrum CBD oil to dogs suffering from osteoarthritis. The oil was given orally at dosages of 2 mg or 8 mg per kilogram two times a day.
The dogs that took part in the study were assessed before the study and after 2 and 4 weeks into the study. The researchers found that the dosage of 2 mg helped reduce the visible signs of pain in dogs. Moreover, it helped improve the mobility and activity of these dogs significantly.
Related: What are the differences between CBD oil for dogs or CBD treats? Which is better? Click here to learn more.
Is CBD For Dogs Safe To Use For Dogs With Arthritis?
No side effects were found in the studies conducted to find the effectiveness of CBD for dogs suffering from arthritis. Besides, there were no psychoactive effects even though the full-spectrum CBD oil used in the research has small amounts of THC in it. So, we can safely assume that CBD oil for dogs is safe at proper dosages for the treatment of inflammatory conditions like arthritis. However, you will need to discuss your plan of using CBD oil to treat arthritis in your dogs with your veterinarian. Your furry friend should stay safe, that is what matters most!
