CBD has been touted for managing anxiety, seizures, cancer, and pain in dogs and cats. However, the FDA discourages its use in these species,4 as data is scarce on appropriate dosing, long-term effects on serum chemistry, and pharmacokinetics for single or long-term dosing.5,6
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An uncontrolled study recently published in Animals found that while CBD-rich, hemp-based nutraceuticals appear generally safe in a small group of dogs, adverse effects like slower absorption and rapid elimination were observed in cats.7 Further research is needed to fully understand the safety, metabolism, and overall utility of CBD in dogs and cats.
The objective of this trial was to determine the single-dose oral pharmacokinetics of CBD and to provide a preliminary assessment of safety and adverse effects during medium-term administration of a hemp-based product to healthy dogs and cats.
The glycerol/starch/fiber-based chew used for the dogs is a food bolus considered adequate for optimizing CBD serum concentrations over that previously reported using an oil base.8 However, the retention and half-life times appeared shortened at 1-2 hours.
Researchers concluded that hemp-based CBD appears safe in healthy dogs and cats. However, adverse effects were seen in both cats and dogs, including mild clinical signs, modest elevations in liver enzymes, and benign CBC fluctuations. However, the study was uncontrolled and it is unclear whether these effects are attributable to the delivery vehicles versus the CBD.
Within cannabis, THC is the main component that produces the psychoactive sensations, but CBD provides many of the other positive effects that the cannabis plant is known to provide, such as a host of medical benefits.
If your dog has ever been prescribed gabapentin, you may recognize it by common brand names NeurontinÂ, AcloniumÂ, EquipaxÂ, GantinÂ, GabaroneÂ, GraliseÂ, NeurostilÂ, or ProgresseÂ. Falling under the anticonvulsant class of drugs, gabapentin is a structural analog of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), according to the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). It is considered a calcium channel blocker and is often used to inhibit neurons stimulated by pain.
A primary use of gabapentin is in the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain, which we would recognize as the burning and tingling sensations that come from damaged nerves. In dogs, neuropathic pain can stem from issues like extruded discs and nerve injuries. When used together with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids like methadone and tramadol, gabapentin may boost their efficacy. This may allow for lowering NSAID and opioid doses. This is important, considering that long-term use of both NSAIDs and opioids is associated with severe side effects.
Dog owners should also keep in mind that gabapentin should not be taken concurrently with hydrocodone and morphine. According to TVP, these two narcotics will increase the effectiveness and side effects of gabapentin, while gabapentin may decrease the effectiveness of hydrocodone and morphine.
These side effects are usually moderate if they do occur, but you should alert your veterinarian if your dog displays any of these listed symptoms while taking Metronidazole. It is especially rare, but it is also possible that your dog may have a serious allergic reaction to Metronidazole, involving hives, rashes and rapid heartbeat. If your dog is appearing to have an allergic reaction to the drug, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Metronidazole is not recommended for dogs with kidney or liver diseases, seizure disorders, and pregnant pets. Pets that are taking Metronidazole for long periods of time may endure more serious side effects:
To answer bluntly, hopefully not! Joking aside, if your dog is dealing with a disease of infection listed above, whether it be IBS or a bacterial infection, Metronidazole has been found to be a largely safe and effective antibiotic for dogs. Although studies on dogs specifically may not be broadly available, the data is convincing enough for veterinarians to accept and apply this medication in their practice. If there were any indications that it could be harmful or ineffective, this would not be the landscape.
Cannabis sativa is the scientific name of the cannabis plant which has been used by human civilization for thousands and thousands of years. Different parts of the plant have been utilized for specific purposes whether it be for cloth, paper, food, medicine, etc. Both Hemp and Marijuana are different strains of the Cannabis sativa. Cannabis sativa is considered hemp when it contains less than 0.03% delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Marijuana are varieties that contain any percentage of THC greater than 0.03%. THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid and can be toxic in dogs. Cannabidiol (CBD) on the other hand does not have a psychoactive effect, can counteract THC psychoactive effects, and appears well-tolerated in dogs and cats.
Potential side effects: CBD products have so far appeared to be very safe for our canine and feline pets. However, in some safety studies, patients exhibited an increase in one liver value (ALP). No other liver value alterations were noted and none of these animals required intervention (treatment). It is recommended that pets who are on long-term CBD products should have their liver values monitored routinely. Other side effects noted in studies include mild diarrhea, ocular or nasal discharge, and redness of the ears, although some of these side effects may be from the carrier and not the CBD itself.
Being relatively new to the market, pet CBD oil can fall into that gray area of uncertainty as far as finding accurate information about it online. Is it, or is it not safe for pets? And what are the side effects, if any? We want you to be as informed as possible when making these important choices for your pets. For some pet parents, pet CBD has been a saving grace, while other pet parents are still uncertain and may even be a little worried about trying pet CBD with their own fur-babies.
We like to consider pet CBD oil a holistic product that research has shown to have a number of potential health and therapeutic benefits. One study suggests that 80% of the dogs studied demonstrated signs of improvement with their pain and mobility. Another study found that dogs who were taking CBD in addition to seizure medications had significantly less seizures than those who were given a placebo.
Anecdotal evidence, however, does exist: some pet owners report seeing side effects in their pets after administering CBD. The important thing to remember is that these side effects are actually quite rare.
Side effects for cats and dogs are rare and tend to be mild, such as in the case of sleepiness, upset tummies, and stool changes. In other, more rare, cases, your pet might experience dizziness or itchiness.
As we mentioned, unless your pet is already a high-risk for potential adverse reactions, the risk of trying CBD oil on your pet is relatively low. Even if your pet should experience side effects, they are likely to be low or mild.
The body of research that indicates the safety and effectiveness of these products for multiple conditions is growing every year. From human research we know that CBD has been shown to lessen neuropathic pain and has anti-nausea properties and is extremely safe. Dogs with arthritis appeared to benefit from CBD in a way that was like the effect observed with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Dogs showed increased activity and decreased pain. We also know that the toxic dose is very high meaning that these products are well tolerated with minimal side effects. Adverse events can occur, but these are generally not lethal and do not do harm to the patient. In dogs we can see lack of muscle coordination, but this is an individual sensitivity and is short lived if the product is stopped. Lethal events are more likely to occur if chocolate or artificially sweetened products or if significantly concentrated cannabinoid products are ingested.
At the moment, there has been no formal study conducted that conclusively says what the effects of CBD are on dogs. However, scientists have found out that the effects of CBD are mostly positive. The compounds in CBD interact with central and peripheral nervous systems, which then help maintain balance in the body and keep it in a healthy, optimal state.
For dogs, the effects of CBD are that of a holistic treatment for numerous ailments from anxiety to arthritis. A few studies on the side effects of CBD products on dogs are currently in the works, but in the meantime, pet owners are getting their information from testimonies from other pet owners online. A majority of pet owners report that as a holistic treatment, it's effective on their ailing pets.
It can help soothe anxious dogs, regulate a pet's mood, or even mitigate the pain of serious, terminal illnesses and its treatments, like cancer. Nothing is scientifically certified yet, but so far, pets seem to only have positive reactions to CBD based treatment. It may even be better as an alternative to traditional pharmaceutical medicines, which may have more pronounced side effects than CBD.
CBD and hemp oil products are not FDA-approved remedies for ills for both humans and dogs (yet), it's best to be informed of both the pros and cons of using CBD oil, including documented side effects your dog may experience.
Another prominent side effect of giving your dog CBD oil is vomiting. Since CBD oil is bitter, your dog may not enjoy the taste and reject it. While there are CBD products on the market that have flavoring to help ease the bitterness of cannabidiol, you will have to find the right one for your dog to keep them from rejecting it. The best way to know if the vomiting is caused by CBD oil is to observe your pet but consult your vet as soon as possible, because vomiting may cause your dog to be dehydrated or lead to other pains.
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