Utilization of CBD Oil for the Treatment of Small Animal Conditions

Dr. D. Miguel A. Sánchez-Valverde Professor of Veterinary Surgery. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Murcia. Campus Universitario de Espinardo 30100 Espinardo Murcia

CANNABINOIDS WHAT ARE THEY?

The cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa ), popularly known as marijuana or hemp, is a plant species that, apart from its recreational use in humans, has aroused great scientific and clinical interest due to its multiple therapeutic properties, not only for human medicine, but also for veterinary medicine. (Della Rocca, G., Di Salvo, A. 2020). More than 150 active substances, called cannabinoids, have been discovered in this plant, capable of causing effects on the body of higher animals (mammals). (Bonini, S.A., Premoli, M., Tambaro, S. et al. 2018). And what are cannabinoids, as they are those chemical substances capable of binding with the cannabinoid receptors of the body and the central nervous system through the endocannabinoid system. The two most abundant and well-known cannabinoids in Cannabis are TetraHydroCannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD). (Mechoulam, R., 2005) THC is the main psychoactive compound in the plant. Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica strains with THC levels above 0.2% are called marijuana, and are characterized by psychoactive effects (alteration of perception and modification of mood). Hemp is considered to be any strain of the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant that contains concentrations of less than 0.2% of TetraHydroCannabinol (THC), and in these cases the main active component is Cannabidiol (CBD), so these varieties of the plant are also called CBD, and not Marijuana. Another name by which plants with high CBD and low THC are known is Hemp (Fallahi, S., Bobak, L., Opalinski, S. 2022) In addition, in this type of variety the marked absence of psychotropic and psychoactive effects can be appreciated. (Unni, A. 2018).

THC vs. CBD

We have analyzed which are the main cannabinoids found in Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica plants, but let’s analyze each of them and compare their properties.

Characteristics of THC and CBD

What is THC?

The full name of THC is 9 Delta-Tetrahydrocannabinol and although CBD seems to be eclipsing its fame today, THC has been the great star of cannabis. It is this cannabinoid that is responsible for the psychoactive effect of marijuana, and it is the active ingredient for which cannabis has been considered a prohibited substance in most countries. (Bonini, S.A., Premoli, M., Tambaro, S. et al. 2018). But its effects go much further. THC has important narcotic properties, very effective in slowing down the pain of chronic patients, and is a great ally to whet appetite and stop nausea, which is why it is usually recommended to people who are being treated with chemotherapy.

What is CBD?

The full name of CBD is Cannabidiol. This cannabinoid is one of the most famous components of cannabis today. It is the active ingredient that has revolutionized the perception of cannabis worldwide, due to its therapeutic properties. Most importantly, this cannabinoid does not awaken psychoactive effects. In other words, it does not alter brain capacities. And it is also able to counteract the psychoactive effects of THC. (Bonini, S.A., Premoli, M., Tambaro, S. et al. 2018). It rose to fame for its proven anticonvulsant properties, and has been studied as an active ingredient capable of stopping the seizures produced by some refractory epilepsies. (Perry, M.S. 2019). But its capacity for medicinal action does not stop there, but it is currently known that it has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and tranquilizing actions that can be used in the treatment, especially of chronic conditions. (Bradley, S., Young, S., Bakke, A.M. et al. 2022).

Current legal status of cannabinoids

The legal status of both cannabinoids depends on the country where we are located. Until December 2020, the legislation of each country was based on the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 by which cannabis, and therefore its cannabinoids, belonged to Schedule IV of prohibited substances (at the same level of danger as heroin). (United Nations. 1961). But this changed in 2020, when the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs reclassified cannabis, following recommendations from the World Health Organization, and voted in favor of removing cannabis from that list, as long as its consumption was for medicinal purposes. (S&F Abogados 2021). This new perception fueled hope in the scientific community, which could investigate cannabinoids more freely. However, it does not imply changes at the legal level: the legality of cannabis or some of its cannabinoids will continue to depend on the legislation of each country. In Europe, the cultivation, sale, transport and consumption of cannabis with THC levels above 1% is prohibited in almost all cases. The same is not true of cannabis with THC levels below 0.5% and high levels of CBD, whose cultivation, sale and consumption is allowed in some countries such as Switzerland or Italy. In addition to countries, the law will change depending on the use given to cannabinoids (medicinal or recreational), and depending on the mode of consumption (flowers, tinctures, type of extracts). (S&F Abogados 2021).

CBD for use in Companion Animals

In the case of the human species, the way to receive cannabinoids can be chosen by the patient, between inhalation via the lungs, the intake of oils and other extracts or even tinctures and creams. In addition, and depending on the country, you can choose between receiving the cannabis plant with high doses of THC, or limiting yourself to treatment with CBD. Animals, like humans, have an endocannabinoid system with CB-1 receptors (responsible for brain processes) and CB-2 receptors (in the immune system and peripheral organs). These receptors are responsible for a wide variety of physiological processes such as inflammation, anxiety, stress, mobility, learning, nausea, vomiting, appetite, emotions, aging, allergies and dermatological problems. However, in the case of pets, we believe that the only truly valid products are CBD oils for pets, so that their mental state is not affected by THC. In addition, inhalation is not an appropriate way, and creams and lotions, given their large amount of hair, would not be effective either, therefore, we will currently limit ourselves to the use of CBD oils orally. ( Della Rocca, G., Di Salvo, A. 2020).

We have several types of CBD oil for dogs, CBD oil for cats and CBD oil for horses.

As animals also produce endocannabinoids, their receptors are thought to respond to CBD in a similar way to how humans do. However, there is still much research to be done on the effects of cannabidiol on animals. (Wakshlag, J., Schwark, W., Deabold, K. et alt. 2020). CBD is believed to help in the treatment of processes that occur with (Galán, V. 2021) (Luque, A. 2020):

Inflammation

Because CBD shares metabolic pathways with anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), there is increasing evidence that it helps in inflammatory processes, such as arthritis, and even in some patients it has been possible to completely replace anti-inflammatory drugs with CBD, a highly desirable fact in dogs that suffer from the side effects of NSAIDs used for long periods of time. (Yu, C.H.J., Vasantha Rupasinghe, H.P., 2021)

Pain

The benefit of CBD oil as an anti-inflammatory observed in dogs suffering from arthritis or osteoarthritis not only has an inflammatory benefit, but also acts indirectly by reducing pain (Gamble, L.J., Boesch, J.M., Frye, C.W. et al., 2018). In dogs with other types of inflammatory pain as well, such as back pain due to intervertebral disc conditions, neuropathic pain or other chronic pain. (Morrow, L., Belshaw, Z., 2022)

Seizures

Seizures are the most studied application of CBD in the human species and are beginning to be so in dogs ( García, G., Kube, S., Carrera-Justiz, S. et al. 2022). Research has shown that CBD is able to decrease the intensity and frequency of seizures in dogs diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy (McGrath, S., Bartner, L.R., Rao, S. et al. 2019). In addition, the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) is sponsoring a study, through Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, that will evaluate the use of CBD in treatment-resistant epileptic dogs (McGrath, S. 2017). Full results are expected shortly.

Neurodegenerative diseases

Some veterinarians who have tested it on their patients have been able to observe a marked improvement in symptoms in older dogs with cognitive dysfunction syndrome. Disorientation, alterations in the sleep cycle, decreased activity or increased anxiety or restlessness and alterations in the appetite is the most typical symptoms in this pathology. (Lima, T.M., Santiago, N.R., Alves E.C.R., et alt. 2022).

Cancer

In people, CBD has been studied for possible use in cancer patients, both to treat the tumor or tumors directly and to treat secondary symptoms of cancer and chemotherapy. Very limited research has been done on the use of CBD for dogs with cancer. However, the anti-nausea effects of CBD seen in people receiving chemotherapy have also been documented in rats and ferrets (Parker, L.A., Rock, E.M., Limebeer, C. L. 2011), suggesting that dogs receiving chemotherapy may benefit from CBD treatment in these cases. (Brioschi, F.A., Di Cesare, F., Gioeni, D., et al. 2020).

Anxiety

Some articles claim that CBD for dogs is also effective in decreasing anxiety, others, however, see it as dubious due to the fact that as CBD is non-psychoactive, it is unlikely to have the ability to directly treat canine anxiety in the way that other anti-anxiety medications do. The use of CBD for dogs in regards to anxiety, requires a lot more research. (Yu, C.H.J., Vasantha Rupasinghe, H.P. 2021).

Dosing CBD in Small Animals

As the full benefits of hemp oil in the treatment of veterinary diseases are not yet known, there are some questions about the recommended dosages and whether they can be used in the long term. (Wang, T., Zakharov, A., Gomez, B., et alt. 2022). Veterinarians, in general, who prescribe CBD treatments for dogs use observation as a method of control and dosage. In other words, we continuously adjust the dose until a satisfactory result is reached. (Galán, V. 2021). Studies on the use of CBD for dogs with arthritis or seizures have generally used a dosage between 2-8 mg/kg, twice a day. (Luque, A. 2020). This would mean a daily dose of between 4 and 16 mg/kg. This dosage has been found to be safe and effective only for the conditions studied (arthritis and seizures). But additional research is still needed to evaluate the doses needed for CBD in the treatment of other conditions. (Luque, A. 2020).

On the other hand, we find dosages ranging from 1-2 mg/kg per day administered in two doses (every 12 hours). (Green, Dr. 2022). Lower than those described in the previous paragraph. However, American veterinarian Robert Silver, a licensed veterinarian from Colorado State University and an expert in CBD therapies for dogs and medical cannabis, has conducted a great deal of research on the effects of medical cannabis and CBD on animals and recommends doses of between 0.2 and 1 mg of CBD per kg of body weight per day, divided into two doses (every 12 hours). The maximum dose for a dog weighing 10 kg would be 10 mg of CBD per day. (Silver, R. 2016). He recommends starting with a dose of 0.1 mg/kg every 12 hours (twice a day), keeping this dose lower for a week and observing the effects. Many times, this low dose will work well. If you do not see an effect, it recommends going up to 0.25 mg/kg twice a day or going up as needed. (Silver, R. 2016) (Luque, A. 2020). These doses, recommended by Silver, R in 2016 seem to cause underdosing, perhaps because part of his studies were carried out with a higher proportion of THC than is currently used, and without reaching the maximum recommended doses of up to 8 mg/kg, we found that most producers of CBD oils for small animals recommend daily doses of between 0.5 and 2 mg/kg per day in cats and 1.5 mg/kg to 4.5 mg/kg in dogs divided into two times (every 12 hours). (Ayuso, J., Ayuso, E. 2022) (Gorilla Grillz 2022).

We can give an example of dosage for both species, so that the amount of mg in the form of drops is explained, since the oils come in droppers, and it is easier for owners to dose it in this way, and the veterinarian can explain it to them in the form of daily drops, or drops every 12 hours. Taking as a reference the presentations of the Gorilla Grillz brand, currently a leading brand, for its quality and with more than 300 distribution points in our country, we observe that for cats the presentations are at 3% CBD and in the case of dogs there are two presentations at 3% CBD for small dogs and 6% CBD. Most useful for large dogs.

Example 1: Cat weighing 6 kilograms. We use 3% CBD oil. Each ml of product contains 30 mg of CBD. And calculating at 20 drops per ml, each drop contains 1.5 mg. Minimum dose 0.5 mg/kg = 3mg/day. 1.5 mg /12 hours. 1 drop /12 hours. Maximum dose 2mg/kg = 12mg/day. 6mg /12 hours. 4 drops / 12 hours.

Example 2: Dog weighing 12 kilograms. We use 3% CBD oil. Each ml of product contains 30 mg of CBD. And calculating at 20 drops per ml, each drop contains 1.5 mg. Minimum dose 1.5 mg/kg = 18 mg/day. 9 mg / 12 hours. 6 drops / 12 hours. Maximum dose 4.5 mg/kg = 54 mg/day. 27 mg/12 hours. 18 drops / 12 hours

Example 3: Dog weighing 12 kilograms. We use 6% CBD oil. Each ml of product contains 60 mg of CBD. And calculating at 20 drops per ml, each drop contains 3 mg. Minimum dose 1.5 mg/kg = 18 mg/day. 9 mg / 12 hours. 3 drops / 12 hours Maximum dose 4.5 mg/kg = 54 mg/day. 27 mg / 12 hours. 9 drops / 12 hours

Recommendations when administering CBD

Although it is a natural product, CBD oil should be considered, due to its actions, as a medicine, and as such it would be advisable to ask our veterinarian for their opinion before using it on pets.

We can, in general, apply the following rules, to improve their effectiveness and the safety of our pets (Luque, A. 2020):

• It should be borne in mind that if your dog is being medically treated for another pathology, the safe concentration of cannabidiol and the drug in question can be altered by undesirable interaction between them. That’s why it’s important to inform your veterinarian before making the decision to use CBD.
• As every dog may respond differently, it’s important to start with the lowest dose, monitor your dog’s results, and adapt to it. Most products will offer dosage suggestions.
• CBD oil for dogs and cats is administered orally.
• The most common format in which we can find CBD oil for dogs and cats is a bottle with a dropper dispenser.
• Avoid putting the dropper directly inside your dog’s mouth to avoid contamination. If it is done carelessly, clean it well afterwards.
• You can use a teaspoon or syringe to give it to them, passing the drops directly into this system.
• If possible, try to administer it without food, for greater absorption.
• For proper preservation, store the refrigerated product in the refrigerator and avoid direct exposure to sunlight. And once opened, use in the time indicated by the manufacturer.
• As you should start with a low dose, it is advisable to take a CBD product with a low percentage (e.g. 3% oil).
• It is generally believed that young animals need less CBD than older animals.

Possibility of side effects

There is no scientific data on the side effects of CBD use in dogs (Wang, T., Zakharov, A., Gomez, B., et al. 2022), but there are potential side effects based on how CBD affects humans (Bonini, S.A., Premoli, M., Tambaro, S. et alt. 2018). To minimize possible side effects, it is important to make sure of the right dose for our dog individually. (Luque, A. 2020).

What could be the side effects that we would observe in our pets, in case of problems

• Decreased salivation and dry oral mucosa. This can manifest as increased thirst.
• Low blood pressure. High doses of CBD are known to cause a temporary drop in blood pressure. Even if the fall is small, it can create a brief feeling of dizziness in our pets.
• Sleepiness. Mild drowsiness may occur when higher doses are used.
• Elevation of alkaline phosphatase in blood tests. Numerous scientific studies have found that when administered at recommended and safe doses, CBD causes an elevation in the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) blood test, although it is not yet known for sure whether the elevation of this value has any medical repercussions.

Other effects considered negative that we could observe would be excessive panting, lethargy, vomiting, mild urinary incontinence or loss of balance. If your pet is exhibiting any of these symptoms, it is possible that an overdose is occurring.

Because any medication or supplement we give our pet carries the risk of a reaction, it is always advisable, when it is first administered, to start with small amounts and then closely monitor the effects. And we always recommend being in contact with the pet’s family veterinarian, to solve any incident. (Luque, A. 2020).

CONDITIONS THAT CAN BE TREATED WITH CBD OIL

Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

Orthopaedic conditions in general and of the joints, in the daily clinic, account for approximately 45% of the work carried out by specialists in Traumatology and Veterinary Orthopaedics, since the other 55% is occupied by fractures of the long bones of the limbs. (Sánchez-Valverde, M.A., Navarro Alberola, A., Murciano Pérez, J. 2015)

Orthopedic diseases are a major cause of pain and discomfort in dogs and cats of all ages, sizes, and breeds. The prevalence of a specific orthopaedic pathology can vary significantly depending on the joint assessed. Thus, for example, the prevalence of canine osteoarthritis (OA) ranges from 14.3% if the hip joint is evaluated to 86% in the case of the shoulder. (Sánchez-Valverde, M.A., Navarro Alberola, A., Murciano Pérez, J. 2015)

The term arthritis refers to inflammation of the synovial membrane inside the joints. As a result, dermages occur due to the increase in synovial fluid production and only if arthritis persists can it damage the cartilage, subchondral bone, ligaments and tendons surrounding the inflamed joint, thus becoming a degenerative condition. (Sánchez-Valverde, M.A., Zilberchstein, J., Carrillo Sánchez, J.D. 2022).

Osteoarthritis is a chronic and degenerative disease, with a progressive course, which occurs when the articular cartilage wears away. Currently, it is known that, in addition to cartilage, osteoarthritis affects the entire joint: the subchondral bone, ligaments, joint capsule, the muscles surrounding the joint or the menisci. (Sánchez-Valverde, M.A., Zilberchstein, J., Carrillo Sánchez, J.D. 2022).

For the treatment of arthritis, there are very precise pharmacological mechanisms, so that we can combat it with steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Corticosteroids) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), since these inflammations, diagnosed in time, evolve favorably.

The problem arises in the treatment of osteoarthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease (DED), since it has produced alterations of the joint elements, which are not correctable either by medication or by surgical interventions.

Once osteoarthritis has been diagnosed, either of a particular joint, due to trauma or infection, or of the joints of the body in general due to the age of our patient, treatments will need to be prolonged in the long term, and very often throughout the life of the patient in question. In these cases, both the use of corticosteroids and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs usually lead to the appearance of harmful side effects, which in many cases force treatment to be stopped. (Sánchez-Valverde, M.A. 2014)

It is here, in those cases of osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease, where CBD oils can make a difference, due to their anti-inflammatory and analgesic capacity, without presenting, in the long term, harmful side effects that force treatment to cease. (Vaughn, D., Paulionis, L., Kulpa, J. 2021) (Bradley, S., Young, S., Bakke, A.M. et al. 2022).

However, we know that the painful and inflammatory processes of osteoarthritis manifest themselves more in the periods of greater humidity and greater cold throughout the year, that is, during autumn, winter and spring, with the summer being much more benign for this disease.

For the above reasons, personally my recommendation for the use of CBD oil in pets affected by osteoarthritis is that it be used during the months of October to May, maintaining three weeks of treatment and one week of rest, and maintaining a seasonal rest in the months of June, July, August and September, in which the high temperatures and the dry environment allow better mobility of our patients.

As for the dose to be used, I recommend starting with the dose of 1.5 mg/kg divided into two daily doses, that is, one dose every 12 hours. It is important that the first intake is done early in the morning, since, after periods of inactivity (night’s rest) the osteoarthritis joints suffer more. After the application of this dose for at least 2 weeks, we must

to evaluate the action that CBD oil has had on the behavior of pets (mobility and absence or reduction of pain) and if necessary to increase the dose. And in this way progressively, until the effective dose is found in each specific patient. But, of course, never exceed the threshold of 4.5 mg/kg, if there is no specific recommendation from the patient’s family veterinarian.

Seizure Control

One of the first applications in which CBD oil was used in human medicine, as a treatment, was epilepsy, both in adult individuals and children. And in fact it has been used since 2014, when the first experiences were published. (Szaflarski, J.P., Bebin, E.M., Comi, A.M. et al. 2018) .

In the first studies carried out, it was seen that in the groups treated with CBD oil, the frequency of seizures decreased, as well as the range of severity of the seizures that occurred in these patients. (Perry, M.S. 2019). The only alterations that were verified by analyses were an increase in alkaline phosphatase and hepatic anminotransferase, but in no case could they be considered dangerous, resulting in CBD oil being considered safe and well tolerated. (Szaflarski, J.P., Bebin, E.M., Comi, A.M. et al. 2018).

Analysing these studies, CBD oil has begun to be applied to dogs with epileptiform-type seizures as an accompaniment to conventional antiepileptic medications. (Morrow, L., Belshaw, Z. 2022). The results are good in most cases, with a reduction in the frequency of attacks and less severity of them. (McGrath, S., Bartner, L.R., Rao, S. et al. 2019).

The dose used by McGrath et al. was 2.5 mg/kg twice daily, resulting in a daily utilization of 5 mg/kg. As in the previous case, I consider that it is better to start with a slightly lower dose, of 2.5 mg/kg as a daily total, and divided into two times. Subsequently, evaluate the result, with a minimum of 12 weeks of treatment, and once the results have been seen, we can increase the dose progressively, always evaluating every 12 weeks, and reaching a maximum of 4.5 mg/kg daily.

Once the effective dose is achieved, after the 12-week periods of treatment, my recommendation is to stop the administration of CBD oil for two weeks, in order to avoid the need, in the long term, to have to increase the doses.

Spinal Cord and Spinal Cord Conditions

Spinal cord conditions are very varied, regardless of the cause, (concussion, compression, contusion and spinal cord section), and the severity of the neurological deficit can help us determine the degree of spinal cord injury. Knowledge of the degree of spinal cord injury is essential when issuing a prognosis about possible functional recovery and when recommending or not recommending certain types of treatments. (Sánchez-Valverde, M.A., Murciano, J., Navarro, A., Paredes, J. 2016).

The ultimate goal of any diagnosis is to determine exactly the cause of the pathology observed, and it is no less so in the case of conditions of the spine and spinal cord, we need to know if it has been a trauma, an infectious disease or a degenerative disease, since the prognosis and possible treatment will depend absolutely on an accurate diagnosis. (Sánchez-Valverde, M.A., Murciano, J., Navarro, A., Paredes, J. 2016). In the topic at hand, CBD oil will be indicated in chronic degenerations of the spine, and in cases of the beginning of herniated discs that can be treated with conservative treatment.

The degeneration of the intervertebral spaces causes generalized osteoarthritis of the spine, which is what we know as spondyloarthrosis. In other words, in short, a type of osteoarthritis that occurs in the vertebrae due to age and often to the way of life to which our pets have been subjected. Sporting, hunting, and open-space guard dogs, which move around a lot, may be more susceptible to this condition. Like osteoarthritis, I recommend following the same protocols that we have explained for osteoarthritis in general. Start with the dose of 1.5 mg/kg divided into two daily doses, i.e. one dose every 12 hours. After applying this dose for at least 2 weeks, we must evaluate the action that CBD oil has had on the behavior of pets (mobility and absence or reduction of pain) and if necessary increase the dose. And in this way progressively, until the effective dose is found in each specific patient. But, of course, never exceed the threshold of 4.5 mg/kg, if there is no specific recommendation from the patient’s family veterinarian.

In the case of incipient herniated discs (what we call slight protrusions, as opposed to established disc herniation or extrusion), it is one of the few occasions in which we can recommend a conservative and non-surgical treatment, and on these occasions I do recommend the use of CBD oil as an adjuvant, in this case always in low doses of 1.5 mg/kg. Increasing these doses can be dangerous, because if you hide the progression of the herniated disc from us, it could complicate the patient’s complete recovery. In these cases, periodic review of the patient by a specialist is necessary.

Anxiety and Stress

Some articles claim that CBD for dogs is also effective in decreasing anxiety, others, however, see it as dubious due to the fact that as CBD is non-psychoactive, it is unlikely to have the ability to directly treat canine anxiety in the way that other anti-anxiety medications do. (Luque, A. 2020)

However, cannabidiol interacts with the endocannabinoid system, a biological system present in humans, dogs, and cats, among other animals. This system regulates some bodily functions and therefore, CBD can cause broad and deep effects. Scientific studies have been carried out on animal subjects, which have shown that cannabidiol works as an anxiolytic, that is, it contributes to reducing the signs of anxiety. (García, R. 2019).

We have been talking about canine patients so far, but in this section we do have to focus on both the canine and feline species. We are going to give some examples where these two species can suffer from stress and anxiety, and surely all of us in our professional lives and as pet owners will recognize some of the situations.

In the case of the canine species:

• Individuals taken in from a shelter after being abandoned.

• Patients who have never lived in the city and who change to an urban environment.

• Change of owners for various reasons.

• Birth of a child of the couple who owns it and feel despised.

• Fireworks festivities

In the case of the feline species:

• A patient who stays at home for two or three days in the care of a caregiver.

• Change of owners for various reasons.

• Entry into the house of another cat picked up by its owners.

Dosing in these cases, as we have already explained above, is best started at the lowest levels (0.5 mg/kg daily in two applications, in the case of cats, and 1.5 mg/kg daily in two applications, in the case of dogs).

We can analyze the results, in each of the situations, and progressively increase the doses if they have not been effective, reaching the maximums that we have already mentioned of 1.5 mg/kg per day in the case of cats and 4.5 mg/kg per day in the case of dogs. It is not necessary to maintain the doses permanently, but they will be applied only and exclusively in the period in which stress or anxiety may occur.

Management of Cancerous Processes

In people, CBD has been studied for possible use in cancer patients, both to treat the tumor or tumors directly and to treat the secondary symptoms of cancer and chemotherapy, especially vomiting. (Abrahamov A, Abrahamov A, Mechoulam R. 1995).

Very limited research has been done on the use of CBD for dogs with cancer. However, the anti-nausea effects of CBD seen in people receiving chemotherapy have also been documented in rats (Parker, L.A., Rock, E.M., Limebeer, C.L. 2011), ferrets (Van Sickle, M.D., Oland, L.D., HO, W., et alt. 2001), and shrews (Cluny, N.L., Naylor, R.J,. Whittle, B.A., Javid, F.A. 2008), suggesting that dogs undergoing chemotherapy may benefit from CBD treatment in these cases. (Luque, A. 2020). It is true that the complications and side effects of chemotherapy described in the canine and feline species are much milder than those described in human medicine.

In most animals, the side effects of chemotherapy, if they occur, are characterized by mild and transient. Less than 5% of patients experience serious or life-threatening side effects, according to data from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Complutense University. (Pinedo, C. 2013). The side effects of common chemotherapy treatments in people (hair loss or vomiting) cannot be extrapolated to dogs. Veterinarians apply less aggressive treatments that have fewer side effects, although in some cases some answers may be presented, which are cited below (Pinedo, C. 2013):

• Digestive disorders: lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

• Changes in character, which make him more isolated and detached from his owner.

• Lowering of defenses, which increases the risk of the patient contracting infections. Therefore, the veterinarian carries out frequent blood tests to monitor the state of the immune system.

• Hair loss in animals undergoing chemotherapy treatment is rare, unlike in people. However, it may be the case that the hair, after the hairdresser, takes longer to grow than usual or has a different color from the rest of the hair.

As the action of CBD oil on the CB-1 and CB-2 cannabinoid receptors is a milder symptomatology, it seems to be effective enough to minimize this symptomatology and offer pets a higher quality of life.

As on all occasions, we will dose starting with the minimum dose and observing the effect it produces (0.5 mg/kg for cats and 1.5 mg/kg for dogs). In view of the results, we can progressively increase the dose until we find the effective dose.

Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

On the one hand we have the word “Physiotherapy” under which we will perform the physical examination and evaluation of the patient with functional limitations, in order to determine a diagnosis, prognosis and treatment (American Physical Therapy Association, APTA), and on the other, the word “Rehabilitation”, which would include the part of physiotherapy aimed at the recovery of diminished or lost functions through non-invasive physical techniques. (Zilberchstein, J., Sánchez-Valverde, M.A. 2014).

Physiotherapy gives a new perspective to Veterinary Medicine and expands the therapeutic options aimed at offering a quality service for our patients. In addition, it can be included within Preventive Medicine, a new concept that we include in Veterinary Medicine, in this case, with the aim of preventing injuries or the unfavorable evolution of musculoskeletal and neurological pathologies.

Although physiotherapy seemed to be intended only for competition animals such as horses and racing dogs or those assigned to work, nowadays and fortunately for dogs, cats and other pets, various specific care techniques have been developed in a rigorous professional context. Rest times are mandatory for fracture resolutions, although this inevitably leads to greater muscle atrophy due to disuse of the part involved and a longer recovery time. Rehabilitation plans can begin after surgery depending on each case, allowing a rapid development of muscle masses and an increase in the mobility of joints that had previously been immobilized. (Zilberchstein, J., Sánchez-Valverde, M.A. 2014).

On the other hand, we find ourselves with the condition that any rehabilitation process is usually painful, and that it also tends to cause a certain inflammation of the treated areas. It is necessary to mobilize the joints that have been in pause mode and this generates stress and pain in the patient. And this is where treatment with CBD oil can play a great role, as it is slightly anti-inflammatory, analgesic and avoids, as we have seen, anxiety.

In these cases, my recommendation is to use the lower doses in both cats (0.5 mg/kg per day in 2 daily doses) and in dogs (1.5 mg/kg per day in 2 daily doses). The treatment will be maintained throughout the period of time that the rehabilitation process lasts. In our experience, it is not necessary to recalculate the doses, as these minimum doses have offered a good result.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there is still a long way to go, it is expected that both CBD for dogs and cats, as well as other alternative medicines, will play a fundamental role in increasing the quality of life of pets in the near future.

The use of CBD for dogs and cats in regards to anxiety requires a lot more research.

In all aspects in which we use CBD oil, we must take into account the beginning of the treatment with minimum doses and progressively recalculate until we find the effective dose in our patient.

THANKS

This review work has been sponsored by “Gorilla GrillzTM” and specifically by its “CBD Pets” product line of CBD oils for animals.

My thanks to Javier Ayuso López and Enrique Ayuso López for their contributions to the generation of this work, through their personal communications.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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DIGITAL REFERENCES

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García, R. 2019. CBD for dogs: find out how to calm your pet’s anxiety and stress. https://www.actualidadmascotas.com/cbd-para-perros-descubre-como-calmarla-ansiedad-y-el-estres-de-tu-mascota/

Gorilla Grillz. 2022. Aceites CBD pets. https://www.gorillagrillz.com/aceite-cbd-mascotas/

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Silver, R. 2016. How to dose cannabis for your pets for better effect and less side-effects. http://nurseyourpet.com/how-to-dose-cannabis-for-your-pets-for-better-effect-andless-side-effects/

S&F Abogados. 2021. What is the difference between CBD and THC?. https:// soferabogados.com/diferencias-entre-thc-y-cbd/

Unni, A. 2018. THC vs. CBD: Which Should You Use?. https://hemppedia.org/es/thc-vs-cbdcual-deberias-usar/

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