CBD Oil For Dogs With Seizures

When our pets are sick it seems no different than a one of our children. Many people have asked us if using CBD Oil for dogs with seizures is ok. For the record we are NOT doctors or veterinarians and can’t make any definitive claims. That said we have seen incredible results in this arena.

You might have heard of people getting excited about the potential that CBD and other cannabis-derived cannabinoids have for people who suffer from epilepsy and seizures. We are seeing more and more research which is showing the therapeutic benefit of CBD for people, but what if your dog suffers from seizures in a similar way to people? Could it be that CBD can help them too?

Seizures in Dogs

Seizures in dogs can be caused by a number of things, but they most commonly occur as a result of epilepsy. Epilepsy is one of the most common long term neurological disorders in dogs and can be very stressful and traumatic for both the dogs themselves and their owners, especially if they have frequent seizures.

Seizures can show themselves in dogs in a range of different ways, including:

• Blinking
• The rapid movement of the eyes
• Staring
• Hyperventilation
• Shaking and tremors
• Fits
• Loss of consciousness
• Dribbling or foaming at the mouth in excess
• Collapsing
• Loss of bladder or bowel control

Although they are temporary, seizures can last for extensive periods of time. Some breeds of dog can be more prone to epilepsy than others – for example, German Shepherds, Cocker Spaniels, and Beagles are particularly susceptible.

Just like in humans, seizures occur when uncontrolled bursts of electricity occur in the brain. These abnormal firings of the neurons can affect the body’s internal communication, and this can result in a seizure.

Can CBD help with seizures?

Most of the research which has been carried out into the link between CBD and seizures has been done on humans or lab animals like mice, and not dogs. However, the way that it is believed that CBD can be effective for people is due to its impact on the endocannabinoid system – a system which dogs also have.

The endocannabinoid system is a system in the body which is responsible for keeping it in the perfect condition to work properly. It can help to control a number of systems such as the immune and central nervous systems, as well as have an effect on the brain. Research shows that most mammals have an endocannabinoid system, and this includes dogs, so it, therefore, follows that if CBD can be useful to people, it could also be useful to our pets. According to research, CBD has anticonvulsant properties. Although we still don’t have enough conclusive evidence to suggest that it can help everyone who suffers from seizures, we are seeing more and more observational research at least, showing how CBD can be useful for some people with certain types of epilepsy.

CBD for Dogs

As with people, CBD products are safe for dogs to take and are usually made from industrial hemp, meaning that THC levels (the compound that gets you high) are negligible and it will therefore NOT get your dog high.

Its side effects are not long-lasting or damaging, it is non-addictive and the only effects of an overdose will be that it is less effective. This means that CBD – which is completely natural could be a good alternative to some medications which are given to dogs who suffer from seizures, such as Diazepam, Phenobarbital or Potassium Bromide.

Dogs will usually be more sensitive to CBD than humans, so the dose that you give to your dog should be lower than for a person, but dosing for dogs is usually done by the animal’s size.

The easiest way to give CBD to your furry friend is by giving them CBD oil in their food, or a CBD chew which is flavored to help them take it more easily.

As CBD is considered to be a food supplement, not a medicine, it means that you can give your dog CBD whenever they need it and it will come to no harm.

Just as we are seeing more and more potential for how CBD can help people; we are also seeing a world of possibilities opening up for our pets. The internal workings of our bodies are actually very similar, and this is why human doctors and vets alike are getting excited about the potential that CBD and other cannabinoids have for our future health.

DISCLAIMER: Again no article on the internet is a substitute for proper medical attention. When in doubt consult a professional.