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A vet's perspective...

Vets working with agility dogs at Greenway Veterinary Acupuncture have noticed a growing interest amongst owners in CBD supplements. With the increasing popularity of CBD for both humans and pets, it's important to understand what CBD is, its effects and what the current research says about its use in dogs. In this article, they'll be sharing some key information to help you have an informed discussion with your vet about CBD for yur agiity partner. agility partner.

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in hemp plants. It's part of a family of compounds called cannabinoids. Interestingly, mammals, including dogs, naturally produce their own cannabinoids in their bodies. CBD supplements are designed to interact with the same systems that these natural cannabinoids do.

It's crucial to note that CBD is different from THC, another well-known cannabinoid. THC is the compound responsible for the 'high' associated with marijuana use. If a CBD product is to be included in a pet's treatment plan, your veterinary surgeon will prescribe one that contains zero or negligible amounts of THC.  The THC content can be checked on the CBD oil's Certificate of Analysis and generally should be less than 0.03%.

How does CBD work?
CBD interacts with receptors in the body that are part of the endocannabinoid system. This system plays a role in regulating various physiological processes. While explicit health claims can't be made for non-medical CBD, research has shown that the CBD molecule acts on receptors in the body to release or inhibit a multitude of different neurotransmitters. The main specific effects of this interaction are thought to be anti-inflammatory and in moderating pain perception.

Types of CBD products
It is important to note that there are NO CBD products licensed for use in dogs and other pets in the UK.  Some brands like to suggest that they supply CBD ‘for pets' but as this is not a permissible claim in the UK, you will find that either the link redirects to a non-UK site or to a hemp oil product.  The latter contains no CBD but may have some beneficial supplement compounds within it like omega oils and phytochemicals (eg plant terpenes).  The former should be avoided as the product will not be under UK jurisdiction and potentially illegal and dangerous if the THC content is too high or it claims that you can give the CBD product to your dog without a prescription.

When looking at CBD products, you may come across two main types:-

  1. CBD Isolates: These contain only CBD.

  2. Broad Spectrum CBD: These contain CBD along with other cannabinoids and compounds called terpenes, found naturally, in varying amounts, in hemp plants.

Some research suggests that broad spectrum products may have enhanced effects due to the interaction between these various compounds, sometimes referred to as the 'entourage effect.'

Legal considerations
For human use, CBD is classed as a ‘food supplement', but in the UK, it is classified as a 'veterinary medicine' when given to animals. This means that CBD, as with all other veterinary medicines, should only be given to pets under the direction of a registered veterinary surgeon with a prescription.

When asking your vet about CBD, it's useful to understand that as vets, we are all subject to strict prescribing regulations - one of these is that a prescription for a patient for a non-licensed medication such as CBD can only be provided if other medications licensed specifically for the species and the condition have been tried or considered first.  Only then can we prescribe CBD and it is concluded that in a trial of it might be beneficial to your pet in this particular circumstance.

Another legal consideration is that the amount of total THC in a bottle of CBD could also breach the legal limit.  In some brands available for sale to the public, it could be as high as 0.2% THC, despite being advertised as ‘low THC' and would strictly speaking not be legal to sell, depending on bottle size.

Research on CBD in dogs
No branded CBD product on general sale to the public in the UK can make therapeutic claims as there are none that have undergone veterinary clinical trials and been granted a licence as yet. Research has however been conducted into how CBD affects the physiology of dogs, observed side effects and clinical efficacy for conditions such as osteoarthritis (OA).

A study out of Cornell University and Colorado State University in 2018 concluded that twice daily dosing increased comfort and activity in dogs with OA in the trial and that there were no observable side-effects for the duration of the study, though this was only a few weeks long and the number of dogs in the study was small.

Another more recent study examined the effects of CBD when used alongside other medications. The researchers noted potential benefits when CBD was co-administered with other drugs, possibly allowing for lower dosages of those medications.

It's important to note that these studies had limitations, including small numbers of participants, short durations and limits on standardisation and comparison of a naturally variable plant extract. More research is needed to fully understand the full effects of CBD and other associated hemp plant compounds in dogs.

Safety considerations
While the studies mentioned above didn't report significant side effects, they did note some changes in liver enzyme levels in some dogs. This suggests that it may be prudent to monitor liver enzymes in dogs prescribed CBD long-term, similar to what we do for dogs on other medications. Again, the THC content should be carefully checked on the official laboratory test report (Certificate of Analysis) as some CBD oils available for sale to the public are as high as 0.2% THC, which could potentially be toxic to pets.

Choosing a CBD product
If you're considering speaking to your veterinary team about CBD for your agility dog, here are some checks that you and your vet will want to be aware of:

  1. Look for a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for each batch from an accredited lab.

  2. Be wary of products that make clinical claims or say they are ‘for pets'.  There are no CBD products specifically for pets legally available on general sale in the UK.

  3. Avoid products marketed directly for pets without mentioning the need for a veterinary prescription.

  4. Consider a broad spectrum product over CBD isolates as the additional phytochemicals from the plant have potential benefits.

  5. Make sure the CBD content is clearly stated, along with the batch number and expiry date.

  6. 'Hemp seed oil' generally has zero CBD content.

  7. Unless your vet advises otherwise, check the THC content is below 0.03%.

Conclusion
As with any supplement or medication, it's crucial to work closely with your vet when considering CBD for your agility dog. They can help you weigh the potential benefits and risks, ensure proper dosing and monitor your dog's health over time.

Remember, while CBD is gaining popularity, it's not a magic solution. As knowledgeable owners and trainers are fully aware, a holistic approach to an agility dog's mental and physical health through individually tailored nutrition, training regimes and routine veterinary care, remains the foundation of their well-being.

 About the authors...
Drs Alastair and Claire Greenway BVM&S, MRCVS, ABVA have run Greenway Veterinary, a dedicated acupuncture home-visit practice for London and and surrounding areas for over 20 years.

For more information, visit their website.

First published 10th September 2024

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