CBD Oil For Dogs: Is It A Safe Alternative For Valium And Phenobarbital In Treating Seizures?
Dogs can get seizures for a variety of reasons, the most common of which is epilepsy. The most common treatment for seizures in dogs is valium and phenobarbital, and both can have some serious side effects that should be considered before choosing such treatments. In their quest for pain relief and seizure relief, many pet owners are turning to CBD products.
CBD or cannabidiol is a naturally occurring substance in the brain and when it’s used, it combines with the naturally occurring cannabidiol in the brain and works to counteract pain and seizures, per scientific studies. Recently, the AKCCHF (American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation) has been conducting studies to see how CBD works in dogs to help reduce and eliminate seizures. To view more information, click here.
Some dog breeds are more genetically dispositioned to have seizures than others. These seizures may be due to brain abnormalities or head trauma or a combination thereof. Managing the seizures is the goal pet owners. Seizures, while in and of themselves may not be harmful depending on their severity, are terrifying to watch.
Per the above-mentioned study, pet owners shouldn’t just run out and purchase CBD and stop their current medications for their pets. Instead, they should discuss the pros and cons with their veterinarian and find out if they can gradually reduce the dosage of current medications, or if both need to continue as-is for a time.
Great care should be taken to ensure that the veterinarian is fully on board with the use of CBD oil products for pet care. Not all veterinarians believe in using CBD products and many will tell pet owners to avoid such products. It’s okay to get a second opinion, after all, a pet is part of the family for most people.
Signs and symptoms of a seizure in a pet may include restlessness, panting, pacing, and general unease. As the seizure approaches the pet may become irritable and agitated and even more restless. If this is the first seizure, you may be very confused as to what is going on until the actual seizure itself. If you have seen this before, it’s time to quickly contact your veterinarian and get their advice, especially if the CBD oil is only being used to treat the seizures as they occur. Typically, the CBD oil is administered daily just as a daily medication would be.
There are no known side effects of CBD oil for dogs. For this reason, many pet owners are turning to this alternative treatment to avoid the more serious side effects of valium and phenobarbital in their pets. Many veterinarians will work closely with pet owners to ensure that the proper dosage is given each and every day.
Other things to consider are the dosage of the CBD and the frequency of the dosage. Each pet’s dosage should be calculated according to the seriousness of the seizures and the weight of the particular dog or other animal. Not all dogs of the same breed are going to weigh in at the same weight, so care should always be taken to ensure that the smallest dosage possible is given, and then for maximum results the amount can be gradually increased as you observe the effects.
Many CBD companies are recognizing that a lot of people are sharing their CBD oils with pets. Thus, a huge boom has ensued in the pet care industry for CBD oil products. It’s important to note that CBD can be derived from both marijuana and hemp. According to Kate at Herb, “When CBD is derived from hemp seed oil, there is absolutely no risk of any THC products (THC is the psychoactive compound in Cannabidiol and cannabis).”
CBD oil, in pure form, is a highly concentrated oil and should be taken with great care. It’s important to fully understand the ratio of CBD to THC if such a variety is utilized. Pets should not have any THC if possible, as it can cause them to have a psychoactive reaction.
CBD oil can be a very safe alternative to valium and phenobarbital as long as the right type is given to your dog, cat or other kind of pet. Pet owners who are concerned should check their sources and may want to ensure that the CBD oil is derived from hemp seed oil and not from marijuana.