CBD'S EFFECTIVENESS:
Studies show that CBD Oil effectively helps with chronic and acute health problems in animals.
Pets suffer from many health issues, from a simple cold to more serious chronic diseases such as heart disease. Veterinarians examine millions of sick pets every year. While some diseases and disorders are treated easily, many require constant treatment and care in order to ensure your pets’ stable health and wellbeing.
| WHAT IS CBD?
CBD or cannabidiol is just one of the 113 cannabinoids in cannabis plants. Unlike THC, it has no psychoactive properties. CBD is not a psychoactive substance, which means it does not cause the so-called feeling of being "high” in people or animals. What it does cause is many potentially therapeutic effects.
Cannabinoids are fat-soluble lipophilic molecules that attach to cannabinoid receptors in cells where they trigger various cell changes. CBD affects the endocannabinoid system of neurotransmitters in the central and peripheral nervous system, which helps to balance and keep the body in a normal functional balance.
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HOW CBD WORKS?
All mammals, pets included, have cannabinoid receptors: CB1 receptors are located in the brain and the central nervous system, whilst CB2 receptors are located in the peripheral organs, muscles, cardiovascular system and immune system cells. Our brains transmit signals through these receptors to many parts of the body. It is important to emphasise that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is only one of our bodies’ many regulatory systems, and studies show that this is very important.
The ECS controls everything: from relaxation to eating, sleeping, various types and causes of inflammation, and even cognitive function, and is responsible for our bodies’ working optimally and in balance, establishing and maintaining homeostasis. Cats and dogs naturally produce cannabinoid, anandamide, which is responsible for mental health, pain relief and increasing appetite; unfortunately, their organisms are sometimes unable to produce some of these substances, causing imbalance.
Endocannabinoids are replicated and stimulated via cannabinoids, and we can administer these to our pets in the form of industrial hemp products. Shortly after being ingested, CBD stimulates TRPV-1 receptors, thereby helping bodies regulate body temperature, and relieve chronic and acute pain and inflammation. 5-HT1A receptor stimulation is evidenced in significantly increased dopamine secretion levels, causing antidepressant and anxiolytic effect. CBD also blocks GPR55 signalisation, which is seen in the significant decrease in the number of new cancer cells.
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STUDIES
EPILEPSY AND SEIZURES
Since 2,700 BCE, the Chinese have used medical preparations made from Cannabis sativa to relieve menstrual problems, rheumatism, malaria and absent-mindedness. In medieval times, Islamic doctors used cannabis to treat nausea and vomiting, epilepsy, inflammation, pain and increased body temperature. Western medicine has used cannabis since approximately 1800 BCE; before aspirin, it was frequently used as a painkiller. Best results have been evidenced in relation to HIV-related sensory neuropathy, chronic pain, nausea and vomiting connected with chemotherapy, and multiple sclerosis patient seizure. There are many indications, but no well-controlled clinical study proof. (2.) CBD has a major role to play in eliminating and treating refractory epilepsy and other seizures; additionally, it has none of psychoactive side effects of THC.
This has led to an increased number of studies and increased use of CBD in treating epilepsy in treatment-resistant children vis à vis commercial medicine.
Positive effects in terms of improved sleep and general wellbeing have been proven.
CBD’s positive effect in relation to reducing seizures is evidenced by three large, high-quality, placebo-controlled studies using pure CBD for patients with Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut Syndromes. CBD use substantially improved seizure control in patients with epilepsy syndrome. (1.) CBD’s anti-epileptic mechanism is as yet unknown; it most likely affects the balanced transport of nucleosides. CBD also has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects.
CBD is well-tolerated and is safe in very high dosages; even dosages of more than 1500mg/day show no side effects in relation to the central nervous system, vital signs and behaviour; only potential immunosuppressive effect is described.
CANCER PATIENTS
Endocannabinoids are being increasingly used in the treatment of treat cancer patients. CBD regulates cell signal pathways involved in cell survival, invasion and development, and vein enlargement. The main emphasis being on CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, which are activated by the majority of cannabinoids. One of the most important aspects of effective anti-tumour medicine is its ability to reduce tumour cell multiplication; cannabinoids cause tumour cell death. (3.)
It is clear that cannabinoids are much more effective in cancer patient therapy and palliative treatment than currently used anti-tumour medicine. (4.,5.)
CHRONIC PAIN
Pain severely affects the quality of life. Opioids are not always effective for all types of pain. Cannabinoids have a different mechanism of operation when compared to currently used medicine, which is usually ineffective in terms of neuropathic, oncological and inflammatory pain. CBD markedly and positively affects multiple sclerosis patient pain and seizures, and is effective for patients with migraines, fibromyalgia and cancer. (6.)
Some studies are currently being conducted to prove the positive and marked effect of CBD on relieving post op pain without causing any adverse side effects, such as those caused by morphine. (6.)
In 2005, Sativex, a cannabis-based mouth spray, was approved for use in Canada for the treatment of multiple sclerosis neuropathic pain, and in 2007, for cancer patient pain. Many randomised clinical studies have proved Sativex’s effectiveness and safety in eliminating central and peripheral neuropathic, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer patient pain. (7.)
Localised CBD use is effective in eliminating pain and joint inflammation without side effects. (8.)
ANXIETY
Many studies have proved the strong anti-anxiety effect of CBD in patients suffering from social phobia, and this anti-anxiety effect is connected to the activation of 5-HT1A serotonin receptors. (9.)
The activation of CB1 cannabinoid receptors reduces anxiety in laboratory mice and supports anti-anxiety endogenic cannabinoid signalisation, supporting the opinion that CBD may be a new approach to anxiety treatment. (10.,11.)
Pre-clinical data in people supports the use of CBD in the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social phobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress syndrome if treatment is started in the acute phase. Currently, there is insufficient information available in terms of chronic therapy. (12.)
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE (IBD)
CBD is successfully used in the treatment of dogs with inflammatory bowel disease; in addition to its anti-inflammatory effect reducing symptoms, CBD fights the pain that accompanies it. Studies show that pursuant to CBD treatment, the symptoms of this disease may entirely disappear.
The positive aspects of CB1R receptor activation are evidenced in lower esophageal sphincter relaxation, improved uniformity of the upper stomach area, and reduced acid elimination, passage from stomach to intestine, elimination of intestinal fluid and colon drive activity. (13.)
CB1 receptors are located in the enteric nervous system and sensory nerve endings of vagus and spinal neurons, and regulate neurotransmitter release. CB2 receptors are mostly located in the immune system, and due to this pathophysiologic mechanism, the endocannabinoid system protects the gastrointestinal tract from increased liquid elimination. (14.,15.)
GLAUCOMA
Glaucoma is a frequently occurring disease which eventually results in vision loss pursuant to the selective death of retinal ganglion cells, and is accompanied by severe pain. Administering CBD under the tongue of glaucoma patients most successfully reduces eye pressure, though it, as yet, has not been proved whether pressure decrease is temporary or permanent. CBD is effective thanks to its neuroprotective properties. Moreover, cannabinoids are vasorelaxants and, as such, accelerate blood pressure in the eye. (16.,17.)
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
CBD treatment is effective for a range of cat and dog heart diseases; most importantly, its improvement of the heart function in dogs with arrhythmia. CBD protects against vein injury resulting from inflammation and type 2 diabetes induction; moreover, it reduces vascular permeability increase in these cases. CBD’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects are important. Treatment with CBD helps protect the heart against ischemic reperfusion injuries and prevents diabetes-related cardiomyopathies. CBD reduces heart attacks severity and increases blood circulation in animals after strokes. (18.,19.) The endogenic cannabinoid system is involved in the blood pressure lowering mechanism, which is connected to haemorrhagic, endotoxic and cardiogenic shock, and advanced cases of liver cirrhosis. Cannabinoids have, therefore, been recognised as antihypertensive substances. (20.) CBD reduces oxidative/nitrative stress, inflammation, cell death, and fibrosis. (21.)
INFECTIONS
CBD slows down the growth of various types of bacteria; some studies evidence its bactericidal effect on methicillin-immune Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). (22.) The anti-inflammatory effect of cannabinoids can speed up hosts’ inflammatory response to acute viral and stubborn infection. (23.) Studies have been conducted to prove the effect of cannabinoids on the immune system, particularly their effect on T-cells and infection immunity. CB2R receptors are primarily represented in immune system cells; therefore, the antagonists that bind to these receptors boost the immune system without psychotropic effect. (24.)
POST OP TREATMENT
CBD is almost ideal in that it reduces inflammation, controls pain and helps with the healing process after major surgery, particularly so after orthopaedic surgery. (25., 26., 27., 28.)
BLOOD CIRCULATION
Heartworm and heart valve disease reduce blood circulation in older dogs. Treatment with CBD improves blood circulation and reduces low blood pressure related complications. In studies, patients who consumed CBD exhibited lower blood pressure after application, as well as increased heart rate and lower pulse volume. (29.) Under controlled conditions, CBD has no effect on blood pressure and pulse. CBD lowers blood pressure and pulse in stressful situations, and increases blood circulation in the brain after strokes. Further studies on the potential hemodynamic effects of CBD under normal and stressful conditions are required. (30.)
References
1. Perucca E. Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Epilepsy: Hard Evidence at Last? J Epilepsy Res. 2017; 7(2): 61–76.
2. Devinsky O, Cilio MR, Cross H in sod. Cannabidiol: Pharmacology and potential therapeutic role in epilepsy and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Epilepsia. 2014; 55(6): 791–802.
3. Chakravarti B, Ravi J, Ganju RK.Cannabinoids as therapeutic agents in cancer: current status and future implications. Oncotarget 2014; 5(15): 5852–5872.
4. Bifulco M,Laezza C, Pisanti S in sod. Cannabinoids and cancer: pros and cons of an antitumour strategy. BJP 2006; 148(2): 123–135.
5. Massi P, Solinas M, Cinquina V in sod. Cannabidiol as potential anticancer drug BJCP 2013; 75(2): 303–312.
6. Manzanares J,Julian MD,Carrascosa A. Role of the Cannabinoid System in Pain Control and Therapeutic Implications for the Management of Acute and Chronic Pain Episodes 2006 Jul; 4(3): 239–257.
7. Russo EB. Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain2008 Feb; 4(1): 245–259.
8. Hammell DC, Zhang LP, Ma F in sod. Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis. Eur J Pain. 2016; 20(6): 936–948.
9. Tambaro S, Bortolato M . Cannabinoid-related agents in the treatment of anxiety disorders: current knowledge and future perspectives. Recent Pat CNS Drug Discov. 2012; 7(1):25-40.
10. Patel S1, Hillard CJ. Pharmacological evaluation of cannabinoid receptor ligands in a mouse model of anxiety: further evidence for an anxiolytic role for endogenous cannabinoid signaling. 2006 Jul;318(1):304-11. Epub 2006 Mar 28.
11. Gaetani S1, Dipasquale P, Romano A in sod. The endocannabinoid system as a target for novel anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs. Int Rev Neurobiol. 2009;85:57-72
12. Blessing EM, Steenkamp MM, Manzanares J2 in sod. Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics. 2015 Oct;12(4):825-36.
13. Hornby J Pamela,Prouty M Stephen Involvement of cannabinoid receptors in gut motility and visceral perception BJP 2004 Apr; 141(8): 1335–1345.
14. Massa F, Monory K. Endocannabinoids and the gastrointestinal tract. J Endocrinol Invest. 2006;29(3 Suppl):47-57.
15. Esposito G, Filippis DD, Cirillo C in sod. Cannabidiol in inflammatory bowel diseases: a brief overview Phytother Res. 2013 May;27(5):633-6. Epub 2012 Jul 20.
16. Tomida I R, Pertwee R G and Azuara-Blanco A. Cannabinoids and glaucoma. BJO 2004 May; 88(5): 708–713.
17. El-Remessy AB, Khalil IE, Matragoon S in sod. Neuroprotective effect of (-)Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol in N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced retinal neurotoxicity: involvement of peroxynitrite. Am J Pathol. 2003 Nov;163(5):1997-2008.
18. Stanley P Christopher, Hind H William, O'Sullivan E Saorise. Is the cardiovascular system a therapeutic target for cannabidiol? Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2013 Feb; 75(2): 313–322.
19. Walsh SK, Hepburn CY, Kane KA, in sod. Acute administration of cannabidiol in vivo suppresses ischaemia-induced cardiac arrhythmias and reduces infarct size when given at reperfusion. Br J Pharmacol. 2010 Jul;160(5):1234-42.
20. Pacher P., Bátkai S., Kunos G. Cardiovascular Pharmacology of Cannabinoids. Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2005; (168): 599–625.
21. Rajesh M, Mukhopadhyay P, Bátkai S. in sod. Cannabidiol attenuates cardiac dysfunction, oxidative stress, fibrosis, and inflammatory and cell death signaling pathways in diabetic cardiomyopathy. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010 Dec 14;56(25):2115-25.
22. Appendino G, Gibbons S, Giana A. in sod. Antibacterial cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa: a structure-activity study. J Nat Prod. 2008 Aug;71(8):1427-30.
23. Carol Shoshkes Reiss, Cannabinoids and Viral Infections. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2010 Jun; 3(6): 1873–1886.
24. Eisenstein K.T. Effects of Cannabinoids on T-cell Function and Resistance to Infection. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. 2015 Jun; 10(2): 204–216.
25. Nagarkatti P., Pandey R., Rieder S.A. in sod. Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs. Future Med Chem. 2009 Oct; 1(7): 1333–1349.
26. Mori MA, Meyer E, Soares LM in sod. Cannabidiol reduces neuroinflammation and promotes neuroplasticity and functional recovery after brain ischemia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2017 Apr 3;75:94-105
27. Lafuente H., Alvarez FJ, Pazos MR in sod. Cannabidiol reduces brain damage and improves functional recovery after acute hypoxia-ischemia in newborn pigs. Pediatr Res. 2011 Sep;70(3):272-7.
28. Genaro K. Fabris D., Arantes in sod. Cannabidiol Is a Potential Therapeutic for the Affective-Motivational Dimension of Incision Pain in Rats. Front Pharmacol. 2017 Jun 21;8:391
29. Jadoon K.A., Tan D.G., O’Sullivan S.E. A single dose of cannabidiol reduces blood pressure in healthy volunteers in a randomized crossover study. JCI Insight. 2017 Jun 15; 2(12):
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VETERINARIAN’S OPINION
| The work of a veterinarian at a vet clinic for pets is not only about treating animals. It is a wonderful profession intended just for the few of us. It is something I'm very proud of. It is about talking with pet owners whose pets might be the only company they have left in this world; it is the ability to listen to their anguish, worries, and sadness when their pets are suffering from health problems. Often, it is also about sharing joy with them when you are able to use your knowledge and work to treat a dog or cat. It means being proud of the performed work when pet owners are immensely grateful for helping their family members with health issues.
I want to be as successful as possible when doing my work. Often, the use of commercial medicines available on the market is not enough to entirely cure an animal; or perhaps, medicines have a number of adverse side effects.
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Lately, an increasing number of owners have visited my clinic slightly afraid to ask me for my opinion about the use of the cannabinoid CBD to treat their animals. There are many causes, from itchiness to older dogs and cats with tumours, personality issues and many more. I am very pleased to see that pet owners are very well informed, yet they still have certain doubts regarding the usefulness of CBD for animals. Usually, they fear that CBD might have a psychotropic effect.
The arrival of CBD Oil on the market and the official approval of its use for medical problems has opened a new world to me, a veterinarian, in terms of treatment options for sick animals. Therapy success is immense. The best thing is that I am now able to help animals in a natural way without causing any adverse side effects with the therapy.
When I recommend owners to use ZooActive CBD Oil for their pets, I always emphasise that CBD is not a psychotropic substance and that it is a natural cannabinoid that is so safe it cannot be overdosed and that even excessive dosages do not have any negative side effects. I also clearly explain to owners that this is not a medicine, but a food supplement with exceptional properties. It helps the body to restore normal and balanced functions. I can tell from my experience that the effects of ZooActive CBD Oil are virtually amazing in various diseases or immune system disorders.
It is probably the most difficult to answer the question of when to use ZooActive CBD Oil for puppies or kittens. The answer is virtually whenever they are suffering from mental problems, epileptic or epileptoid seizures, skin problems, digestive problems, eye diseases, diseases of various causes, immune system problems that sometimes don’t seem to end, post-op pain when even morphine preparations are ineffective, cancer, and many more. What’s most important is that we start using CBD Oil as soon as possible. In case of cancer patients, we might miss the time when cancer or cancer pain therapy can still be effective. If a treatment is not successful, we shouldn’t blame it on CBD Oil; we must be aware that there are always certain limits up to which certain conditions can be treated. I believe that pet owners should help their pets with ZooActive CBD Oil immediately when they find out that problems have occurred. Of course, I advise that they consult me or their veterinarians about the use of CBD and the treatment plan.
I have obtained vast experience with the use of CBD Oil. Its effects on animals are sometimes hard to believe, all from my daughter’s anxious kitten who’s finally stopped chewing and scratching its body after a few years. He has become a normal, unaggressive little tiger and a wonderful pet. Then there were dogs with new formations on the liver whose liver enzymes values have dropped; epilepsy patients whom I was able to cut down the use of phenobarbital in half or even entirely eliminate it; dogs with chronic inflammatory bowel disease; patients who suffered from the separation anxiety every day when their owners had to leave for work. With every patient saved and every grateful owner I have become more and more convinced that CBD Oil has given veterinary medicine new opportunities and new hope which can be used to help the affected animals in a completely natural, harmless and successful way.
Dear pet owners, if you care about your pet, I ask you not to hesitate or ask yourself if ZooActive CBD Oil helps. It does! Even more than you’d expect. Ask your vet for advice. He’ll be happy to help you decide for CBD Oil and have a great time with your hairy pet.
Rok Škrap, DVM.