Humans and Dogs (all vertebrae animals) have an endocannabinoid system in their body that is responsible for bringing the body into balance (homeostasis). Endocannabinoids are produced in the gut, which bind to receptors in the Central and Peripheral Nervous system telling the body how to heal itself. However over time the endocannabinoids in the body become deficient due to a number of factors-exposure to toxicity, eating processed foods, medications, stress etc. Inflammation within the body then starts to develop and the body is unable to maintain balance. This is where health issues and medical conditions may start to occur.
How has Cannabis become popular as a treatment option?
The Cannabis Sativa plant can be used to supplement the low levels of endocannabinoids in the body. Most people do not realise that there are two forms of Cannabinoids from the cannabis plant- Hemp and Marijuana. Marijuana has a high level of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in it which causes the renowned ‘High’ feeling. However Hemp has only a trace of ‘THC’ (less than 0.03) deeming it non addictive, with no ‘High’ symptoms. It is the Hemp part of the Cannabis plant that is used in the CBD oil to treat health issues and promote well-being, as the cannabinoids from the plant are bioidentical to the endocannabinoids made in the body and therefore supplement the body’s low levels. CBD oil has been shown to bring Mind, Body and Spirit back to balance.
How do we currently treat animals with medical conditions and why doesn’t it always work?
Generally speaking most people will visit the Doctor or the Vet who prescribes drugs usually to treat the symptoms, not the core. If they are a good practitioner then they will explore to look at what is causing the symptoms, treating the root cause rather than just the symptoms. Unfortunately when we/our dogs are given drugs to treat just the symptoms it shuts that symptom down which in effect throws the whole endocannabinoid system out of balance.
Drugs kill the microbes in the gut, which are responsible for keeping the gut healthy and free of inflammation. Most medical conditions are as a result of the body not working in balance which increases inflammation due to the cannabinoids being deficient. This is where we see an increase in Cancer and all the ‘ITIS’ conditions –Arthritis, Pancreatitis, Dermatitis in both humans and our dogs. 80-85% of the body’s immune system is in the gut. So if the microbes in the gut are not present/functioning optimally then the whole immune system is not going to function as it should to heal the body. This then becomes a vicious cycle. How often do we keep returning to the doctors because the drug or antibiotic hasn’t worked and then we’re given a different type of drug? How often when your dog has a digestive condition or an ear infection are they given antibiotics? The reason drugs don’t always work is because they are treating the SYMPTOM not the CORE ROOT of the symptom but at the same time preventing the body from healing itself by destroying the immune system!
How can we get the body in balance?
Nutrition is key. Raw food provides your dog’s body with meat, vegetables and fruit providing a balanced diet to get the gut back to health. Supplementing with Spirulina, Digestive enzymes and Probiotics will also give it a kick start if their digestive and immune system is at ‘rock bottom’.
The CBD Oil can be used to reduce inflammation and bring the Cannabinoid system into balance, enabling the body to work at an optimal level. There are different strengths of oil depending on whether you are giving it to treat an acute or chronic condition and it can be taken orally or in food. Like anything you have to ensure that you source a Full spectrum oil made from the Hemp Flower, not industrial Hemp and ensure that your oil is high quality and organic.
From what I have learned over the last year of using it with my dogs and myself is that the dose rate is solely dependent on the symptoms you observe after dosing. I started using it with my dog Alfie (pictured) who has severe arthritis in his lumbar spine and Hypothyroidism. His health had been declining over a year. He was lethargic, grumpy, his coat was dull and hair brittle and generally he was not a healthy looking dog even at 13 years old. He was already on a raw diet but it just wasn’t enough to heal him. So I started giving him CBD oil. At first I was unsure of his dose rate so I started by giving him a low dose of 4 drops morning and evening on a cracker. Within 30-60mins I saw a response, if I didn’t then I would increase the dose. The dosing guidance generally states giving 1mg-5mg per 10 lbs of body weight, to control pain give every 4-8 hours, for general well-being give AM and PM per day. The reassuring thing I learned from my research was that the only symptom from giving too higher dose was being ‘too sleepy’.
At the beginning I monitored his response and adjusted his dose rate accordingly. Then over time I saw his symptoms improve so I started to reduce his dose, keeping him on a maintenance well-being dosage. The difference it has made to Alfie’s life is miraculous. Within a year his personality has come back, he is more relaxed and his coat which had been the most devestating change, has now become fluffy and white again!
Unfortunately we live in a world where people have become reliant on needing statistics and Scientific studies in order to ‘trust’ medicine or training techniques. I have always and will continue to be a strong believer in listening to the animal, observing them for positive and negative signs. When I’m working with dogs people often ask me ‘What Scientific evidence do you have that this works?’ My response is always the same ‘The evidence is right in front of you, your dog will tell you by the change in their Mind, Body and Spirit!’
Contact me for more information on buying and using CBD oil with your dog.