CBD Oil for Dog Seizures: Does It Work? Should You Use It?

CBD stands for cannabidiol which is one of the many hemp byproducts.

It can create an oil derivative with high extraction standards to provide various benefits and minimal side effects.

CBD does not have psychoactive effects like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another by-product of hemp.

One of the common uses of CBD oil is to manage seizures in pets, especially dogs.

It is a natural alternative to various medications for seizures in pets.

In this article, we will thoroughly analyze everything about the use of CBD oil for dog seizures.

Ready to try CBD for your dog? We recommend Diamond CBD for pets.

Is Using CBD Oil for Dog Seizures Safe?

Yes, CBD oil is safe for use in dog seizures.

A study in the journal of the American Veterinary Medical shows that CBD offers significant help to dogs with seizures without any adverse effects.

The study shows a 33% reduction in the frequency of seizures in dogs. However, there may be a need to do more research on more dogs.

The byproduct has no psychoactive effects like THC.

Furthermore, CBD extracts are known to have a THC concentration of 0.3%.

Therefore, your dog will not experience any psychoactive effects because of the deficient THC concentration.

Also, it is essential to consult with your veterinarian before you enroll your pet in supplement treatments such as CBD oil treatment.

Your vet has a broad perspective on your dog’s health.

Therefore, they can offer an individualized approach that fully suits your dog’s situation.

Benefits of CBD Oil for Dog Seizures

To understand the benefits of CBD oil for dog seizures, you first need to understand how CBD works.

CBD is one of the many compounds present in the hemp plant.

It plays a role in the dog’s endocannabinoid system and has no psychoactive effects, unlike THC.

The endocannabinoid system is a biological system on the nervous system that affects mood, appetite, memory, and sleep.

It consists of endocannabinoids, enzymes, and receptors.

The receptors help to break down CBD molecules in the body. There are two types of receptors for cannabidiol; CB1 and CB2.

CB1 receptors are in the central nervous system. They are responsible for regulating pain, coordination, mood, memory, and appetite.

On the other hand, CB2 receptors are in the peripheral nervous system, influencing inflammation and pain.

CBD acts on CB1 receptors to calm the neurons and reduce seizure activity. Therefore, there is a low risk of using CBD for dog seizures because it is natural.

Apart from helping with seizures, CBD oil also helps to relieve the following conditions in dogs :

• Anxiety and stress
• Chronic inflammation
• Arthritis and joint pain
• Moderate to severe pain
• Nausea
• Digestion problems
• Cancer symptoms
• Inability to settle or relax
• Lack of energy

Ready to try CBD for your dog? We recommend Diamond CBD for pets.

Is CBD Oil for Dog Seizures Legal?

The legal issue of CBD is usually the next biggest concern after safety.

CBD became legal from coast to coast in the United States on January 1st, influencing 2019 thanks to the Farm Bill of 2018.

However, CBD wasn’t always legal in the United States. Colorado was one of the first states to legalize CBD.

Furthermore, most studies that helped to legalize CBD took place at Colorado State University. The research looked into the effects of CBD on dog seizures.

Furthermore, they are still conducting more research to understand better how cats’ and dogs’ bodies absorb CBD.

Humans and pets alike have an endocannabinoid system with receptors that allows us to break down CBD oils in our bodies.

The Farm Bill of 2018 addressed was direct as it legalized the manufacture, possession, and use of hemp products.

Therefore, CBD oil, an extract of hemp, is now legal in all 50 states within the United States. Other countries have also made CBD use legal, and others that have a ban on hemp products.

If you are traveling, even with your pet, you need to check if that country has legalized CBD oil.

It will help to avoid the legal repercussions of using CBD oil in countries where it is illegal.

What’s the CBD Oil Dosage for Dogs With Seizures?

It is important to understand that there is no standard dose for dogs with seizures.

The exact amount you should use for seizures in dogs depends on a dog’s body weight.

Moreover, the seizures and other existing health conditions frequency help determine the exact CBD oil dose you should give your pets.

Seizures with a higher frequency can occur for a higher dose about two to three in a day. Dogs with a lower seizure frequency should take one dose of CBD oil per day.

You also need to read the instructions on the bottle’s label before you administer cannabidiol.

Ready to try CBD for your dog? We recommend Diamond CBD for pets.

Some labels will advise you to administer two doses a day and recommend one dose per day. CBD oil doses are only meant for dogs with well-developed brains.

Vets recommend that you only offer your dog treats and other products such as CBD oil only after they are at least 12 weeks old.

CBD affects the brain, and your dog needs to be old enough to avoid complications.

It is essential to consult your vet to determine if your dog’s brain is developed enough.

Causes of Dog Seizures

Seizures are a result of an excessive surge of electrical energy in the brain of your dog.

The surge causes the dog to lose control of its body.

There are various causes of faulty electrical activity in the brain that causes seizures in dogs.

The leading causes include:

• Epilepsy
• Tumors
• Diabetes
• Heat exhaustion
• Strokes
• Anemia
• Liver disease
• Low blood sugar
• Nutritional imbalances like thiamine deficiency
• Heartworms
• Ingested poison such as chocolate and caffeine
• A significant head injury such as a road accident
• Infectious diseases like rabies and canine distemper virus infection (CDV)
• Fever

It’s also essential to understand the types of seizures to understand their causes better. Repetitive seizures are known as epilepsy.

The main types of seizures include:

Idiopathic seizure

There is no identifiable cause of Idiopathic epilepsy.

Instead, it usually occurs as a result of genetics. According to the American Kennel Club, any breed or mixed breed can inherit seizures.

However, some breeds are more prone to inherit seizures.

They include Australian Shepherds, German Shepherds, Belgian Tervuren, English Springer Spaniels, Dachshunds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Beagles, Golden and Labrador Retrievers, Standard Poodles, Irish Wolfhounds, and Border Terriers.

Psychomotor seizures

Psychomotor seizure is a type of seizure where the dog exhibits strange behavior such as biting imaginary objects, running around aimlessly, exhibiting strange behavior, chasing excessively after one’s tail.

Focal Seizures

These are seizures that only affect one region or side of the brain.

Therefore, the dog will only be affected on one side.

Sometimes a focal seizure can develop into a grand mal seizure.

Grand mal Seizure

These are also known as generalized seizures.

They are a result of abnormal electrical activity in the dog’s brain.

Grand mal seizures last for a few seconds or minutes.

Symptoms of Dog Seizures

Various symptoms can let you know if your dog is having a seizure.

They include:

• Collapsing
• Convulsions
• Jerking movements
• Muscle twitching
• Stiffening
• Drooling
• Loss of consciousness
• Foam at the mouth
• Chomping
• Release of the bladder or bowel
• Tongue chewing

Some dogs will fall to the side and paddle uncontrollably with their legs.

Some stare off, appear dizzy, unsteady, or confused before a seizure occurs.

After the seizure, the dog could be temporarily blind, wobbly, or disoriented.

Dogs also often bump into things and walk in circles. Some dogs also try to hide.

Others experience increased thirst (polydipsia), increased appetite (polyphagia), aimless wandering, and compulsive behavior.

Seizures Often occur early in the morning, when the dog is asleep or resting, or at night.

Furthermore, most dogs recover from a seizure by the time you take them to the veterinarian for an examination.

Younger dogs tend to experience more severe seizures and epilepsy.

However, seizures respond positively to medication if the condition starts early before the dog is two years old.

Also, more seizures increase the risk of damage to the brain neurons and the risk of getting subsequent seizures.

How CBD Oil for Dog Seizures Helps

Scientists have found that CBD offers various benefits to humans, and research is still ongoing.

Research has found that CBD oil has a considerable impact on the management of seizures in dogs.

The median reduction of seizures among the dogs in the research was 33%.

Therefore, CBD oil has anticonvulsant effects in dogs with seizures.

More research is necessary to assess the impact of CBD oil on dog seizures.

Ready to try CBD for your dog? We recommend Diamond CBD for pets.

How Does CBD Oil for Dog Seizures Work?

CBD oil acts on your dog’s endocannabinoid receptors to help manage seizures.

Studies suggest that seizure and epilepsy cause an imbalance in your dog’s endocannabinoid system.

There are two types of endocannabinoid receptors in your dog’s body.

One type is in the nervous system and the other in the immune system.

CB1 is present in your nervous system, especially in the brain. CB2 receptors are mainly present in the immune system.

Research suggests that CB1 receptors are the most important in treating dog seizures because they are in the brain where the seizures originate.

CBD acts on the receptors to help minimize the frequency of the receptors and give the patient more control over the seizures.

Therefore, CBD helps to reduce seizures through the external modulation process.

Extra Modulation is when CBD attaches to CB1 and CB2 chemical receptors to regulate their chemical activity.

More research is necessary to uncover the exact way CBD helps to reduce seizures.

A theory claims CBD can affect the receptors of neurons that experience an electrical surge during a seizure.

How to Treat Dog Seizures With CBD Oil

CBD oil does help to reduce the severity and frequency of the dog’s seizures.

The exact dose depends on the dog. It considers factors such as weight, underlying treatment, severity, and frequency of seizures.

The typical amount is about one dose of CBD oil per day. However, some dogs require more.

Dogs with frequent and intense seizures could take 2 to 3 doses.

It is essential to consult with your veterinarian before you decide on a dose for your dog.

Your dog could use between 2 to 8 mg/kg. Some use doses of 1 to 2 milligrams per body weight pound.

You will select the most appropriate form of CBD for your dog.

Ready to try CBD for your dog? We recommend Diamond CBD for pets.

Some dog owners prefer to use chewable tablets, while others use tinctures and oils.

Furthermore, you should follow the dose instructions on the bottle of any medicine or supplement you give your dog.

Are There Negative Side Effects of CBD Oil for Dogs With Seizures?

CBD seems to be a safe option for dogs with seizures.

It is a natural product that has few side effects.

Diarrhea is the most common adverse effect of using CBD oil.

The dog’s body needs time to adjust to the presence of CBD in the system.

Therefore, it is advisable to start with a low dose and increase it gradually.

If you notice any other weird or persistent side effects, you should immediately stop the dosage and call the veterinarian.

Moreover, you should always be careful of the source of CBD oil for your dog’s seizure.

Unverified manufacturers may sell contaminated CBD oil, which results in unpredictable side effects.

In addition, some manufacturers add too much THC, which causes psychoactive symptoms.

What To Do if Your Dog Has a Seizure

CBD oil takes a while to take effect. Therefore, it is essential to care for your dog and essential to provide emergency and first aid services.

Take the following steps if your dog has a seizure:

1. The first thing to do if your dog has a seizure is to be calm.
2. Avoid moving the dog unless they are unsafe. The areas that count as unsafe include on the road, near a fire, at the edge of a dock, and more.
3. If you move your dog during a seizure, hold the hind legs or hip and move them.
4. You can soothe your pet during a seizure but avoid going close to their mouth because they may bite your hand or clamp another body part.
5. A normal seizure usually lasts for about 5 minutes maximum. If it takes a significantly longer time, you need to call an emergency veterinarian.
6. After a seizure, let your dog sleep, eat, drink, and rest. You can also wrap it in comfort and call your vet.

Conclusion

Dogs are also prone to seizures and epilepsy, just like humans.

There are various medications available, but some have side effects.

CBD oil has proven to offer various benefits to humans and animals alike.

It is a natural product with very minimal or no side effects to a patient.

Ready to try CBD for your dog? We recommend Diamond CBD for pets.

In pets, like dogs, it helps to address conditions like arthritis, seizures, epilepsy, and more.

Researchers uncovered that CBD could help minimize the frequency and intensity of seizures.

The amount of CBD oil you should give your dog depends on their weight and condition.

Ensure you reach out to your veterinarian to advise on the CBD dosage for your dog and to help you manage seizures.

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