Can CBD Treat My Older Dogs Joint Pain?

by E. Mironchik-Frankenberg, DVM.

As a cannabis educator who tackles issues for both people and their pets, the question I’m most often  asked is “Can my CBD help my dog’s arthritis?” It’s not surprising, given that cannabidiol or CBD is popping up everywhere. Today’s pet parents have an enhanced awareness of their options, and the  desire to provide the best possible care to their furry children. As a result, our pets are living longer,  happier lives. As our pets age however, like us, they too can suffer from the typical aches and pains that  go along with living a full life. It’s no wonder that more and more pet parents are asking about CBD to  help alleviate some of the common symptoms of arthritis or “joint pain” in their senior pets.

Osteoarthritis, aka degenerative joint disease, is typically referred to simply as “arthritis,” and is one of  the most commonly reported ailments facing senior dogs. One study reported that 1 in 5 dogs will be  diagnosed, and this percentage increases with age and other factors.¹³ This condition is defined, in its  simplest terms, as inflammation of the structures within the joint, and can result in swelling, stiffness,  and pain. Pet parents often report a wide range of symptoms possibly including one or more of the  following:

• occasional limping and/or difficulty in getting up from rest
• changes in posture or sitting position
• reluctance to climb the stairs or jump on the couch
• lack of interest in their favorite exercise or activity
• behavioral changes, including depression
• lack of appetite 
• reluctance to be touched or petted 

Numerous factors contribute to the likelihood of developing this condition, especially those dogs with previous injuries or surgeries, congenital abnormalities, large breeds and those with weight issues.  Regardless of the cause, no parent wants to see their 4-legged family member in pain. 

CBD or cannabidiol, the second most abundant cannabinoid, has long been used in humans for all kinds  of painful conditions. It’s well-known to be non-euphoric, but have anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective,  and analgesic effects.^2,9 In humans, pain relief is one of the most common reasons for turning to  cannabis. But what about our pets? Despite the lack of voluminous scientific data, pet owners are  reaching for CBD for their pets in pain. Advertisements for products using testimonials about the effects  of CBD for arthritis in pets are everywhere, but is there any research to back it up? 

The answer to this question is yes. There is a slowly increasing body of evidence that CBD can help  manage pain in pets as well as people. The first scientific study on dogs completed in the U.S. in  conjunction with a major veterinary university, was published in 2018. The results were encouraging  and indicated that the CBD product used in the study was well tolerated and effective for dogs with  osteoarthritis pain.³ This is not surprising given that CBD has powerful anti-inflammatory effects via

multiple mechanisms within the body.^9,2 Currently, there are numerous other studies underway to  further examine the use of CBD for painful pets.^4,10

Traditional drug treatment for osteoarthritis in dogs consists of several classes of prescription  medications, all with long lists of side effects. The category veterinarians will usually reach for first are  the NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). We’ve all encountered drugs in this category that  includes aspirin, ibuprofen, carprofen, and meloxicam, just to name a few. Even though people and pets  utilize these products regularly, long term use increases the risks of vomiting and diarrhea, gastric  ulceration and liver/kidney damage in dogs.¹⁵

Pet parents are seeking better, progressive options in getting relief for their fur babies. As a result,  today’s veterinarians looking to have a more holistic or “multimodal” approach will generally opt to add  several different methods of treatment. For example, combining prescription medications with physical  _{therapy, acupuncture and weight loss.} I would argue that when treating osteoarthritis, a condition  characterized by inflammation, reaching for a potent anti-inflammatory compound with a more  favorable safety profile is warranted.¹⁶ CBD fits these criteria and may be a valuable addition to the tools  needed to manage your older dog’s joint pain. It may even be helpful in decreasing the doses of other  prescription medications.

Talk to your veterinarian, let them know you want to explore this option. This is a conversation you will  probably need to initiate. There are a wide variety of formulations available to pet parents, and  products need to be evaluated for safety and quality. In addition, CBD is not “one size fits all.” The  appropriate methods for delivery and dosing schedules are very individualized. Products made for people may not necessarily be safe for pets. While CBD may not be the best choice for every pet, it’s  worth the discussion. 

Remember, it’s crucial to have your licensed veterinarian oversee your pet’s treatment. You and your  veterinary team should work together to establish goals and a reasonable plan. You will need to choose  a product, determine an appropriate dosing schedule, monitor your pet’s progress, and watch for any  unintended effects. Be aware that this is a “trial and error” process that can take time and may need  periodic changes and re-evaluation. Always start with a low dose and slowly increase until the desired  effects are noted. I advocate for having baseline lab testing done, ideally before starting a CBD regimen.  This is important, as CBD has been noted to increase some liver enzymes and at this time, we do not  know the significance of these changes.³ Then, regular monitoring via exams and periodic lab testing is  an important part of the care for your senior pet.

** “All information provided above is intended to be educational only and does not represent veterinary medical  advice. Please see your pet’s regular medical provider with whom you have a valid veterinarian-client-patient  relationship for discussion and treatment. Any discussion of dosing or how to use medial cannabis products is not a  legal prescription, recommendation, or endorsement. Use of medical cannabis products in an animal species  should only be done after a full examination and discussion with a licensed veterinarian in compliance with all  applicable laws.”

References:

1. Adams, VJ., Ceccarelli, K., Watson, P., Carmichael, S., Penell, J., Morgan, DM. (2018) Evidence of  longer life; a cohort of 39 labrador retrievers Veterinary Record 182, 408.
2.  Zuardi, Antonio Waldo. (2008). Cannabidiol: from an inactive cannabinoid to a drug with wide  spectrum of action. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry, 30(3), 271-280. https://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1516-44462008000300015
3. Pharmacokinetics, Safety and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs.  Gamble, Boesch, etc al. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, July 2018; Vol 5, article 165.  https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2018.00165/full
4. Rumple, S. (2019) How Expanded Research Is Clearing Up Cannabis Confusion. Trends magazine.  http://www.aaha.org/blog/NewStat/post/2019/02/21/372460/A-Growing-Case-for Cannabis.aspx#
5. https://www.leafly.com/news/health/qualifying-conditions-for-medical-marijuana-by-state
6. https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/most-common-qualifying-conditions-for-medical cannabis
7. Bradford AC, Bradford WD, Abraham A, Bagwell Adams G. Association Between US State  Medical Cannabis Laws and Opioid Prescribing in the Medicare Part D Population. JAMA Intern  Med. 2018;178(5):667–672. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.0266 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/articleabstract/2676999?appId=scweb
8. Ren, Y., Whittard, J., Higuera-Matas, A., Morris, C. V., & Hurd, Y. L. (2009). Cannabidiol, a  nonpsychotropic component of cannabis, inhibits cue-induced heroin seeking and normalizes  discrete mesolimbic neuronal disturbances. The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of  the Society for Neuroscience, 29(47), 14764–14769. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4291-09.2009 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2829756/
9. Russo E. B. (2008). Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain. Therapeutics and  clinical risk management, 4(1), 245–259. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503660/
10. https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/liberty-leaf-announces-completion-of-cbd-research study-on-canine-pain-management-691252831.html
11. https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/osteoarthritis-in-dogs
12. https://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/care/common-ailments-for-senior-dogs
13. https://www.aaha.org/graphics/original/professional/resources/other%20resources/mobilitym atters.pdf
14. https://www.aaha.org/public_documents/professional/guidelines/2015_aaha_aafp_pain_mana gement_guidelines_for_dogs_and_cats.pdf
15. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/product-safety-information/veterinary-non-steroidal anti-inflammatory-drugs-nsaids
16. https://www.ahvma.org/wp-content/uploads/AHVMA-2018-V52-CannabisAdverseEffects.pdf