Cannabidiol therapy for epileptic seizures in animals

What are the symptoms of an epileptic seizure in an animal?

Before we start talking about the different effects of CBD, it seems essential to understand how epileptic seizures manifest themselves in animals. During epileptic seizures, convulsions are very common since this condition affects the nervous system as well as the spinal cord. The neurons no longer function properly in your pet and the seizures can occur at different frequencies. The intensity can also vary from seizure to seizure.

Mild seizures cause varying degrees of symptoms. However, these are not life-threatening for your pet. Your dog or cat will usually stare, breathe more rapidly than usual and have brisk eye movements.

In contrast, severe seizures cause some pretty impressive symptoms; foam coming out of the mouth, violent spasms and sudden collapse. This is a very distressing situation for the owner who is a spectator to the crisis without being able to act immediately.

If you notice any of the above symptoms, take your pet directly to the vet. If this is the first time this has happened, do not attempt to administer CBD oil until you have had professional advice.

The management of CBD attacks is an important part of the pet's life.

Managing a pet's seizure

When a seizure occurs, CBD oil is absolutely not effective in getting through it. Besides, there is no treatment or miracle cure to stop it radically. The aim of the therapy is purely preventative.

First of all, if you notice that your pet is having a seizure, keep calm and move it away from anything that could hurt it (sharp object, edge of a table, electrical outlet, etc.). If the seizure lasts for several minutes and your pet is "overheating", you can cool him down by putting cold water on the tips of his paws.

Epileptic seizures usually last a few minutes and eventually pass on their own. Once calm has returned, it is essential to take your pet to a vet to adjust treatment and, why not, consider taking CBD.

The use of CBD is a good way to prevent seizures.

The use of CBD against animal epileptic seizures

Some recent studies have shown the effectiveness of CBD in reducing the frequency and severity of seizures in pets, particularly dogs.

Research after several clinical trials on dogs has shown that dogs respond in the same way as humans to CBD. And for good reason, we have the same endocannabinoid system.

Cannabinoids can be used in a variety of ways.

However, there are no studies on other animals yet. For this reason, CBD should never be used to treat a pet without the prior advice of an animal health professional.

It is not possible to use CBD in a pet without the advice of an animal health professional.

Is it possible to use CBD for epilepsy in dogs?

Epileptic seizures are often triggered by an episode of intense stress. CBD, specifically in oil form, is a natural anti-stress soother and calmer in both dogs and humans. As scientific studies have already confirmed, dogs have cannabinoid receptors in their central nervous system in the same way as humans.

It is important to note that CBD in no way cures canine epilepsy as it is not a cure. It simply reduces the severity of the symptoms, namely the intensity and frequency of seizures in the dog.

Many dog owners are reluctant to give CBD to their companions because they are afraid of the side effects. And yet, CBD is a completely natural substance that is safe to use and has no psychoactive effects, unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). As such, CBD can be used therapeutically to provide relief to your pet without any risk.

What are the adverse effects of CBD in pets?

CBD is a natural alternative that provides relief for your dog without causing complications or life-threatening side effects.

Dogs tolerate this substance rather well as it is considered a dietary supplement. However, it should be noted that these animals are more sensitive than humans to CBD, which is why it is imperative to respect the daily dose. Generally, products intended for animals contain a low level of CBD in order to avoid overdosing.

Overall, it is possible to say that by respecting the doses, CBD is a safe dietary supplement that does not have any adverse effects if used properly and especially at low doses.

How to use CBD to combat canine epilepsy

If you don't know anything about CBD, it is recommended that you do a lot of research to fully understand its composition, mode of action and benefits. For dogs, this substance is more often found in the form of oil, shampoo, spray or even treats. This makes it fairly easy to use.

Once you have selected a product, check its ingredients as well as the advice for use found on the back of the packaging. It is also important to stick to the prescribed doses. There is no point in starting with a large dose to get more results, as this will only reduce the effectiveness of the CBD on your pet's body.

What dose of CBD for epilepsy in a dog?

There is no standard dose of CBD in dogs. It will depend on several factors such as size, breed, age and severity of symptoms. As a general rule of thumb, professional recommendations based on your dog's weight are as follows:

• 4 to 6 drops of CBD oil per day for an animal weighing less than 10 kilos.
• 8 to 12 drops of CBD oil per day for an animal weighing 10 to 25 kilos.
• 15 drops per day for an animal over 25 kilos.

As with humans, it is recommended that you start with minimal doses and then gradually increase until you reach the recommended dose. This will allow you to see how your dog's body adapts to the substance.

Caution, CBD is not toxic to dogs but it can cause side effects if given in high doses. Do not hesitate to consult a veterinarian if you are unsure.

Caution: CBD is not toxic to dogs but can cause side effects if given in large doses.

What you need to know before starting a CBD treatment in an animal

First of all, note that CBD is in no way a replacement for a drug treatment. It does not treat or cure epilepsy in animals.

If your pet is suffering from epilepsy, you should be aware that CBD is not a substitute for medication.

If your pet is already under medical treatment, never give CBD before you have had the agreement of the vet as there could be interactions between the different molecules.

In general, before starting a CBD treatment, consult your vet. He will tell you more about the effects of this substance. It will also help you to know what is the ideal dose to give to your pet in order to relieve its symptoms as soon as possible.

The best way to find out is to ask your veterinarian.