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Dogs, just like people, can develop glaucoma. Although severe eye diseases like glaucoma may seem like a simple eye problem, these are actually emergency eye problems that may progress and become worse in a short period of time. Approximately 40% of dogs will lose their vision due to glaucoma.
If your dog’s eyes are red, misty, itchy or extremely weepy, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian immediately. With the high frequency of predisposed glaucoma occurring in purebred dogs, it’s important to know what to look out for so that you don’t miss the early signs. Mixed dog breeds are also susceptible to glaucoma.
Pain associated with glaucoma often shows up as behavioral changes in dogs. That said, you’re going to need to know how CBD oil can help dogs with glaucoma.
Glaucoma takes place when there is an imbalance in the production and drainage of eye fluid. (aqueous humor) This then results in a buildup of fluid in the eye that increases eye pressure to very high levels, and causes a lot of pain. It is important to note that increased eye pressure in dogs should be taken seriously, since it may result in the destruction of the retina and optic disk.
Primary entails the eye’s inability to drain through the filtration angles of the eye.
This is painless with a gradual development of blind spots or loss of vision over a long period of time. Primary open angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma in dogs. Your veterinarian will need to use a tonometer to measure eye pressure in your dog.
The Dog Breeds Most Commonly Affected by Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma are Shiba-Inus, Beagles, and Shih- Tzu’s.
This occurs due to a sudden increase in eye pressure, and is accompanied by severe pain, eye redness, and may cause a loss of vision. With glaucoma affecting approximately 1.7% of all dogs in the US, it’s necessary to visit your veterinarian immediately if you suspect that your dog is suffering from any eye problems.
Glaucoma will usually benefit from long-term treatment. Although early signs of glaucoma are hard to distinguish, your veterinarian will use the following methods to diagnose and treat glaucoma in your pooch.
-Tonometer to measure eye pressure
-Medical or surgical treatment or a combination of both to decrease eye pressure
-Medication that will draw out eye fluid or decrease the production of eye fluid
If your dog is not treated immediately for glaucoma and has a prolonged eye pressure within the eye, symptoms may result in the following:
A new 2018 study from Indiana University found that “Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the primary psychoactive ingredient of marijuana, was found to effectively lower pressure in the eye, as has been previously reported. But the study found that the use of CBD in combination with THC blocked this effect.”
The study also states that “the chemical that causes this rise in pressure is cannabidiol, or CBD, a non-psychoactive ingredient in cannabis that is increasingly marketed to consumers in products such as oil, gummies, creams, and health food. It is also approved in many states as a treatment for conditions such as pediatric epilepsy,” via Science Daily
The study concludes with the following “There were studies over 45 years ago that found evidence that THC lowers pressure inside the eye, but no one's ever identified the specific neuroreceptors involved in the process until this study. These results could have important implications for future research on the use of cannabis as a therapy for intraocular pressure."
Hemp refers to the cannabis varieties that are grown as an agricultural crop, and also contain low amounts of THC(tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is federally illegal in the US if it contains a higher amount than the O.3% allowed for use, though it’s been approved for both recreational and medical use in Canada, and numerous US states.
For all CBD pet products to be legal, they need to have less than 0.3% THC. CBD is natural, safe, and is derived from hemp and cannabis. Most CBD dog products will use CBD from hemp. That said, there is no “high” and dogs will not consume THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, resulting in psychoactive effects with your dog getting “high”.
CBD is a non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid and yields therapeutic and medicinal purposes for dogs. To help you understand more about the benefits of CBD oil for dogs dealing with glaucoma, let’s look at some research.
The potency of CBD oils both in capsule form, and those in bottles with droppers are much more potent and are sometimes more difficult to administer to difficult dogs that don’t take meds via droppers.
A few product lines contain phytocannabinoids, terpenes and fatty acids which support a huge range of ailments like phobias, joint pain, inflammation, digestive issues, mobility, seizures, and anxiety.
CBD Possible Side Effects in Dogs
When it comes to dogs suffering from glaucoma, or chronic ocular hypertension, we need to be aware that eye pressure can reach 45-65 mmHg, making this an incredibly painful condition for dogs. Consulting with your veterinarian for immediate diagnosis and treatment whether medical or surgical is step one.
Your veterinarian will most likely recommend long-term treatment and drugs that will draw out the fluid from the eye, as well as other drugs that will decrease the production of fluids. It is important to keep in mind that although eye pressure is lowered initially, it will need to be stabilized throughout your dog’s lifetime to prevent further eye problems.
With all CBD dog products including edibles, the dosage will vary according to the brand you choose. Dogs will need different dosages, so it’s important to discuss with your vet first prior to using any CBD dog product. Consult with your veterinarian for safe and accurate dosage instructions.
Finding out whether the CBD oil you purchase is safe for your furry best friend should be easy!
Today with the unsanctioned medical use of CBD- based products containing a variety of oils, supplements, gums, and some with a very high concentration of extracts, we should all become familiar with what the safety norms are, and what to look out for when purchasing a safe, high-quality CBD oil free of contaminants that may be dangerous to your dog’s health. That said, always consult with your veterinarian prior to purchasing any CBD product for your pooch!
CBD breaks down peroxynitrite on contact. Because it’s an antioxidant, it prevents the formation of peroxynitrite inside the cell. CBD may prevent blindness by preventing apoptosis of neurons. That said, CBD with CBN, and CBG may help with glaucoma in dogs.
A 2003 study demonstrated that “in glaucoma, the increased release of glutamate is the major cause of retinal ganglion cell death. Cannabinoids have been demonstrated to protect neuron cultures from glutamate-induced death, “via PubMed. This study concluded that “The effect of THC was in part mediated by the cannabinoid receptor CB1. These results suggest the potential use of CBD as a novel topical therapy for the treatment of glaucoma.”
A 2006 pilot study wanting to assess the effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) and the safety and tolerability of oromucosal administration of a low dose of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) on people stated the following, “A single 5 mg sublingual dose of Delta-9-THC reduced the IOP temporarily and was well tolerated by most patients. Sublingual administration of 20 mg CBD did not reduce IOP, whereas 40 mg CBD produced a transient increase IOP rise,” via PubMed.
That said the use of CBD oil for glaucoma has been backed up by several studies. In a 1984 study, “intraocular pressure, ocular toxicity, and neurotoxicity after administration of cannabinol or cannabigerol lowers ocular tension considerably. While cannabinol had a modest effect on intraocular pressure after a single dose, it caused a more significant reduction in ocular tension during chronic administration. Cannabigerol had similar effects, but the magnitude of response to its chronic administration was greater,” via PubMed.
This study suggests that the use of hemp-based products and cannabis supplements, when administered in the right dosage, proved effective in treating glaucoma in dogs. As usual, consult with your veterinarian for the best CBD oil products for dogs with glaucoma is recommended. That said, hemp-based CBD pet products offer all the chemicals from the hemp plant which includes CBD, CBN, and CBG, as well as numerous other compounds like terpenes and cannabinoids.
When looking at all the CBD pet products, the most important consideration is if a CBD product uses anisolate or a full-spectrum oil. A full spectrum oil is the most potent and is derived from the entire plant.
The extraction of the oil takes place via a carbon dioxide process called CO2 extraction which entails using pressurized carbon dioxide to extract the CBD from the entire plant. CO2 functions as a solvent when reaching extreme temperatures, yet because it is under the boiling point, it’s cold. It is processed to create oil from the plant. It is also a clean and environmentally friendly process.
CBD edibles or dog treats make dosing easier for fussy dogs. Opt for natural, vegan,non-GMO, and US sourced and manufactured. CBD dog treats and edibles that are not organic or natural may contain pesticides, solvents or fungicides.
Whenchoosing a CBD oil or dog treats for dogs with glaucoma, it will be necessary to do the following:
Nowadays, thanks to the internet, pet parents can do a lot of research. Your dog’s good health depends on you. Not only is it safe and non-toxic, but CBD oil can also give you peace of mind in that apart from helping dogs with glaucoma, it can also ease your dog’s pain as well.
With all the positive effects of CBD oil for dogs that may help treat anxiety, pain, cancer, seizures, joint pain, tumors, and glaucoma, full-spectrum hemp CBD products may be a good choice. As usual, consult with your veterinarian first.
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Meet The Author
Canine Specialist & Writer
Claudia Bensimoun is a freelance journalist and author, and specializes in veterinary content, and eBooks. She's a long-time feature writer for Animal Wellness magazine, Fido Friendly magazine, and the United States Dog Agility Association. In addition, Bensimoun has written for numerous pet websites, magazines, newspapers and online publications. Her interests include wildlife conservation, animal welfare, disaster/ humanitarian relief, veterinary research, and veganism.
