A recent, 2018 study from the University of Cornell,College of Veterinary Medicine tested the safety and analgesic efficacy of cannabidiol based oil in dogs with osteoarthritis (OA). Single-dose testing was done first with a randomized placebo-controlled cross-over study done afterward.
The researchers tested two different doses, 2mg/kg and 8mg/kg of CBD enriched oil. The dogs received either the 2mg/kg CBD enriched oil or a placebo oil every 12 hours for 4 weeks with a 2-week washout period. Hematology, serum chemistry testing and physical examinations were performed at each visit. The study concluded that “Pharmacokinetics revealed an elimination half-life of 4.2 h at both doses and no observable side effects. Clinically, canine brief pain inventory and Hudson activity scores showed a significant decrease in pain and increase in activity (p < 0.01) with CBD oil. Veterinary assessment showed decreased pain during CBD treatment (p < 0.02). No side effects were reported by owners, however, serum chemistry showed an increase in alkaline phosphatase during CBD treatment (p < 0.01),” via Frontiers Media SA. 1.
Researchers added that 2mg/kg cannabidiol oil, when given twice daily to dogs with osteoarthritis, proved effective in increasing comfort and activity in dogs. This study also added that” Routine nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) treatments, though efficacious, may not provide adequate relief of pain due to osteoarthritis (OA) and might have potential side effects that preclude its use, particularly in geriatric patients with certain comorbidities, such as kidney or gastrointestinal pathologies.” As for other usual osteoarthritis pharmaceutical treatments like gabapentin and amantadine, they added that “there is little evidence regarding their efficacy in dogs with chronic or neuropathic pain related to OA. Recent medical interest in alternative therapies and modalities for pain relief has led many pet owners to seek hemp-related products rich in cannabinoids.”