A small but exciting new pilot study has found CBD to be a promising treatment for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy.
Scientists from Colorado State University’s James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital ran the study on 16 pet dogs to see if CBD would reduce the frequency of their epileptic seizures.
While 7 dogs in a control group were treated with a placebo, 9 dogs received CBD oil for 12 weeks. Of those, 8 had a reduction in the frequency of seizures.
The cause of idiopathic epilepsy in unknown despite it being the most common canine neurologic condition, affecting up to 5.7% of the global pet dog population.
More CBD, less seizures
In addition to the distinct reduction of seizures in the group of dogs that received CBD oil, the study found a significant association between the amount of CBD in the dog’s blood and the degree of seizure reduction.
“We saw a correlation between how high the levels of CBD were in these dogs with how great the seizure reduction was,” lead author of the study, Dr. Stephanie McGrath, said.
The findings of this study are already influencing other ongoing studies led by the neurologist. Like a current clinical trial that launched in January last year and to analyse the effect of CBD oil on 60 dogs with epilepsy.
“It’s really exciting that perhaps we can start looking at CBD in the future as an alternative to existing anticonvulsive drugs,” McGrath said.
Cover Photo: Jonathan Daniels
