CBD for dogs with seizures: a natural solution?
Seizures in pets can be alarming and distressing, both for the animal and the owner. In many cases, seizures become a chronic issue that requires ongoing management.
Conventional anti-seizure medications often come with side effects and may not be effective for every pet, and as a result, many pet owners are seeking alternatives.
One natural treatment gaining popularity is CBD (cannabidiol)—a compound derived from the cannabis plant. Though it’s still a topic of ongoing research, CBD has shown promise as an alternative or complementary treatment in reducing seizures in both humans and dogs. Scientific studies demonstrating evidence of CBD use in cats with epilepsy is yet to be published.
In this article, we’ll dive into how CBD can potentially benefit dogs with seizures, drawing from recent scientific studies.
Understanding seizures in dogs
Seizures occur when there’s abnormal electrical activity in the brain, often resulting in convulsions, shaking, and loss of consciousness. If your dog experiences frequent seizures they may be diagnosed with epilepsy.
Epilepsy can be triggered by a range of conditions such as head injury, brain tumors, liver or kidney disease, or toxin exposure.
In some cases, dogs may develop idiopathic epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition in dogs characterised by recurrent seizures with no identifiable cause or a genetic origin. It is the most common neurological disorder in dogs, affecting up to 5.7% of the canine population.
While anti-seizure drugs like phenobarbital and potassium bromide are the recommended first-line treatments, they fail to control seizures in up to 30% of epileptic dogs. Additionally, these medications often cause adverse effects, underscoring the need for alternative treatments.
In severe cases, epilepsy can lead to euthanasia due to concerns over the dog’s quality of life, highlighting the need for effective seizure control.
How can CBD help with seizures?
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) which functions to maintain homeostasis in the body by regulating various physiological processes, including mood, appetite, pain sensation, and immune response. The ECS is present in both humans and animals, and its activation can influence how the brain and nervous system respond to conditions like seizures.
Read more about CBD, THC and the ECS here.
Research has shown that CBD can reduce the frequency and severity of seizures by:
Regulating neuronal excitability: Seizures often occur due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. CBD is thought to calm this hyperactivity by regulating how neurons fire and communicate with each other.
Anti-inflammatory effects: Seizures can sometimes be triggered by inflammation in the brain or nervous system. CBD may help reduce this neuroinflammation.
Neuroprotection: CBD has shown promise in protecting brain cells from damage caused by seizures, which can prevent further complications in dogs with epilepsy.
What the research says
The study design was a randomised, blinded controlled trial, conducted with 26 dogs. Dogs were split into groups whereby 12 dogs received CBD oil (2.5mg/kg twice daily) and 14 received a placebo, both in addition to their regular epilepsy meds. The treatment lasted for 3 months. The key findings were that dogs in the CBD group showed a 33% reduction in seizures, while the placebo group showed no significant changes. However, the number of dogs with a 50% or more reduction in seizures (considered “responders”) was similar in both groups. Some dogs in the CBD group experienced side effects like ataxia (loss of coordination) and two dogs were withdrawn from the study.
There was a link between higher CBD levels in the blood and seizure reduction. Dogs in the CBD group also had a rise in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an indicator of liver activity, but no behavioural issues were reported.
To conclude, while CBD did reduce seizures, the number of dogs who had major improvements was not much different from the placebo group. More research is needed, especially on whether higher CBD doses might be more effective at controlling seizures.
Fourteen dogs participated in a 6 month trial, where they received either a placebo or a CBD/CBDA extract (at 2 mg/kg orally every 12 hours). The researchers monitored the dogs' bloodwork, anti-seizure medication levels, and seizure frequency throughout the trial.
Results showed a significant reduction in seizure frequency during the CBD/CBDA treatment period, with the average number of seizures decreasing from 8 to 5. Additionally, the number of days with seizure activity also dropped significantly compared to the placebo. Six out of 14 dogs experienced at least a 50% reduction in seizures during the CBD/CBDA treatment, whereas none saw such a reduction with the placebo.
Routine blood tests remained mostly unaffected, aside from a mild increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, however, it must be noted that nine dogs in the study were receiving phenobarbital which predisposed them to elevations of this liver enzyme. The concentration of anti-seizure medication, such as zonisamide, phenobarbital, and bromide, showed no significant changes while on the CBD/CBDA treatment.
Side effects were minimal, with a few dogs experiencing drowsiness or temporary ataxia, but these were not significantly different from those seen during the placebo phase.
Overall, the study concluded that using CBD/CBDA-rich hemp extract in conjunction with conventional anti-seizure medication is safe and can help reduce seizure frequency in some dogs with refractory epilepsy.
It is advised to follow routine bloodwork to assess hepatic enzymes particularly when other anti-seizure medications are being administered, as these are known to commonly cause increases in ALT and ALP concentrations.
The trial was double-blinded and placebo-controlled, with dogs receiving either CBD or a placebo for 3 months. Initially, a 5 mg/kg/day CBD dose was tested, but it proved ineffective so the dosage was increased to 9 mg/kg/day.
At this higher dosage, dogs treated with CBD showed a significant reduction in total seizures, and seizure days, compared to those on placebo. Specifically, dogs on CBD experienced a 24% reduction in seizure days, while those on placebo saw a 6% increase. However, there was no significant difference found in the number of responders (50% or more reduction in seizures) between the two groups. CBD led to an increase in liver enzyme levels, and side effects such as decreased appetite and vomiting were more common during the CBD group than placebo.
As seen in previous studies, no significant changes to anti-seizure drug concentrations were found with CBD administration. The study concluded that CBD, at a dose of 9 mg/kg/day, can reduce seizures in dogs with drug-resistant epilepsy, but liver function should be monitored.
Conclusion
CBD is emerging as a promising add-on therapy for dogs with seizures, offering a potential natural remedy for those who may not respond well to traditional medications or for owners seeking a more holistic approach.
With further research and growing evidence, CBD could become a mainstream adjunctive option for helping manage seizures in pets. However, research is needed to explore its effectiveness in treating seizures in cats.
If your dog is suffering from seizures and you’re considering CBD as a treatment, consult your veterinarian to see if it is a suitable option.
