What this article covers
Arthrosis in dogs and CBD
Like humans, dogs can also suffer from arthrosis. And contrary to what one might think, even young dogs or dogs in the prime of life can suffer from this disease. Arthrosis makes the dog's joint movements painful, and can cause him to limp. Let's see together how to recognize the symptoms of arthrosis in dogs, and what research says about CBD.
What is arthrosis?
Arthrosis is a disease of the cartilage, which causes pain when the joints are mobilized. It can affect one or more joints. Cartilage has 2 very important functions: it is a flexible and smooth tissue that reduces friction between two bones of the same joint and also absorbs the pressure that may be exerted on it. In dogs, as in humans, arthrosis manifests itself by wear and tear of this cartilage. This thinning means that it can no longer absorb the pressure properly, which will increase its wear and tear even more. Arthrosis is classified in 2 categories:
- Primary arthrosis is a natural wear and tear, which mainly affects older dogs.
- Secondary arthrosis can occur when the cartilage of the joint has been damaged by injury or disease.
Symptoms
To find out if your dog is suffering from the onset of arthrosis, it is necessary to observe his behaviour. When one or more of his joints are painful, the dog will often refuse to run or jump, and he may also limp. In the same way, you will be able to observe that at rest, he will avoid resting on the joint that hurts him. As the disease progresses, the joint may become blocked.
Diagnosis
If you have any suspicions, make an appointment with the veterinarian. He will conduct a thorough examination of all your dog's joints. His diagnosis will also be based on x-rays that may or may not confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Arthrosis is a disease that cannot be cured, but its symptoms can be alleviated. The veterinarian may prescribe analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. In the most serious cases, surgery may be considered depending on the state of health of the dog and the affected joint.
CBD and arthrosis in dogs
Dogs, like us, have an endocannabinoid system, which explains the interest of researchers in CBD (cannabidiol). CBD is a substance derived from industrial hemp (Cannabis Sativa) whose possible effects are being studied in humans and animals, without any conclusion to date. CBD (cannabidiol) is a member of the cannabinoid family, as is THC. THC is the psychotropic molecule found extensively in Cannabis Indica. When talking about cannabis, it is important to understand that cannabis is actually a family of plants :
- Cannabis Sativa (industrial hemp) rich in CBD, very poor in THC (less than 0.3% according to the law).
- Cannabis Indica, poor in CBD, and very rich in THC
- Cannabis Ruderalis, low in CBD and THC
CBD, unlike THC, is not psychotropic and is not classified as a narcotic in France. THC is toxic to dogs. Here is what some studies, mostly preclinical, explore:
- Several preclinical studies have observed anti-inflammatory effects of CBD. (MECHA et al. 2013, KOZELA et al. 2013, Li et al. 2013).
- A possible effect on pain is being studied. (Lu et al. 2015, GENNARO et al. 2017)
These results do not allow any conclusion for dogs. CBD is not a veterinary medicine: never give it to your dog without the advice of your veterinarian, who will choose the treatment of his arthrosis and check possible interactions.
