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The Study: Using Cannabidiol-Rich Hemp Oil Extract for Canine Osteoarthritis-Related Pain
In 2018, we participated in a veterinary clinical trial study aimed at understanding "The Use of Cannabidiol-Rich Hemp Oil Extract to Treat Canine Osteoarthritis-Related Pain." More simply, the goal of this study was to understand whether full-spectrum hemp oil is truly effective at supporting comfort in dogs with osteoarthritic pain. As our mission behind HempMy Pet is to improve pets' quality of life, we were excited to participate in a study with some of the top veterinary researchers in the field.
What the Study Showed
In this 90-day trial, 37 dogs were enrolled. For varying reasons, 32 of the dogs completed the full 90 days. Of those 32 dogs, 30 demonstrated improved comfort. This was measured by an initial physical examination that included a pain and tenderness exam, mapping of pain patterns, an informal gait analysis, a metabolic profile, and an interview with each dog's owner. The same exams and mappings were performed during the biweekly assessments to inform dose adjustments, while the metabolic parameters were repeated at the end of the study.
Throughout the study, each dog's amount of CBD was closely monitored as gabapentin was reduced. Of the 23 dogs in the study taking gabapentin (a prescription that helps with pain and seizures), 10 were able to discontinue use entirely and 11 others were able to decrease their dosage with the addition of our full-spectrum hemp oil for dogs. This ensured each dog's comfort was retained as their amounts were adjusted.
To remove unnecessary variables, all participants continued on their prescription medications to prevent a withdrawal pain response. New prescriptions or medical modalities were not allowed during the course of the study. If a dog needed further care based on pre-existing conditions, they were removed from the study as needed.
Takeaways
- Benefits after the 90-day trial included decreased pain scores, improvements in mobility, and improved quality of life as defined by owners in 93% of participants.
- Of the 23 dogs taking gabapentin for pain, 10 were able to discontinue gabapentin with the addition of CBD oil. Of the 13 dogs who continued, 11 were able to reduce their dose to 20-60% of the original. This suggests that a CBD product, at an appropriate therapeutic dose, may provide a gabapentin-sparing effect for dogs experiencing chronic maladaptive pain.
- Due to the variation from product to product in CBD content and constituents such as terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids, it is essential to publish an analysis of the product being tested. HempMy Pet grows one specific cultivar of hemp for our extract, every time, for all of our products. Consistency is just as important as quality when it comes to your CBD products.
Thank you to Dr. Robin Downing, a world-renowned pain specialist in veterinary medicine and Hospital Director of the Downing Center for Animal Pain Management in Windsor, CO, and researchers Dr. Lori Kogan and Dr. Peter Hellyer from the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University.
Read the peer-reviewed study as published in 2020 in the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA) in its entirety here.
Want to try the same full-spectrum formula used in this study? Explore our 1000mg hemp oil for dogs or the full hemp for dogs collection.
