Garcia recently conducted a study on the use of a CBD/CBDA hemp extract in dogs with refractory epilepsy. The study lasted for six months and involved 14 dogs who were randomly assigned to either receive the CBD/CBDA extract or a placebo for three months, followed by a switch without any washout period. The dogs in the treatment group were given a dose of 2 mg/kg twice daily. It’s worth noting that all the dogs in the study were already on three or more antiepileptic drugs and had stable dosing.
The results showed that six out of the 14 dogs experienced a significant reduction of more than 50% in seizure frequency when given the CBD/CBDA extract. Although ALP levels were found to be elevated, there were no differences in the concentrations of other antiepileptic drugs such as Zonisamide, Phenobarbital, or Bromide, indicating that CBD does not interfere with their metabolism. Some dogs in the treatment group did experience mild ataxia and somnolence, but this was not significantly different from the placebo group.
In a study conducted by McGrath, adverse effects associated with CBD in healthy dogs were initially reported. In a follow-up study by McGrath, the effect of CBD in addition to conventional antiepileptic treatments was evaluated in canine patients with refractory epilepsy. This randomized, controlled clinical trial involved 26 client-owned dogs, who were assigned to either a treatment group or a placebo group for a duration of 12 weeks. The treatment group was administered a CBD oil suspension with a dosage of 2.5 mg/kg twice daily for a duration of 12 weeks. The study involved sixteen dogs, and the results showed a significant decrease of 33% in monthly seizures among the dogs in the CBD group.
Additionally, there was an increase in ALP levels. Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed between the change in seizure frequency and the concentration of CBD in the plasma. This finding is noteworthy as it suggests that canine patients may require higher doses of CBD compared to humans. It is important to note that bile acids were not measured in this study; however, the levels of serum Phenobarbital and Bromide remained unchanged in the patients.
Based on these findings, CBD seems to have a clear antiepileptic effect and can be considered as a safe and reasonable treatment option for managing idiopathic epilepsy alongside conventional antiepileptic medications, especially in cases where other treatments have failed. However, further studies are needed to determine the optimal dosage and evaluate its efficacy in different types of seizure disorders. It’s important to note that obtaining CBD can be challenging as most products are only available online, and the quality can vary greatly. Therefore, it’s advisable for clients to exercise caution and choose reputable brands.