Can CBD Help Dogs with Seizures?

Working with dogs for years, I knew the signs of a seizure, but nothing can really prepare you for the moment your pet starts seizing. Thankfully a natural solution is CBD for dogs’ seizures.

Daisy, a 16-year-old chihuahua rescue, came to me with a history of seizures. Before I could help Daisy, I had to fully understand what happens during a seizure and what causes them. Thankfully, CBD helped stop Daisy’s seizures while they were happening, and also helped prevent future seizures.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Seizure in Dogs?

A seizure is a common neurological condition in dogs in which the brain’s function is involuntarily disrupted. Epilepsy is the term used to describe repeated episodes of seizures.

Symptoms that your dog is having a seizure include:

• Collapsing
• Jerking
• Convulsing
• Stiffening
• Muscle twitching
• Drooling
• Loss of consciousness
• Chomping
• Tongue-chewing
• Foaming at the mouth
• Release of bowel or bladder

What Causes Seizures in Dogs?

Seizures are caused by an excess of electrical energy in your dog or cat’s brain. CBD Dog Health’s chief veterinary officer, Dr. Zac Pilossoph uses the analogy of seizures as a ‘brain sneeze’. 

Individual seizures can be caused by a number of things, including ingesting poison, liver disease, fluctuating blood sugar, fever, strokes, brain cancer, anemia, electrolyte problems, or head injury.

Epilepsy is typically categorized in two ways: Idiopathic epilepsy, also called primary epilepsy and symptomatic epilepsy. Idiopathic epilepsy has no identifiable cause and is often a genetic issue, while symptomatic epilepsy occurs when there is an identifiable underlying brain lesion or metabolic cause, like the ones mentioned above. Idiopathic epilepsy can be inherited in many breeds, however, it can occur in any breed or mixed breed, according to the American Kennel Club.

What To Do If Your Dog Is Seizing

The first thing to remember when your dog is having a seizure is to stay calm. Do not try to move the dog unless they are in an unsafe area (for example, if they are laying on the edge of a dock over water or are near a fire). If you must move the dog, try to move them from their hind legs or hips.

You can soothe your dog while they are having a seizure but keep your hands away from their mouth as they may clamp down with their jaw.

A single seizure should not last more than 5 minutes. If it does, consult an emergency veterinarian. Typically, seizures only last a few minutes and the dog will resume their normal activity afterward.

If your dog is prone to seizures, your veterinarian may prescribe phenobarbital (PB) and potassium bromide (KBr or K-BroVet Potassium Bromide). However, these medications may have negative side effects and can cause further liver damage, which is why many pet parents are turning to full spectrum hemp extract (CBD oil).

CBD For Dogs’ Seizures

CBD has been used by humans to treat seizures for years and has shown great success in both animals and people.

In fact, in 2003, the U.S. government patented CBD as a neuroprotectant (despite the U.S. prohibition on cannabis). Because of the rise of hemp-derived CBD for pets, the effects of CBD for dogs’ seizures are being studied now more than ever.

The body contains a system called the endocannabinoid system that includes neurotransmitters and receptors. This system helps control the body’s functions, such as appetite, sleep, and pain, as well as your reaction to the immune system.

It is thought that by communicating with receptors in your endocannabinoid system, CBD can change these functions.

Research On CBD For Dogs’ Seizures

Animal research indicates that the anti-seizure effects of CBD may result from reducing the excitability of neurons by acting on two receptor groups called GPR55 and TRPV1 receptors.

In a recent study, neurologist Stephanie McGrath assessed the short-term effect of CBD on seizure frequency in 16 dogs. Researchers randomly assigned a placebo or a hemp-derived CBD treatment to dogs in the trial for 12 weeks. Nine dogs received CBD while seven were given a placebo. All of the dogs in the study suffered from seizures.

Through the study, McGrath found that 89 percent of dogs who received CBD in the clinical trial had a reduction in the frequency of seizures. Additionally, McGrath saw a significant association between the degree of seizure reduction and the amount of CBD concentration in the dog’s blood.

This was not the only study to find CBD for dogs’ seizures to be a successful anti-epileptic supplement.

Another group of researchers conducted a similar experiment where three dogs who suffered epileptic seizures were given hemp-derived CBD for eight weeks. Researchers found a decrease in seizure intervals in two of the three dogs studied. The dogs were given varying amounts of CBD, and the dog who received the lowest number of mg of active CBD showed little to no improvement, while the dog who was administered 1700 mg showed the highest level of improvement. More isn’t always better, but in this case the level necessary for optimal results proved to be 1700 mg of CBD for dog’s seizures.

Dosing and Administering CBD For Dogs’ Seizures

The first step is to spend some time figuring out your pet’s optimal dosage. Contrary to popular belief, the size and weight of your dog have very little bearing on CBD dosage. The most effective way to establish dosage is to take into account each animal’s individual physiological state. We propose using a trial and error technique to assess your animal’s response and establish the best dose throughout the first several weeks.

According to our Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Zac Pilossoph, “It’s all about low and slow. It’s about the gradual introduction of CBD and continuous monitoring over time. When you’re switching therapy options, whether it’s pharmaceutical to pharmaceutical, or pharmaceutical over to nutraceutical, it doesn’t matter. The process should be gradual. The process could range from weeks to months. Keep a journal so you have a daily log of what’s going on to show your veterinarian.”

Based on our experience, we have seen success with 35–50 mg of our HEAL: 1100 mg Full Spectrum CBD Oil For Dogs daily. Break the daily dosage into several doses throughout the day (microdosing), to maintain bloodstream concentration. Microdosing helps maintain the CBD in the bloodstream, which aids in the prevention of seizures. CBD reaches a peak concentration at about 2 hours and is absent after approximately 6 to 8 hours. Additionally, CBD for dogs’ seizures can also be utilized situationally when your dog is experiencing an episode.

For the quickest and most complete absorption, lift your pet’s lip and apply the dosage directly onto their gums. It can also be mixed into food, and fatty foods can aid in the absorption of CBD, however the CBD will take longer (30-45 minutes) to enter the bloodstream as it passes through the digestive system, and may be less effective.

Related: CBD Dosage For Dogs

Case Study: CBD for Daisy’s Seizures

Daisy, a 16-year-old chihuahua rescue, came to me with a history of seizures (among other serious issues). When Daisy started seizing, I remained calm, but my heart was breaking for her. She had powered through so many other issues and her happy, curious spirit remained. However, the seizures were pulling her away from spending her twilight years playing and resting peacefully. Thankfully, I found that CBD was able to stop Daisy’s seizures while they were happening, as well as helping to prevent future seizures.

First things first, we safely weaned her off of Phenobarbital and other pharmaceutical medications. Next, we put her on a natural CBD regimen and switched her to a fresh and species appropriate raw diet. Within two weeks, Daisy’s feet were no longer red or inflamed, and her sores were gone. She also experienced a reduction in the number and duration of her seizures within the very first week. Within the month, Daisy was seizure-free!

In Conclusion

Seizures are scary; we know. We have seen them firsthand. The ability to shorten a seizure, and therefore reduce the damage from a seizure, is an incredible finding in scientific research. In addition to CBD for dogs’ seizures, it is important to make sure your dig is eating a healthy, species-appropriate diet to prevent the types of liver disease, fluctuating blood sugar, anemia, and electrolyte issues that can cause seizures. We recommend a fresh/raw diet that has all the macro and micronutrients they will need, in the right proportions. By preventing some of the deficiencies that cause seizures, you can often avoid them altogether.

To discuss CBD for your dog’s seizures or other pet health questions, you can book a consultation with Angela Ardolino, our cannabis expert, and our Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Zac Pilossoph, by clicking here.