CBD for IVDD in Dogs

As your canine companion continues to age or face genetic predispositions, conditions such as Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD) can disrupt their quality of life.

In addition to your dog’s current prescribed medication, you and your veterinarian could also discuss CBD for dogs. For a while now, many dog owners have cited CBD’s entourage effects and potential benefits for their dogs. 

In this article, we will explore how CBD use may support IVDD management in dogs, providing a comprehensive guide for pet owners navigating this complex terrain.

We'll start by explaining the fundamentals of IVDD in dogs, its symptoms, and conventional treatments. Then, we'll look into CBD, discussing its potential benefits, various forms, and how it interacts with a dog's endocannabinoid system. 

As we examine both scientific research and anecdotal evidence, we aim to provide you with a balanced view of CBD's potential role in managing IVDD in dogs.

Understanding IVDD in Dogs

Intervertebral disks are spongy pads found between the vertebrae in the dog's spine. Vertebrae are bones that form the dog's spine, and the spinal cord is found inside the spine. The spinal cord is made of nerves that link the brain to the local nerves which control the limbs' movement among other functions.

The intervertebral disks in dogs are found underneath the dog’s spinal cord, their functions include:

• Absorbing shocks for the dog's spine

• Their flexibility allows the dog's spine to bend 

• They help protect the spinal nerves in the dog's spine

• They cushion the vertebrae from shock

IVDD is mainly caused when the intervertebral disks are stressed, causing a spinal injury. There are two main ways in which IVDD can occur:

• Type I IVDD

• Type II IVDD

Type I IVDD

Type I IVDD happens when the disk’s soft center bursts out through the outer layer, it's commonly referred to as a slipped disk or herniated disk. So, how does this happen?

The disks degenerate over time and become brittle. This degeneration occurs mostly in dogs that have short legs and long backs, features found in dog breeds such as Dachshunds, Beagles, and Shih Tzus.

When the weakened disks are suddenly stressed, they can burst. They can even be caused by normal activities such as:

• Jumping off furniture

• Running up stairs

• Playing roughly

• Even just turning quickly

Type II IVDD

Type II is a result of a dog's natural aging process. As dogs get older, the disks lose their water content and flexibility, causing the outer layer to slowly weaken and bulge under normal pressure. 

Type II can happen in older dogs which are usually over 5 years old and in larger dog breeds like German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and Doberman Pinschers. IVDD early stages symptoms in dogs may include:

• Pain in the hind legs or neck pain

• Urinary or fecal incontinence

• Limp tail

• Head held low

You should know that both types of IVDD can cause similar symptoms, but Type I often has a more sudden onset and can be more life-threatening. Type II slow progression can give you more time to intervene before it escalates further.

Conventional Treatments for IVDD in Dogs

IVDD in dogs requires prompt and appropriate treatment to manage pain, prevent further damage, and restore function while IVDD is still in its early stages. The approach to treatment depends on the severity of the condition.

Conservative Treatment

For mild cases where your dog experiences pain but retains the ability to walk, conservative treatment is often the first choice of treatment. It includes:

1. Strict Crate Rest

Crate rest is crucial for allowing the damaged intervertebral disk to heal.

Your dog will be confined to a small, comfortable space such as an orthopedic bed for 4-6 weeks. Movement is restricted so as to prevent further intervertebral disk herniation and orthopedic beds may just do the trick.

2. Pain Management

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Carprofen or Meloxicam are commonly prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation.

These pain medications inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes, reducing prostaglandin production and thereby alleviating pain in your dog.

3. Muscle Relaxants

Drugs such as Methocarbamol or Diazepam may be used to reduce muscle spasms associated with IVDD in dogs.

These pain medications work by depressing your dog’s central nervous system, leading to muscle relaxation.

4. Gabapentin

Gabapentin is often used for neuropathic pain. It works by modulating calcium channels in your dog’s nervous system, reducing the transmission of pain signals.

5. Physical Therapy

Once the acute phase has passed, gentle physical therapy can help maintain muscle tone and joint flexibility. This may include passive range of motion exercises, controlled walking, and hydrotherapy for your dog.

6. Acupuncture

Some veterinarians offer acupuncture as a complementary treatment. Some studies suggest it may help with pain management and neurological recovery.

7. Surgical Intervention

For more severe cases, where your dog has significant neurological impairment or paralysis, surgical treatment is often necessary.

Before any spinal surgeries are to be carried out, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is first studied to understand the extent of the damage. The spinal surgeries aim to relieve your dog's spinal cord compression and they are:

8. Hemilaminectomy

This is the most common spinal surgery procedure for IVDD in dogs. It involves removing a portion of the vertebral bone to access the spinal canal and remove the herniated intervertebral disk material. This procedure relieves pressure on your dog’s spinal cord and nerve roots.

9. Ventral Slot Procedure

This IVDD surgery is mostly used for neck intervertebral disk herniations in dogs. A small window is created in the vertebral body to access and remove the herniated intervertebral disk material.

10. Fenestration

This procedure involves creating a small window in the outer layer of the intervertebral disk to remove degenerated nucleus pulposus material. As one of the preventive measures, it's often performed with other surgical treatments to prevent future herniation.

The Potential of CBD for IVDD Dogs

Dogs have a network of receptors and neurotransmitters that regulate mood, sleep, immune system function, and inflammatory responses. This network is known as the endocannabinoid system(ECS) and consists of:

• Endocannabinoids which are natural compounds produced by the body

• Receptors such as CB1 and CB2

• Enzymes that break down endocannabinoids after they've served their purpose

This interaction may further have a wide range of effects on your dog’s overall well-being, and the same could be true for cats.

Supporting a Healthy Inflammatory Response

Vets have found that dogs with IVDD often experience inflammation around the affected intervertebral disks.

Moreover, research on inflammation in dogs suggests that CBD may influence certain inflammatory pathways, potentially supporting your dog’s body’s natural ability to manage inflammation.

The various components of the inflammatory response that may be influenced include:

1. Cytokine Modulation

Scientists found that CBD may help modulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that increase inflammation. Further, CBD's properties might support the production of cytokines like IL-10.

2. Immune Cell Function

CBD may interact with immune cells like T-cells and macrophages which are important in dealing with inflammation in dogs, as evidenced by multiple research studies.

To IVDD dogs, this interaction may support their normal immune cells and potentially reduce inflammation around the affected disks.

3. Oxidative Stress

An oxidative stress happens due to an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in the body, which can contribute to inflammation.

With CBD, scientists in one study found that it has antioxidant properties that may potentially support your dog’s defense against oxidative stress. Therefore helps with inflammation in dogs with IVDD.

Promoting Comfort and Mobility

IVDD puts pressure on the dog’s spinal cord and nerves, causing discomfort and mobility issues.

Various research has shown that CBD may influence ECS receptors such as vanilloid, adenosine, and serotonin receptors. Let’s look at this interaction in a more detailed way:

1. Vanilloid Receptors (TRPV1)

These receptors are known as pain receptors, due to their role in pain sensation. CBD may support the activation of these receptors, supporting your dog’s natural comfort mechanisms.

2. Adenosine Receptors

Adenosine is a neurotransmitter whose function includes regulating sleep-wake cycles in dogs. CBD may support adenosine signaling by inhibiting its reuptake as reported in some studies. This may potentially help dogs with IVDD to maintain normal sleeping patterns.

3. Serotonin Receptors

These receptors regulate mood, sleep, appetite, and pain perception in a dog’s body. Research shows CBD may interact particularly with 5-HT1A receptors, a subtype of serotonin, and potentially support its function.

Dogs with IVDD may be able to maintain normal serotonin signaling.

Available Forms of CBD for Dogs

After an understanding of how CBD may help dogs with IVDD and consulting your vet, let’s discuss the types of CBD for dogs. CBD for dogs often comes in three types based on their molecular content: full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate. 

Full-spectrum CBD contains all naturally occurring compounds found in the hemp plant, including various cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.

It also has THC (less than 0.3%). The combination of these compounds, as evidenced in various studies, produces an entourage effect, potentially enhancing the therapeutic benefits of CBD. In broad-spectrum, CBD and all-natural compounds except for THC are present.

CBD isolate is pure cannabidiol, with all other hemp plant compounds removed. It's THC-free, making it a good choice for pet owners concerned about THC exposure. But it doesn't provide the potential benefits of the entourage effect. Under the full spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate, the following forms of CBD can be found.

Oils and Tinctures

Many pet parents prefer CBD oils and tinctures for their versatility.

CBD oil formulations have CBD extracts suspended in a carrier oil such as hemp oil. They are more concentrated and thus are cost-effective as they can be used for a long time.

CBD oil is a preferred method for CBD because it offers precise dosing when using a dropper. CBD tinctures can reach the ECS system faster when given sublingually and can also be easily mixed with foods or treats.

Treats and Chews

You will also find treats and chews that contain CBD. These CBD-infused forms are more convenient as they come in different flavors, which often resemble regular treats.

These flavored CBD treats and chews make it more enjoyable for your dog. They also come in pre-measured doses, which reduces the time you will often take to measure CBD dosages.

Topical Applications

CBD topicals for dogs include creams, balms, and salves designed for external application.

While less common for IVDD treatment, they may offer localized pain relief for muscle tension or discomfort associated with the condition. You apply by massaging gently into your dog’s skin, particularly areas where your dog feels discomfort. 

CBD Recommended Dosage for Dogs

Determining the appropriate CBD dosage for your dogs requires careful consideration of several factors.

You should note that there's no one-size-fits-all approach, a dog's response to CBD can vary. However, here are some general guidelines that may help you find an effective starting point.

Always consult with a veterinarian familiar with CBD use in dogs before starting any new treatment regimen. As research in this field continues to evolve, we may gain even more insights into the benefits and optimal use of CBD for canine IVDD.