Lameness and limited mobility are major problems for pets suffering from chronic pain, inflammation, or age-related conditions.
The mild and moderate acute pain and inflammation associated with these conditions can be managed in the short term with analgesic drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs). Despite their efficacy, alternatives need to be found because of the potential limitations associated with long-term use. For example, dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids has shown significant improvement in some clinical parameters and weight bearing.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) consists of a network of endogenous cannabinoids derived from the omega-3 and omega-6 metabolic pathways, similar to other lipid mediators that provide long-term regulation and balance of neural, metabolic, and immune functions.
In the U.S. study of 2024, a crossover evaluation of the effect of full-spectrum hemp oil, administered orally at 2 mg/kg BID of phytocannabinoids for 8 weeks, was conducted in 37 dogs with pain living in shared home environments. Dog pain was reported by the owners, along with the home-based activity. In addition, accelerometer-based activity, walkway gait and tolerability were assessed at each stage of the study.
Secondary objectives included changes in blood biochemistry, liver enzymes, inflammatory biomarkers and plasma metabolites.
The results
The intervention was positively associated with decreased pain levels (-46.2%), increased ability to climb and descend stairs (10.6-14.7%), and improved daily activity (25.9%). Reductions in plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 were also observed.
The work highlights the possibility that intervention with whole hemp oil can support chronic animal pain and improve immune health. The response to supplementation was sustained throughout the active phases of the study and was associated with measurable improvements in pain and mobility levels. Therefore, full-spectrum hemp oil dosed at 2 mg/kg BID may benefit dogs that have inadequate chronic pain management or suffer from the systemic side effects of pain medications.
Reference
Panda C, Rathinasabapathy T, Metzger B, Dodson S, Hanson D, Griffiths J and Komarnytsky S (2024) Efficacy and tolerability of full spectrum hemp oil in dogs living with pain in common household settings. Front. Vet. Sci. 11:1384168. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1384168
