CBD for Dogs – Gun Dog

Whether your dog has an illness, chronic pain, anxiety, or you just want to speed his recovery up after a long hunting trip, CBD may be the cure you have been looking for. (Shawn K Wayment photo)

After a memorable desert quail hunt in southern Arizona, my hunting partner and I caught up with another group of die-hard desert quail hunters on the local Mexican dive to discuss the day’s events and exchange views. After eating delicious chile rellenos and sipping Mexican lager and listening to the mariachi quartet, we somehow got on the subject of how tough hounds are at being able to run 100-250 miles in one weekend – weekend after weekend for all of September through to February shooting season. I’ve always said, “God made bird dogs tough!” Our discussion centered on a recent seminar I attended on CBD oil and its benefits for our hunting dogs.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in both hemp and marijuana plants. There are currently at least 85 known cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, with CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) being the most well known. CBD is completely free and independent of THC – the cannabinoid causes the psychoactive or high sensation associated with marijuana. Cannabis-derived medicine dates back over 5000 years when the Chinese recognized its healing abilities in human diseases such as malaria, gout, and osteoarthritis. It wasn’t until around 1839 that Irish medical researcher William O’Shaughnessy published a study of the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis. O’Shaughnessy’s research was very controversial at the time because of the psychoactive effects and stigma of marijuana. In 1942, an American chemist, Roger Adams, isolated cannabidiol, but it was several years before scientists identified THC as the culprit for the euphoric effects associated with marijuana use. Due to the euphoria of THC, research into the medicinal uses of the plant was restricted until around 1978 when New Mexico passed the Controlled Substances Therapeutic Research Act in 1978 – a law that legally recognized the medicinal value of cannabis. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized federal CBD products made from hemp throughout the United States. This law did not legalize marijuana, but instead legalized the medicinal use of zero percent THC CBD oil and other CBD products with less than 0.3 percent THC content.

CBD has a wide range of benefits and therapeutic properties to help improve your hunting dog’s home health and performance in the field. (Shawn K Wayment photo)

The endocannabinoid system

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) in our bird dogs is identical to the ECS system in humans and many other mammals. There are two types of cannabinoid receptors: CB1 and CB2, which are found in the body and interact directly with cannabinoids. Both types of receptors are found throughout the body in numerous organ systems and tissues such as the brain, lungs, liver, gastrointestinal tract, vascular system, bones, skeletal muscles, nerve tissue and reproductive organs. CBD can be given to dogs for a variety of conditions because the receptors are located throughout the body. I recently treated my own dog for a vascular accident (stroke – also known as geriatric vestibular disease) in the middle ear, which caused her to be very dizzy, nauseous, and lack appetite. I doubled her dose of CBD oil and was amazed at her recovery from the stroke. In my practice, I have also used CBD oil on pets with idiopathic epilepsy, cancer, and severe osteoarthritis with great results.

CBD Benefits for Dogs

Our bird dogs are super athletes. They push their absolute limits every day of the hunting season, both physically and mentally. Because of the benefits of cannabinoids and their ability to reduce the body’s oxidative stress, I started giving all of my dogs CBD oil on a daily basis, even during the off-season. CBD is good for muscle regeneration as well as pain management by reducing the inflammatory process and thereby directly reducing swelling and pain. A 100 mile weekend of chukar hunting in Idaho’s Rim Rock Land causes strain and strain on your muscles, resulting in muscle damage and breakdown. CBD is rich in anti-inflammatory properties as well as antioxidants that greatly speed up the recovery process.

CBD products can help relieve your dog’s discomfort from hip dysplasia and other mobility problems such as osteoarthritis. (Shawn K Wayment photo)

Administering CBD after exercise will also increase the appetite of our bird dogs, reduce metal stress and help them sleep better at night before the next day of hunting. Keep in mind that there are numerous CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain and central nervous system where CBD can improve your brain’s response to psychological stressors and anxiety, which can ultimately contribute to a faster recovery rate. Other current uses of CBD in veterinary medicine in dogs include the treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases, aggressive behavior, seizure management, appetite stimulation, anxiety and weight gain, and arthritis and inflammation.

Here’s how to choose a CBD product for your dog

While there are a variety of CBD products for your dog, including oil tinctures, dog treats, capsules, ointments, and others, not all CBD products are created equal. The global CBD pet market in 2019 was valued at $ 27.7 million and is expected to grow 40.3 percent through 2027. I have found that not all CBD oil supplements for dogs are created equal and everyone is out to benefit from a growing industry because of the heightened awareness of pet owners. I am currently using Dr. Jamie Gaynor from Peak Therapeutics.

Dr. Gaynor is a world renowned Veterinary Anesthesiologist and Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner. The website and products of Dr. You can find Gaynor at www.PeakTherapeutics.net or at (970) 884-3422. I use his Healthy Pet formulation in the green box and give all my dogs (including my 1 and ½ year old puppies) 5 mg or 0.05 ml (equivalent to about 1 drop per 10 pounds) for every 10 pounds of dog body weight, mixed twice a day their food. My 47 pound English setter is given 5 drops on her food twice a day. I prefer the oil tinctures for their ease of administration.

Dr. Gaynor is the author’s preferred CBD product. (Shawn K Wayment photo)

Before deciding on a CBD product for your dog, it is always a good idea to consult your personal veterinarian before starting any therapy, including CBD oil or other over-the-counter products such as SAMe, fish oils, elk antler or glucosamine and Chondroitin. Your veterinarian can help you choose the most suitable CBD product and assist you with the right dosage for your dog (s).

With so many therapeutic benefits, CBD can provide the extra support your hunting companion needs during post-hunt recovery, relieve pain or anxiety, or provide comfort in recovery from a field trauma or chronic illness.

The rugged desert terrain can devastate the balls and feet of our hunting dogs; Consider using topical CBD products to help them recover faster. (Shawn K Wayment photo)

source https://www.bisayanews.com/2021/09/24/cbd-for-dogs-gun-dog/