Skip to main content
Canna~Fangled Abstracts

The efficacy and safety of cannabidiol as adjunct treatment for drug-resistant idiopathic epilepsy in 51 dogs: A double-blinded crossover study

By October 27, 2023November 13th, 2023No Comments

. 2023 Oct 27.

doi: 10.1111/jvim.16912.

Online ahead of print.
Aaron J Rozental 1, Brooke G Weisbeck 1, Isabella Corsato Alvarenga 1, Daniel L Gustafson 1, Breonna R Kusick 1, Sangeeta Rao 1, Lisa R Bartner 1, Stephanie McGrath 1
Affiliations 

Free article

Abstract

Background: Approximately 30% of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (IE) are drug-resistant. Recent studies have suggested cannabidiol (CBD) may be an effective anticonvulsant in dogs with IE.

Objective: To evaluate the addition of CBD to antiseizure drugs (ASDs) on seizure frequency and to report adverse events in dogs with drug-resistant IE.

Animals: Fifty-one dogs. Dogs having at least 2 seizures per month while receiving at least 1 ASD were included in the trial.

Methods: Double-blinded placebo-controlled crossover study. The 5 mg/kg/day dosage met futility requirements after 12 dogs, and a dosage of 9 mg/kg/day was used in the next 39 dogs. Dogs were randomly assigned to receive CBD or placebo for 3 months, with a 1-month washout period between oils. Total numbers of seizures and seizure days were recorded. Diagnostic testing was performed periodically throughout the trial.

Results: At the 9 mg/kg/day dose, the decrease in total seizure frequency was significant compared with placebo. A 24.1% decrease in seizure days occurred in dogs receiving CBD and a 5.8% increase occurred in dogs receiving placebo (P ≤ .05). No significant difference was found in the number of responders (≥50% decrease in total seizures or seizure days). Liver enzyme activities increased at both dosages. Decreased appetite and vomiting were more common in the CBD phase (P ≤ .05).

Conclusions and clinical importance: Cannabidiol decreased total seizures and seizure days compared to placebo when administered to dogs PO at 9 mg/kg/day. Liver enzymes should be monitored with administration of CBD in dogs.

Keywords: CBD; canine; cannabis; epileptic; seizures.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

REFERENCES

    1. Berendt M, Farquhar RG, Mandigers PJ, et al. International veterinary epilepsy task force consensus report on epilepsy definition, classification and terminology in companion animals. BMC Vet Res. 2015;11:182.
    1. Monteiro R, Adams V, Keys D, Platt SR. Canine idiopathic epilepsy: prevalence, risk factors and outcome associated with cluster seizures and status epilepticus. J Small Anim Pract. 2012 Sep;53(9):526-530.
    1. Wessmann A, Volk HA, Parkin T, Ortega M, Anderson TJ. Evaluation of quality of life in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. J Vet Intern Med. 2014;28:510-514.
    1. Berendt M, Gredal H, Ersbøll AK, Alving J. Premature death, risk factors, and life patterns in dogs with epilepsy. J Vet Intern Med. 2007;21(4):754-759.
    1. Podell M, Volk HA, Berendt M, et al. 2015 ACVIM small animal consensus statement on seizure management in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2016;30(2):477-490.

LinkOut – more resources

Leave a Reply