As veterinary professionals, you understand the devastation that comes with a cancer diagnosis in dogs.
Just as in humans, cancer treatments for dogs can vary widely.
Below, we delve into how natural therapies, such as CBD oil, can be integrated as a supplementary therapy for your canine patients with cancer and the current research supporting the use of CBD for cancer symptoms in animals.
Cancer in Dogs
Cancer is relatively common in dogs, particularly in their senior years. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), one in four dogs will develop cancer at some point in their lives, and 50% of pets over the age of 10 will develop cancer.
Common cancers in dogs include malignant lymphoma, mast cell tumours, mammary gland tumours, soft tissue sarcomas, and bone cancer.
There are typically three primary approaches to treating cancer in dogs: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. The choice of treatment depends on the type of cancer, its location, and the stage of the disease.
Research is continuously uncovering more about how to effectively treat cancer in animals.
While there is currently no definitive “cure”, numerous effective therapies are available, and natural therapies, such as CBD oil, can serve a role in cancer treatment.
CBD may help alleviate cancer symptoms, act as an adjunct to conventional medication, or provide an alternative when conventional methods fail.
Research on CBD for cancer symptoms
Research has demonstrated that CBD can address inflammation and pain—two prevalent symptoms in cancer patients.
It concluded that CBD can be an effective treatment for general chronic pain in animals and that CBD may also reduce inflammation.
A review on cannabinoids in pain modulation highlighted that cannabinoids, including CBD, can be used in veterinary medicine to treat acute, chronic, and neuropathic pain.
A meta-analysis found that CBD reduces pain scores in dogs with osteoarthritis and has potential as part of multimodal therapy for animals in pain. An article in Science Direct supports the evidence that chronic osteoarthritic pain in dogs can be mitigated with CBD supplementation.
Regarding nausea and vomiting, common chemotherapy side effects, CBD may also have a role to play.It has also been found to act as an appetite stimulant.
Can CBD Help Slow the Spread of Cancer Cells?
CBD is being studied for its potential to slow cancer cell growth and enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs.
Studies from 2012 and 2013 found that CBD increases endocannabinoid levels, exerts chemopreventive effects in vivo, and reduces cell proliferation through multiple mechanisms.
Another 2012 study showed that CBD, combined with cytotoxic agents, enhances drug uptake and potentiates cytotoxic activity in human glioma cells.
More recently, a 2024 study demonstrated the anti-cancer effects of CBD and ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in canine and human lymphoma cell lines, suggesting that CBD is potent in reducing lymphoma cell viability. It suggests that future studies should use CBD for further cannabinoid testing as it might reduce the tumour burden in malignant non-Hodgkin lymphoma cells of canines.
While more research is needed to assess the role of CBD in slowing the growth of cancer cells, it is worth considering how CBD can be used as an adjunct therapy and non-toxic cancer management tool for dogs.
Cancer Treatment Plans to Manage Symptoms with CBD
As veterinary professionals, you can develop a tailored treatment plan and CBD dosing schedule for your canine patients with cancer.
The recommended approach for dosing CBD is to “start low and go slow.” CBD has a biphasic dosing curve, meaning there is an optimal dosage range beyond which the benefits diminish.
Careful monitoring is essential, and for sensitive patients, it is advisable to titrate the dose slower. In cases of severe pain or palliative care, the titration may be accelerated.
Regular weekly check-ins are recommended to monitor progress, as it can take up to two weeks for CB receptors to up-regulate and for the dog to show symptom improvement.
If you are looking to incorporate CBD into your cancer treatment protocols for dogs, reach out to CBD Vets Australia who can provide further education on the best treatment plan and dosing protocol. You can register with them to then start prescribing CBD for your pet patients.
