The effect of cannabidiol on canine neoplastic cell proliferation and mitogen-activated protein kina

Dated: November 28, 2020

1. The objectives of this study was to explore the anti-proliferative and cell death response associated with in vitro treatment of canine cancer cell lines with CBD alone and combination with common chemotherapeutics, as well as investigation into major proliferative pathways (eg, p38, JNK, AKT and mTOR) potentially involved in the response to treatment with CBD.

2. Five established canine neoplastic cell lines were obtained and used for all experiments; a cell line of epithelial mammary gland carcinoma cell line—CMT12 (provided by Dr Curtis Byrd), a B cell lymphoma lineage—17-71 (provided by Dr Angela Wheeler), and three mesenchymal osteosarcoma lines HMPOS (provided by Dr Rodney Page), D17 (#CCL-183; ATCC, Manassas, Virginia) and Abrams (provided by Dr Angela Wheeler). All cell lines were deemed mycoplasma free by polymerase chain reaction from the Animal Health and Diagnostic Laboratory at Cornell University.

3. All statistical analysis regarding percent proliferating cells as measured by MTT assay and Annexin-FITC assay were performed using JMP Pro (v. 11.2.1; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, North Carolina).

4. CBD is effective at hindering cell proliferation and induction of autophagy and apoptosis rapidly across neoplastic cell lines and further clinical trials are needed to understand its efficacy and interactions with traditional chemotherapy. This study demonstrated the in vitro anti-neoplastic properties of CBD on five canine cancer cell lines representative of all three major cancer lineages when used as a single agent, as well as in combination with commonly utilized chemotherapeutics. Our results are in accordance with other cannabinoid based research and offers initial insights into this field of research in veterinary medicine. Pending additional research, CBD and other cannabinoids may be utilized as adjuvant therapy for canine cancer patients, but must take into account the current chemotherapeutic protocol with trepidation because of potential drug-drug interactions.

For further information: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33247539/

Hearing Fireworks? What You Can Do Today To Calm Your Pet

During the first week in July, all across the US, cats and dogs run away, hoping to never

hear and see those flashes and loud sounds again. They hate, loath, and disdain this

day. It’s a fun event for humans but hated by pets. There are a few solutions that will keep

your pet safe and hopefully a bit calmer.

SOLUTIONS:

1) Five to seven days before the 4th of July, provide a Safe spot for your pet to hide. This

can be a bed with blankets in a corner of a dark room, a crate in a bathroom or laundry

room covered with blankets, even under the bed. Make this Safe spot inviting by adding

a favored bed, blankets and spray lavender on stuffed animals. Introduce this area with treats several times a day so your pet will remember. Say “Let’s go to the Safe spot!” or “Safe spot” in a gentle reassuring voice and always with a smile. They will eventually understand if you are consistent. Make sure the curtains and blinds are closed in this room but always leave a light on so the pet will not see the flashes of fireworks.

2) Introduce CBD and other medications at least 5-7 days before the 4th of July.

Purchase CBD not from a big box store but from a reputable location online or in person

that specializes in pets. Many stores do not have quality control measures in place to

make sure that what you see online is what is delivered. Veterinarians

may not be able to answer your specific questions regarding dosage, or side effects

therefore purchase this product from a store that has access to veterinary professionals.

Many pet owners do not realize that lethargy is very common during the first week of

CBD administration. This can be frightening to the pet owner. It is perfectly safe and all

side effects should be provided to you when you receive the product.

3) A few days before the 4th of July, implement a practice run. Start the day with calm

music. Although your kids will be excited, their yelling is not calming to your pet. Make

sure the noise level inside the house is low and calming. Administer the CBD, place the

pet in the Safe spot and reassure the pet with soft a voice. Have a radio with classical

music in the room and place a water bowl next to the ‘Safe spot’ so your pet doesn't need to

venture out. This practice run is for the pet, so they feel more at ease with this routine on

July 4th. In addition, keep a few towels on the floor near the Safe spot in case they

understandably don’t want to use the doggy door.

A few more pearls of info: according to a 2015 poll taken by the Applied Animal

Behavior Science journal, which took into account 5,000 dog and cat owners:

• Dogs and cats are more afraid of fireworks than they are of gunshots.

• 20 percent of them showed “strong or very strong signs of being fearful” during fireworks and only 14% to gunshots.   

• Fear of loud noises increases with age. 

• Of the animals observed, 6 percent were injured on the 4th of July due to jumping out of windows and running into the street.

Exhibiting signs of fear can mean a wide range of things for different pets. For some, it

is shown through barking, pacing, scratching furniture, licking, and shaking. Some scared pets will bite pet owners. This behavior is 100% instinctual therefore keeping young children, friends and other family members away from the pets face during these interactions is very important. If pets want to cuddle let them approach you and keep your face away from their face. Loud fireworks can cause unexpected defecation, vocalization, urination, salivation, trembling, unfocused motor activity, and random destruction. It can take up to 4 hours for the body to return to normal after the threat is gone, which is why so many dogs continue to pant and panic after the fireworks end. Pets with heart disease have been known to experience heart attacks. These pets should not take CBD but instead discuss this concern with a veterinarian.

For specific concerns regarding CBD and your pet, go to the Learn about CBD section at WildLifeRx.com or leave your questions at hello@WildLifeRx.com. Questions will be

answered by a Licensed Veterinary Technician.

On the 4th of July, you’ve got this! Your pet and house are prepped. You pet will be scared but if you have done many of the suggestions, they will be considerably less.

Randomized Blinded Controlled Clinical Trial To assess The Effect of Oral Cannabidiol Administration

Randomized blinded controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of oral cannabidiol administration in addition to conventional antiepileptic treatment on seizure frequency in dogs with intractable idiopathic epilepsy - 2019

Stephanie McGrath, Lisa R Bartner, Sangeeta Rao, Rebecca A Packer, Daniel L Gustafson

The Objective was to assess the effect of oral cannabidiol (CBD) administration in addition to conventional antiepileptic treatment on seizure frequency in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy.

Design: Randomized blinded controlled clinical trial that used 26 client-owned dogs with intractable idiopathic epilepsy.

Procedures: Dogs were randomly assigned to a CBD (n = 12) or placebo (14) group. The CBD group received CBD-infused oil (2.5 mg/kg [1.1 mg/lb], PO) twice daily for 12 weeks in addition to existing antiepileptic treatments, and the placebo group received non infused oil. Seizure activity, adverse effects, and plasma CBD concentrations were compared between groups.

Results: Nine dogs in the CBD group and 7 in the placebo group were included in the analysis. Dogs in the CBD group had a significant (median change, 33%) reduction in seizure frequency, compared with the placebo group. However, the proportion of dogs considered responders to treatment (≥ 50% decrease in seizure activity) was similar between groups. Plasma CBD concentrations were correlated with reduction in seizure frequency. Dogs in the CBD group had a significant increase in serum alkaline phosphatase activity. No adverse behavioral effects were reported by owners.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: Although no adverse behavior effects were reported, serum alkaline phosphatase did increase. Although a significant reduction in seizure frequency was achieved for dogs in the CBD group the proportion of responders was similar between groups.

Citation: J Am Vet Med Association 2019 Jun 1;254(11):1301-1308. doi:10.2460/javma.254.11.1301.