Arthritis is essentially an inflammatory disease of the joints. Inflammation is when a part of the body experiences swelling and increased blood flow to initiate healing in the affected area. However, chronic inflammation can eventually have negative effects on a dog’s body. The most common form of arthritis is canine osteoarthritis (OA). Galliprant is a kind of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is highly effective in treating canine osteoarthritis. When paired with a cannabis extract known as cannabidiol (CBD), both the symptoms and underlying conditions of Arthritis can be properly managed. CBD taken for arthritis is well tolerated in dogs and has numerous other benefits besides just treating canine osteoarthritis.
What Is Galliprant For Dogs?
In May of 2018 the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new drug known as Galliprant. It is used to treat canine osteoarthritis and has shown tremendous potential to be effective with fewer side effects than other conventional therapies.
What is Canine Osteoarthritis?
Canine osteoarthritis is an unfortunately common condition. Some estimates state that it affects up to 1 in 4 dogs in the United States alone. Furthermore, there are approximately 90 million dogs in the country, meaning that about 22 million dogs suffer from the condition. Canine osteoarthritis is also sometimes referred to as degenerative joint disease (DJD). Symptoms of these conditions can reduce mobility and cause discomfort in your furry friend.
The Most Common Symptoms Of Canine Osteoarthritis Include:
- Stiffness
- Limping
- Getting up and/or laying down slowly or awkwardly
- Reluctance and/or inability to walk and jump
- Pain and discomfort (which dogs exhibit by excessively panting)
- Excessively sleeping
Canine osteoarthritis is an inflammatory disease. Inflammation in the mammalian body is a response to some form of trauma or distress. It causes pain, stiffness, tenderness, and/or swelling. All the blood vessels in the affected area dilate (get bigger). This causes increased blood flow to the area. The mammalian body does this to deliver more cytokines (communication cells that trigger an immune response) to the affected areas. This response occurs because the biofeedback mechanisms in the mammalian body determine that there is some trauma or distress present there.
Inflammation can occur anywhere in the mammalian body. If the inflammation is chronic, this is usually as a result of some underlying condition (like osteoarthritis). Chronic inflammation damages cells. This eventually causes serious medical complications, including various forms of osteoarthritis.
How Does Galliprant Work For Arthritis In Dogs?
It is useful to know that there are two basic types of compounds that interact with receptors in the mammalian body:
- Agonists. These bind with a receptor and cause an increased response.
- Antagonists. These bind with a receptor and dampen or decrease a response (also referred to as blockers).
Galliprant is the market name for grapiprant. This compound is a prostaglandin receptor antagonist (PRA). This just means that it is a compound that interferes with prostaglandin receptors. The prostaglandin receptor in canines that is responsible for osteoarthritic pain and inflammation is known as the EP4 receptor. That means that Galliprant specifically targets EP4 receptors and inhibits their ability to cause pain and inflammation in the dog’s joints.
What Are NSAIDs For Dogs?
The two primary treatments for canine osteoarthritis are steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Steroids have anti-inflammatory effects. However, they may contribute to the development of canine diabetes, liver inflammation, and immune suppression. They may also cause the dog to develop Cushing’s disease, which is when there is an excess of the hormone cortisol in the dog’s body. This results in a wide range of serious symptoms including muscle weakness, infertility, and urinary problems.
NSAIDS work in the mammalian body by inhibiting what are known as prostaglandins. There are various NSAIDS that are specific to dogs, including Rimadyl, Deramaxx, EtoGesic, Metacam, Previcox, and Feldene. These are highly effective at treating both inflammation and pain, but many dogs may have unpredictable reactions to them and their potential side effects are very serious.
Side Effects Of NSAIDs Include
- Serious gastrointestinal distress (diarrhea and vomiting)
- Stomach ulcers can become irritated and cause internal hemorrhaging
- Serious weight loss
- Irreversible liver and kidney damage
- Dehydration and urinary problems
- Seizures
- Aggressive behavior
- Abdominal pain
- Death from organ failure
Although Galliprant is a kind of NSAID, it has far fewer side effects. This is because it has a more precise mechanism and it specifically targets the EP4 receptors.
Galliprant Side Effects Dogs
There are some side effects of Galliprant, including:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Watery, mucoid, and/or bloody stools
- Decreases in blood proteins (known as serum albumin)
In the case of conventional canine NSAIDS, certain side effects are irreversible. These include potential liver and kidney damage. In some cases, the dogs may even die due to organ failure. CBD is also safe to use on a daily basis.
CBD Versus Galliprant
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of many extracts from the cannabis plant. It is part of a group of compounds known as cannabinoids. The cannabis plant has approximately 80 of these compounds that occur naturally within it.
Benefits Of CBD Oil For Dogs:
- Reduces discomforts, with no potential side effects
- Reducing nausea and/or vomiting
- Reducing gastrointestinal distress, including diarrhea
- Treating restlessness, agitation, and/or anxiety in dogs
- Allowing the dog to get healthy sleep
- Reducing muscle spasms and/or tremors
- Increasing cardiovascular health (improving levels of “good” fat in the mammalian body)
- Reducing inflammation all over the body
- Decreasing the risk of diabetes by maintaining healthy blood sugar levels
CBD Oil is most useful in treating canine osteoarthritis due to its ability to decrease levels of pain and inflammation. The mammalian body has a network of receptors known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS governs inflammation.
Cannabinoid receptors are located all over the mammalian body and are primarily responsible for modulating inflammation. CBD decreases inflammation by regulating the compounds that bind to these receptors. CBD also stimulates the natural cannabinoids in the mammalian body. These are known as endocannabinoids. All of these effects help the ECS maintain a balanced and healthy state of functioning.
There is a type of receptor closely related to cannabinoid receptors known as TRPV1 receptors. These are located primarily in the peripheral nervous system within pain receptors. CBD also interacts with these TRPV1 receptors, effectively keeping pain and inflammation levels low all over the body. This includes the joints that are so seriously affected by osteoarthritis.
CBD can act as an effective complement to a medication regimen that includes Galliprant. Because of its incredible efficacy in treating osteoarthritis, as well as its wide range of benefits for a variety of ailments, introducing a daily dose of CBD will improve the quality of life for any dog.
Can CBD Be Used With Galliprant?
It is important to administer CBD under veterinary supervision. This is because it inhibits the function of a certain liver enzyme known as cytochrome P450. These particular enzymes are absolutely vital in the metabolism of nearly 60% of all veterinary medications. However, most veterinarians agree that CBD is safely and effectively taken with Galliprant to treat osteoarthritis.
First off, make sure to choose CBD products made for pets. Also, choose products that have clearly marked dosage amounts. It is generally impossible to overdose on CBD, but it is still best to administer the medication in a measured and responsible manner.
The rule of thumb that most veterinarians follow when determining CBD dosage amounts is to “go low and go slow”. The owner should start at a low dose and incrementally increase it until they achieve the desired result. CBD, like Galliprant, is also most effective when administered daily. For a medium-sized dog (40 to 60 pounds), it is best to start at 2 to 4 milligrams once or twice a day. If your pet requires additional relief from the symptoms of osteoarthritis, increase the dosage by in 2-milligram increments at a time.
RECOMMENDED: See Our Pet CBD Dosing Chart Guide Here!
CBD will make a huge difference in a dog’s quality of life. It promotes overall health and wellness with generally no side effects. CBD oil is administered as a tincture, available in 150, 300, or 600 milligram bottles. There are also CBD doggie treats that can be used to reward a dog for good behavior or as a training tool. CBD is safe, natural, and extremely effective. While you're here, why not learn about more home remedies for dogs or browse our website here.
References
https://cannabissupplementsforpets.com/cbd-for-dogs-with-arthritis/
https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/evr_dg_remedies_for_arthritis_in_dogs
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