How Does Hemp Oil Affect Dog Cancer?
As you have read in our previous blogs, hemp oil and cannabis oil both come from the same species, Cannabis sativa.
In prior articles, we talked about how hemp oil can help reduce separation anxiety and reduce joint pain associated with osteoarthritis.
Today, we’re going to share information about how hemp oil can help your dog with cancer.
Leading Cause of Death in Dogs
Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over 10 years old. And, one in two dogs will be diagnosed with some type of cancer in their lifetime. Luckily, many cancers can be treated if caught early. The sooner you find and treat the cancer, the better chance your dog has to fight it.
Dogs are prone to many of the same cancer types we are, but their cancers tend to spread at a much faster rate.
The most common types of cancer in dogs include:
What to Watch For: Cancer Signs
Dogs are known to hide their symptoms for as long as possible. Close observation and fully understanding your dog's normal behavior are critical in diagnosing cancer as early as possible. We will go through a few 'general' signs to watch for, though. The most common signs of cancer include:
- Pain: If your dog appears to be in pain (in any part of her body), it's worth a visit to the veterinarian. Your dog could simply be experiencing pain in her joints or some sort of minor condition, but we would want to help that as well to relieve her stress.
- Difficulty with 'peeing and/or pooping:' Sometimes, dogs who are going through various cancer types will have a hard time using the bathroom. If you notice any change in bathroom habits, give your veterinarian a call and explain what's going on.
- Lumps: A lump on your dog's body could simply be fatty tissue, but your veterinarian will likely want to grab a biopsy just to be sure. Even a pea-size lump should be checked out.
- Abnormal weight loss: If your dog's appetite is still the same but he just can't seem to keep weight on, this could be a big hint.
There are many other signs and symptoms of cancer if you do a bit of digging. The best advice here though is:
If you notice anything unusual in your dog (or your cat), schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to see what's going on.
The Magic of Hemp: Omega-6 and Omega-3
Hemp oil contains a healthy amount of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids which reduce chronic inflammation. In addition to reducing chronic inflammation, these fatty acids also support and boost the immune system.
Combining Hemp Oil with Traditional Treatments
We are not recommending hemp oil as a substitute for conventional medicine (and you should always discuss options with your veterinarian) but there are a growing number of dog lovers interested in combining both traditional and alternative medicine in today’s pet world.
Treatment options for cancer still include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, with some dog lovers adding hemp oil as an additional treatment.
Research has found cancer cells to be sensitive to the effects from the Cannabis sativa plant.
Supplementing with hemp oil has also shown to reduce the side effects (like nausea) from chemotherapy.
Continued Research and Learning
Hemp oil has been around for thousands of years, but we are now learning about all the medicinal benefits it has to offer. New research is being conducted every day with more benefits being discovered.
To read more about our hemp oil, and ask your veterinarian for their medical opinion, please click here. You’ll find all the information you need to know about our products on these pages.
Should you have any further questions (or your veterinarian have further questions), feel free to contact us.
We are here to help you and your furry family members.