Sammy, our oldest Lab, turned 13 on May 10. For some years he has had lipomas, masses, thankfully benign, but they don't seem to bother him. It's age. Oh isn't it.
I flew to Missouri then took a train to Illinois when he was just 4 months old to get him. The woman who had him just needed to find him a home and even though we already had Sophie and Fergus, what would one more Lab be. We started obedience and then agility. He was fantastic but his anxiety was overwhelming and we had to stop. Just being home with me and the pack suited him just fine.
He was a swimmer and constantly in the pool , with or without us. He sat for long spells on the step in the deep end just "thinking". Our vet said that his being in the pool and swimming has helped his flexibility in his paws and joints but now I'm seeing his hind legs having a bit of trouble.
There's a weakness on his left rear leg and he wasn't able to get up on the couch or chair without a boost and the stairs to the coach were a challenge. "Come on Sam, you can do it!!!" is the cheer from the top and he comes in. Roger takes him and Ozzie on long slow walks, Sammy's choice, then he comes back and sleeps.
Sammy and Ozzie
As you may know I have pain from osteoarthritis in my hip. Probably the long slide down our attic stairs years ago then standing on said leg for years as I painted. What you may not know is I am a "researcher" . As soon as I hear something I need to read all about it on google, so when I heard about the benefits of CBD oil for humans, I started to read everything I could find. People have used herbs for centuries all over the world for pain and ailments so why would this be different?
From healthline.com This gives you a quick reference. I also will add the only side effect that I have felt has been dry mouth. Yes I did purchase a bottle starting low at 250mg. and bought Pure kana, vanilla. The first week was one drop in the morning and one at night. Every article that I read said to start slow so you can find that "sweet spot" and the pain diminishes. Second week I did two drops but near the end of that week I did three. I started to feel a difference. I slept through the night with no annoying hip burning or shoulder pain. (Oh ya, that started too) That night I woke about 2 A.M. and felt like I did in my 20's. I got so giddy I tossed and turned like a fish just because I could. (felt it the next day..silly me)
Back to Sammy! So if CBD oil is helping me and, yes, Roger, what could it do for our Sam. He was sitting panting most of the day except when he slept. Was he in pain? Should I call our Vet? Sammy is the first one out the door on walks and he still is fighting to be active, would CBD oil for pets help?
Back to Google!! Read a zillion reviews on every oil for pets. I'm a "you pay for what you get" person, poor Roger, but it seems like in this area it's true. I had read people went from oil to oil trying to find the best one for themselves and my thought was, buy the best for what you need it for and it should be fine.
This is what I bought for Sam. Sammy's Oil It's 300 mg full spectrum, Hemp extract, 100% natural and no preservatives. Let me also add there is no THC in the product so Sammy never gets high. That's the joy of CBD oils.
https://pethealthcbd.com/product/cbd-muscle-and-joint-tincture/
I am so not a math person so I have to go on "reaction" . The first day I gave Sam one drop in his food in the morning then one drop at dinner. I did this for a week as I did mine. His panting continued. The second week I started two drops. Third week, three and at the end of the week, 4. That night he wasn't panting and he was sitting up on the couch alert and watching every move. (We were having dinner...lol) I have settled on 4 drops in the morning and 5 at night since he's been out on long walks three times during the day, consisting of hills. He's getting up on the couch with ease and the chair. Before he had to try and get one back leg up high enough to boost himself, or one of us would help, but now it's two paws on the seat and a hop with both back legs coming up.
I'm sure some dogs as they age start to give up just like people, but Sammy is a fighter. He loves traveling and sniffing every ounce of where we stop, sigh, not complaining but it takes him forever. Just a true love of living. (Ok, now there's a life lesson for me right there...)
I'll keep watching to see if the drops need to be adjusted but right now they seem to be doing just fine. Our bottle says "Muscle and Joint" but from everything I read it does help where it's needed.
I hope this blog has been informative and I'll keep you posted on Sammy's journey. For me? The oil is fantastic. Pharmaceutical medicines and I don't mesh well at all as I get horrid side effects, so this is perfect for me!
Keep me posted if you decide to go this route with your pets. I'd love to hear how it's working for them!
Warmly,
Sheila
