Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with discoid lupus skin disease improves with cannabis oil
By da Silva, Maria Eduarda Schmitz et al.·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2024·Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Case report: Cannabinoid therapy for discoid lupus erythematosus in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old mixed-breed dog with discoid lupus erythematosus (a skin disease) was brought in because his skin lesions were getting worse despite treatment with corticosteroids, which also caused elevated liver enzymes. The veterinarian started the dog on cannabinoid therapy using a CBD-rich cannabis oil, adjusting the dosage until they found the right amount that worked. Within a few weeks, the dog's skin improved significantly, and his liver enzyme levels returned to normal. After a year on a low dose of the CBD oil, the dog remained stable with no signs of the skin disease coming back.
People also search for: dog discoid lupus treatment · CBD oil for dog skin problems · mixed-breed dog autoimmune disease therapy
Abstract
Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a common autoimmune skin disease in dogs. Conventional treatments, such as corticosteroids, can be effective but often have side effects. This case report presents a successful use of cannabinoid therapy (CT) in a dog with DLE resistant to conventional treatment. A 2-year-old mixed-breed dog with a history of DLE presented with worsening lesions despite treatment with corticosteroids and other medications. Liver enzymes levels were elevated, indicating corticosteroid-induced side effects. CT with a CBD-rich full spectrum Cannabis oil was initiated. The dosage was gradually adjusted until the minimum effective dose was found. Within a few weeks of starting CT, the dog showed significant improvement in skin lesions and in liver enzymes levels. After 1 year, the dog remains clinically stable on a low dose of full-spectrum CBD-rich oil. No evidence of DLE recurrence was observed. This case suggests that CT may be a viable alternative or complementary therapy for DLE in dogs, particularly for those experiencing adverse effects from conventional treatments. Further research is warranted to confirm the efficacy and safety of CT for DLE management in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38406630/