DOGS AND CLEVOR
WHEN YOUR DOG HAS INGESTED POISON OR HAS BLOCKAGE
Clever (ropinirole ophthalmic solution), is a prescription drug used to induce vomiting in dogs. It is used for example when a dog has eaten something poisonous or can’t pass something through his intestinal tract and has been approved by the FDA. Clevor is a dopamine agonist given by dops in the dog’s eye.
During a clinical field study, 95 percent of dogs treated with Clevor vomited within 30 minutes. Most dogs vomited after the first dose, 14% needed a second dose 20 minutes after the first dose.
Bad reactions were those most ommonly seen with drugs in the dopamine agonist class (tremors, letharthy, increased heart rate) and typically resolved within six hours after dosing. Some other drug-related effects include eye redness, involuntary blinking or spasms of the eye lid, eye discharge, eye swelling, visible third eyelid, drooping or falling of the upper eyelid, and corneal ulceration.
Human exposure to this drug may cause adverse reactions suc as headache, nausea, vomiting, dissiness, decrease in blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension), and you should seek medical attention if accidental exposure occurs. For more information on pet health go to https://www.vet.cornell.edu/.
CBD FOR DOGS IMPROVES ARTHRITIS
Researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine conducted the first scientific studies to find the potential therapeutic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) for arthritic pain in dogs. The researchers used dogs because canine arthritis closely mimics the characteristics of human arthritis.
The results were published in the journal PAIN and in The Journal of Immunology. The study first showed in laboratory tests and mouse models that CBD, a non-addictive product derived from hemp (cannabis), can significantly reduce the production of inflammatory molecules and immune cells associated with arthritis. Subsequently, this study showdd that in arthritic dogs, CBD treatment significantly improved the quality of life.
RESEARCH USING LARGE DOGS
The 20 large dogs in the study were assigned to one of four groups: a low dose, a high dose, a liposomal dose, and a placebo. The liposomal dose was included to see if the liposomes made the CBD more bioavailable. Liposomes are artificially formed tiny spherical sacs that are used to deliver drugs and other substances into the tissues at higher rates of absorption.
In the study the dogs took their assigned dose for four weeds. An evaluation was done by owners and the dogs’ veterinarians both at the start of the study and at the end. Neither owners nor veterinarians knew which treatment the individual dogs were getting.
CBD significantly decreased pain and increased mobility in a dose-dependent fashion among animals with an affirmative diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Liposomal CBD (20mg/day) was as effective as the highest dose of non-liposomal CBD (50 mg/day) in improving clinical outcomes, according to the study.
THE RESULTS
The dogs in the two upper-dose groups all showed increased mobility and comfort with decreased inflammation. Dogs that showed improvement held that improvement for a couple of weeks after the study ended.
The dogs’ complete blood count and blood indicators or liver and kidney function were evaluated before and after the four weeks of treatment. The researchers determined that the effect were quicker and more effective when CBD was delivered encapsulated in liposomes.
There were not any alterations found in the blood markers measured by the researchers, suggesting that, under the conditions of the study, the treatment seens to be safe.
CBD IS NOT PERFECT
CBD is not without some side effects. Some dogs will show elevations in liver enzymes and others may show gastrointestinal side effects such as vomiting or diarrhea. CBD may also interfere with the metabolism of other drugs. Since senior dogs tend to be the ones with arthritis, and many of those dogs will have other health issues, it is important to discuss using any CBD product with your veterinarian.
HELP IS ON IT’S WAY FOR DOG’S WITH DM
USING LASERS MAY HELP WITH DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY
Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a horrible, progressive disease of the spinal cord. A similar disease to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease, and there’s no way to stop the progressive loss of mobility. Eventually, it leads to respiratory failure.
A recent study published in Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery evaluated using laser therapy (photobiomodulation) in conjunction with traditional rehabilitation treatments to treat DM. This was a past study looking back at cases of dogs with DM who were treated with laser and rehabilitation techniques to see the outcomes with the combined therapy.
There were 20 dogs who had been referred to a rehabilitation specialty clinic met the criteria for the study. Two different laser protocols were used. According to reports, six patients were treated using 904nm, 0.5W/cm2 at the skin surface, 8J/cm2 per pint and, were assigned to the PTCL-A group. The other 14 patients were treated using 980nm, 1.2-2.4 W/cm2 at the PTCL-B group. Dogs in both groups received identical in-clinic rehabilitation therapy and at-home care instructions.
The protocol B dogs had greatly improved success when measured in terms of time from the onset of their symptoms to non-ambulatory paresis (NAP) or paralysis and for the onset of symptoms to euthanasia. The dogs with protocol A averaged close to nine months before NAP, while dogs on protocol B averaged almost 32 months. From onset to euthanasia, dogs treated with protocol B gained about 38 months, while with protocol A dogs added about 11 months.
The authors felt this was most likely due to the actions of the laser on the spinal cord in the dogs on protocol B. Obviously, more research needs to be done on this protocol, but any improvements for dogs with DM also may help people with ALS.
