We sponsor Clinical Research.
ABSC Organics is founded on the importance of science and research.
ABSC Organics believes in our product and in the power of CBD to improve your pet’s wellness and quality of life. But we know there’s a difference between belief and proof—between anecdotal stories and clinical evidence. We care about that difference, and we care about pets. As a veterinary CBD company, we have sponsored three, major clinical trials at the nation’s leading veterinary research institution. Want to learn more? We’ve got the ultimate guide to veterinary CBD oil research right here.
CBD Research for Pets —What does the Research Say?
Currently, ABSC has sponsored 3 clinical trials at major veterinary research institutions:
- Phase 1 Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Toxicity Trial at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Showed that CBD is most efficiently delivered in the form of oral oil, and that CBD is safe and well tolerated in dogs.1
- Phase 2 Epilepsy Trial at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Showed that dogs with idiopathic epilepsy who receive treatment with CBD oil have an 89% reduction in seizure frequency.2
- Phase 2 Osteoarthritis Trial at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Results are pending and await publication.3
CBD Research for Pets —What do I need to know about clinical trials?
Phase 1 CBD clinical trial—IS IT SAFE?
When it comes to clinical research, Phase 1 is the beginning of the clinical trial process. A Phase 1 trial attempts to determine if a treatment is safe. This is the first step before moving on to determine if the treatment works for a given condition or illness.
ABSC Organics sponsored the first Phase 1 Trial for veterinary CBD use in 2016.
With ABSC sponsorship, Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences took the lead in veterinary CBD research in 2016. Using our product, Dr. Stephanie McGrath and her team at CSU investigated the safety of specified combinations and delivery methods of our hemp-hybrid oil extract in dogs. The results confirmed that dogs tolerated clinical doses of the compound found in ABSC Pure Organic CBD Oil™ without adverse effects.1 These results were presented at the Institute of Cannabis Research Conference at CSU-Pueblo on April 29, 2017, and were published in the Fall 2018 issue of the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.
Phase 1 Study Also Shows that CBD Oil is the most effective delivery method.
In addition to proving that dogs could tolerate large doses of CBD with minimal side effects, another part of that Phase 1 study looked at delivery methods. The researchers tested three methods: oral micro-encapsulated oil beads, oral CBD-infused oil, and CBD-infused transdermal cream.6
According to results published the July 2018 issue of the Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, “higher systemic exposures were observed with the oral CBD-infused oil formulation….and the oral CBD-infused oil provides the most favorable pharmacokinetic profile.”7 The CBD-infused oil used in the study was the same oil in every bottle of ABSC Organics Pure CBD Oil™.8
Phase 2 CBD Clinical Trial—Pilot Epilepsy Study
Once a Phase 1 trial has determined that a treatment is safe, researchers can begin with Phase 2 trials to look at efficacy. In other words, a Phase 2 trial seeks to answer the question: Does this treatment work? After the successful conclusion of the Phase 1 safety trial, Dr. McGrath and her colleagues at CSU launched a Phase 2 trial to study the use of CBD oil in dogs with epilepsy.
For this pilot epilepsy study, researchers initially enrolled twenty six dogs with intractable idiopathic epilepsy. After exclusions, sixteen dogs completed the 12-week double-blind trial. Dogs were randomly assigned to a CBD group or placebo group, with the CBD group receiving ABSC’s CBD-infused oil twice daily for 12 weeks while continuing their existing anti-epileptic treatments. The placebo group received oil without CBD, and also continued their existing medications. All other parameters were consistent for both groups.
Dr. McGrath and her colleagues at CSU compared seizure activity, adverse effects, and plasma CBD concentrations over the course of the twelve weeks, and found that 89% of the dogs in the CBD group saw a reduction in seizure frequency. Researchers also found a strong correlation between plasma (blood) CBD concentration and reduced seizure frequency.2 Results from this study were published in the June 1, 2019 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Association.2
Based on the exciting results from the pilot study at CSU, the American Kennel Club’s Canine Health Foundation has sponsored a larger study with Dr. McGrath to further study the effects of Cannabidiol on canine epilepsy.11
Phase 2 CBD Clinical Trials—Osteoarthritis
Researchers at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences are working on a Phase 2 osteoarthritis trial—results from that trial are pending and should be published soon.13
CBD Oil for Dogs and Cats—Clinical Trial FAQs
It seems like everyone is pushing CBD oil these days. Why haven’t more clinical trials been completed?
CBD shows great promise in treating humans and animals for a diverse array of conditions. And yet, research is limited due to regulatory confusion and questions of legality. Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences took an early position that the 2014 Farm Bill legalized CBD as a product of industrial hemp, and began research soon after. Subsequent legislation in 2018 solidified this position, although regulations differ from state to state.
The CBD oil trials look very promising—I want to try CBD with my pet. Can I assume that any CBD oil I buy will give similar results to those seen in the studies?
You absolutely CANNOT assume that all CBD oils on the market will deliver similar results. Some may be full spectrum (includes all components of the cannabis plant, including THC), others may be broad spectrum (includes a broad array of terpenes and cannabinoids, but excludes THC), while still others may be CBD isolate (includes only cannabidiol). In addition, lack of FDA regulation means that unscrupulous operators may be selling product that doesn’t contain the CBD concentration they are advertising. It’s important to choose your brand wisely, look for a Certificate of Analysis, and trust the brand that researchers have trusted for their studies.
The study summaries show that no major or concerning side effects were noted. Did the dogs who participated in the studies experience any side effects?
Like any treatment, CBD can give mild side effects, depending on the pet and the dose. Some dogs in the clinical trials showed minor diarrhea, while others showed slightly elevated alkaline phosphate levels that could be related to treatment. None of these effects were classified as severe or worrisome by the researchers.
Ultimate Guide to CBD Research for Pets —Notes, Sources and Citations
- McGrath, S., & Bartner, L.R., & Rao, S., & Kogan, L.R., & Hellyer, P.W. (2018) A Report of Adverse Effects Associated With the Administration of Cannabidiol in Healthy Dogs. Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, Fall 2018, 34-38.
- McGrath, S., & Bartner, L.R., & Rao, S., & Packer, R.A., & Gustafson, D.L. (2018) Randomized Blinded Controlled Clinical Trial to Assess the Effect of Oral Cannabidiol Administration in Addition to Conventional Antiepileptic Treatment on Seizure Frequency in Dogs with Intractable Idiopathic Epilepsy. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 254(11), 1301-1308.
- Learn more at http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/vth/veterinarians/clinical-trials/Pages/efficacy-of-cannabidiol-for-the-treatment-of-osteoarthritis-in-dogs.aspx
- Learn more at https://research.vetmed.ufl.edu/clinical-trials/small-animal/a-pilot-study-to-determine-the-safety-and-efficacy-of-cbd-oil-use-during-chemotherapy-in-dogs-with-lymphoma/
- Bartner, L.R., & McGrath, S., & Rao, S., & Hyatt, L.K., & Wittenburg, L.A. (2018) Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol Administered by 3 Delivery Methods at 2 Different Dosages to Healthy Dogs. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 2018 (82), 178–183.
- Bartner, L.R., & McGrath, S., & Rao, S., & Hyatt, L.K., & Wittenburg, L.A. (2018) Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol Administered by 3 Delivery Methods at 2 Different Dosages to Healthy Dogs. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 2018 (82), 178–183.
- ABSC Organics was previously known as Applied Basic Science Corp. ABSC Organics Pure CBD Oil™ was previously known as C.H.O. Pet Tincture.
- Learn more at https://research.vetmed.ufl.edu/clinical-trials/small-animal/a-pilot-study-to-determine-the-safety-and-efficacy-of-cbd-oil-use-during-chemotherapy-in-dogs-with-lymphoma/
- McGrath, S., & Bartner, L.R., & Rao, S., & Packer, R.A., & Gustafson, D.L. (2018) Randomized Blinded Controlled Clinical Trial to Assess the Effect of Oral Cannabidiol Administration in Addition to Conventional Antiepileptic Treatment on Seizure Frequency in Dogs with Intractable Idiopathic Epilepsy. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 254(11), 1301-1308.
- Learn more at http://www.akcchf.org/research/participate-in-research/Efficacy-of-cannabidiol-for-the-treatment-of-canine-epilepsy.html
- Learn more at http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/vth/veterinarians/clinical-trials/Pages/efficacy-of-cannabidiol-for-the-treatment-of-osteoarthritis-in-dogs.aspx
Read about the studies conducted at Colorado State University as part of our focus to sponsor CBD research for pets.
