CBD Clinical Research
CBD Clinical Research: 3 Published University Trials
ABSC Organics is the only pet CBD brand in the United States that has sponsored and completed multiple clinical trials at a major veterinary research university. Our product has been tested at the Colorado State University (CSU) College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, one of the top veterinary programs in the country. These trials were not small, informal studies. They were randomized, placebo-controlled, and published in peer-reviewed veterinary journals.
Here is what the research found.
Trial 1: CBD for Epilepsy and Seizures in Dogs
This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial studying dogs with intractable epilepsy, meaning dogs that were still having seizures despite being on traditional anticonvulsant medications.
The results were significant: 89% of dogs receiving CBD showed a reduction in seizure frequency. The dogs in the CBD group experienced a median 33% reduction in seizure frequency compared to the placebo group. All dogs in the study continued their existing seizure medications, so the CBD was used as an add-on therapy.
No serious adverse effects were reported. Some dogs showed a mild elevation in the liver enzyme ALP, which is commonly monitored during CBD use and was not clinically significant in this trial.
For pet owners dealing with canine epilepsy, this study confirmed what many had reported anecdotally: CBD oil can meaningfully reduce seizure frequency when used alongside conventional treatment.
Trial 2: CBD for Osteoarthritis Pain in Dogs
This pilot study evaluated CBD oil for naturally occurring osteoarthritis-associated pain in dogs. The study used objective gait analysis (force plate measurements) along with veterinary assessments and owner questionnaires to measure changes in mobility and pain.
Dogs receiving CBD oil showed measurable improvement in mobility and pain scores. Veterinarian assessments and owner observations both pointed in the same direction: dogs moved better and appeared more comfortable. The study noted that despite its small sample size, the results were promising enough to support larger follow-up trials.
This matters because osteoarthritis affects an estimated 20% of dogs over one year of age and up to 80% of dogs over eight. NSAIDs carry risks of kidney and liver damage with long-term use, so a well-tolerated plant-based option backed by clinical data gives pet owners a real alternative to discuss with their veterinarian.
Trial 3: Pharmacokinetics and Safety Assessment
Before testing whether CBD works for specific conditions, you first need to know that it is safe and that dogs actually absorb it. That is what this pharmacokinetics study established.
The trial tested three delivery methods: CBD-infused oil, CBD capsules, and a CBD-infused topical cream. The oral oil form (which is what ABSC Organics sells) showed the highest systemic absorption and the most favorable pharmacokinetic profile. This means dogs absorb CBD most effectively when it is given as an oral oil, not as a capsule or cream.
The study also confirmed that CBD at the tested doses was well-tolerated with no adverse clinical signs. Dogs did not exhibit lethargy, gastrointestinal distress, or behavioral changes at standard dosing levels. A mild elevation in ALP (alkaline phosphatase) was noted, which has since become a standard monitoring point for veterinarians recommending CBD.
These pharmacokinetic findings are the foundation of ABSC’s dosing guidelines. When we recommend a specific number of drops per pound of body weight, that recommendation traces back directly to this study’s data on absorption rates and blood concentration curves.
The American Kennel Club Drug-Resistant Epilepsy Study
In addition to the three CSU-published trials, ABSC is the exclusive supplier of CBD oil to the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation (AKC CHF) for their ongoing study on drug-resistant epilepsy. This study investigates whether CBD can help the roughly 30% of epileptic dogs that do not respond adequately to conventional anticonvulsant medications alone.
Our Research Partners
Stephanie McGrath, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology) is an Associate Professor at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. She is the lead researcher on all three published clinical trials using ABSC Organics CBD oil. Board-certified in veterinary neurology and neurosurgery, Dr. McGrath specializes in seizure disorders, inflammatory brain disease, and spinal cord injury.
Alan Shackelford, MD is one of the nation’s leading medical experts on the therapeutic use of hemp-derived compounds. Based in Denver, Colorado, he advises companies, agencies, and governments worldwide. Dr. Shackelford completed his post-graduate medical training at the major teaching hospitals of Harvard Medical School, including three fellowships.
Why This Research Matters for Your Pet
The pet CBD market is full of products that have never been tested in a clinical setting. Most brands rely on testimonials alone, and many cannot tell you exactly what is in their product or how it will affect your animal.
ABSC Organics is different. Our CBD oil is the exact compound used in three published, peer-reviewed clinical trials at one of the country’s top veterinary schools. When your veterinarian looks at the data behind our product, they will find real published science, not marketing claims.
That is why veterinarians at CSU’s own veterinary hospital have recommended ABSC Organics to pet owners. The research speaks for itself.
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The Research Speaks for Itself
The only pet CBD brand backed by 3 published, peer-reviewed clinical trials at Colorado State University.
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