Holistic Approach for Dogs with Autoimmune Diseases: What You Need to Know

Hypothyroidism, Allergies, Diabetes : these and so many of our dog and cat diseases have an autoimmune basis to them. In other words, your pet’s immune system is attacking itself.

Most of the conventional veterinary options are to suppress this overactive immune response, and NOT get to the underlying cause.

Many pet parents have had success with holistic products, and in particular the medicinal ingredients in the cannabis plant, especially CBD.

I do have a Natural, Whole Plant Extract CBD tincture for Dogs and Cats

It’s here:

Dr Jones’ ULTIMATE CBD for Dogs and Cats

Autoimmune disease covers a broad variety of disorders in pets that affect the immune system.

A dog’s/cats’ immune system is a network of white blood cells, antibodies, and other defenses in the body that fight off infections and foreign substances, including bacteria and viruses. Autoimmune diseases cause the immune system to attack the body’s own cells and tissue.

Some of the common conditions include these:

• AIHA (Immune mediated hemolytic anemia)
• ITP (thrombocytopenia)
• Polyarthritis
• Systemic Lupus, Discoid Lupus
• Hypothyroidism
• Allergies
• Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 and 2)

Conventional Veterinary Medicine offers few options.

Prednisone and other corticosteroids are the primary options, but come with a host of side effects.(Increased drinking, urination, eating, Cushings disease, Diabetes, immunosuppression)

Stronger immunosuppressives (ie chemotherapeutics such as cyclophosphamide) work, but come with even more side effects. Side effects include hair loss or changes in hair coat. More serious side effects include decreases in blood cell counts that may appear as infections, bleeding, or bruising, lack of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea, blood in the urine, depression, lung damage, difficulty breathing, dizziness, seizures, or tremors.

HOLISTIC OPTIONS

1. GREEN TEA – Green tea is a product of the dried leaves of Camellia sinensis and is used for treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as immune mediated polyarthritis. The catechin present in green tea possesses anti-inflammatory properties. The Green Tea EXTRACT in capsules is easiest to give, and provided the highest levels of EGCG. A typical dog dose is 1mg/lb twice daily.
2. LICORICE ROOT EXTRACT – LICORICE known as (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has shown immune-modulatory properties. It is used extensively for allergies, and is considered a ‘natural’ corticosteroid. Glycyrrhizin and glycyhrritinic acid are the active constituents which have antiinflammatory effects by inhibition of calcineurin activity and T-cell proliferation. Licorice Root dose for immune modulation is 1mg/lb twice daily- in a standard tincture bottle this would be 1/2ml per 20lbs twice daily. The alcohol tincture free tinctures may be better. If alcohol based, 1st add to hot water, evaporate the alcohol, then give.
3. ARTEMISININ – ARTEMISININ has been extensively used for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Artemesinin as well as its derivatives artesunate and artemether possess immune-modulatory effect. It is also known as ‘ Sweet Wormwood’, but has been documented for its use in Chinese Medicine thousands of years ago. A combination product called Artemix is favored by many holistic veterinarians- it contains artemisinin, artesunate and artemether. The dose is typically 1 milligram of per kg body weight per day. (2mg/lb). It is best to give it 3-4 hours after feeding to get best absorption.
4. REHMANNIA – This Chinese herb has shown promise in bringing balance to aggressive autoimmune states. Studies have shown that this herb possesses both immune-enhancing and immune-suppressant effects. Animal studies have shown it to be very safe with few side effects. A dog and cat starting dose of the tincture is 2mg/lb twice a day. A typical tincture dose is 1/4ml per 20lbs twice daily.
5. CBD (Cannabidiol) as a ‘natural’ immune modulator. CBD has been studied for it’s effects as an immune modulator… One study found that ‘CBD suppressed several immunological endpoints…Specifically, CBD suppressed cytokine production. CBD exhibits immunosuppressive properties. In particular, CBD decreased IL-8 and the chemokines MIP-1? and MIP-1? from a human B cell line… ‘ CBD should be considered if you have a dog or cat with an autoimmune disease. Dog and Cat starting dose is 3mg/10lbs twice daily.

P.S. I recently cracked a rib, and after trying strong conventional pain killers, muscle relaxants, I found I was getting far longer sustained pain control from the CBD. I started using it topically as well (with DMSO), and together that has worked very well for me.

P.P.S. If you have a dog or cat with an autoimmune disease (or a pet in pain), you should consider cannabidiol (CBD).

It is a whole plant extract meaning it has all the potentially helping cannabinoids that interact with each other to be beneficial, as well as using hemp seed oil as the carrier oil (often this can make it more effective)

You can get your bottle here:

Dr Jones’ ULTIMATE CBD for Dogs and Cats