# Randomized and Blind Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Full-Spectrum Oral Cannabis sativa Oil Extract, Standardized Based on CBD-A, CBD and THC-A, THC in Canines with Chronic Osteoarthritis

## TL;DR

A clinical study found that a full-spectrum Cannabis sativa oil extract safely reduced pain in dogs with chronic osteoarthritis.

## Contribution

This is the first randomized, double-blind trial evaluating oral Cannabis sativa oil extract for canine osteoarthritis pain.

## Key findings

- Dogs receiving Cannabis extract showed a 39.6% reduction in pain scores compared to 24.7% in the Placebo group.
- 55.5% of Cannabis-treated dogs improved one stage in osteoarthritis severity, with no changes in other groups.
- No adverse effects were observed in the Cannabis group during the six-week study.

## Abstract

This clinical study evaluated the safety and efficacy of a full-spectrum Cannabis sativa oil extract for managing chronic osteoarthritis (COA) pain in dogs. Over six weeks, dogs were randomly assigned to Cannabis, Placebo, or Control groups. The Cannabis extract, containing Cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), and Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), was administered orally in a dose escalation protocol up to 2 mg/kg. Pain and clinical progression were assessed using the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) and the Canine Osteosteoarthritis Staging Tool (COAST). Results showed an important reduction in CBPI scores in the Cannabis group, compared to the Placebo group, and a slight increase in the Control group. Additionally, more than 50% of dogs in the Cannabis group improved one stage on the COAST scale, with no changes in the other groups, with no adverse effects observed. These findings support the use of oral full-spectrum Cannabis oil as a safe and effective complementary therapy for improving pain and quality of life in dogs with COA.

Chronic osteoarthritis (COA) is a progressive and degenerative condition that causes joint inflammation and pain, often requiring long-term pharmacological management. Conventional treatments may lead to adverse effects, tolerance, and limited analgesic efficacy. This randomized, double-blind clinical trial evaluated the analgesic potential of a full-spectrum Cannabis sativa oil extract administered orally twice daily over six weeks in dogs with COA. Subjects were assigned to three groups: Cannabis, Placebo, and Control. Pain was assessed using the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) and the Canine Osteoarthritis Staging Tool (COAST), which ranges from 0 to 4. The Cannabis extract (46.4 mg/mL) total cannabinoids: Cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), and Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), were administered using a cautious dose escalation protocol. Treatment began at ~0.1 mg/kg every 12 h, increasing by one drop (1.16 mg) every 72 h. This gradual titration continued until reaching the maximum tolerated dose (2 mg/kg every 12 h), which was maintained for the final two weeks. The protocol was designed to minimize adverse effects and allow close monitoring, especially in geriatric or clinically fragile dogs. By day 28, when the DMT was reached, the Cannabis group showed a 39.6% reduction in CBPI scores, compared to 24.7% in the Placebo group and a 1.6% increase in the Control group. COAST scores improved from level 4 to level 3 in 55.5% of dogs in the Cannabis group, with no changes observed in the other groups. We hypothesize that the co-administration of carprofen, meloxicam, or pregabalin with a full-spectrum Cannabis sativa extract—rich in acidic cannabinoids and terpenes—enhances pain relief and mobility in dogs with COA more effectively than conventional therapies alone. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of an oily full-spectrum Cannabis sativa extract as an adjunctive treatment to NSAIDs in twenty-seven dogs diagnosed with COA, and to compare pain intensity across three treatments groups.