Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Blog

Choosing the Right Products:

Dr Terry Fossum explained in the January 2025 Pet Summit on Anxiety that Cannabis is a soil remediator. This means that it pulls things from the soil like pesticides and heavy metals. She also advised there are “a lot of fraudulent products on the market.” These can be very dangerous to our dogs. What it says on the label is not necessarily what is in the bottle. And sometimes there is more THC than what is listed on the label.

Dr. Wakshlag led a study that evaluated 29 CBD products for pets and found heavy metal contaminations in four of the products. They found that two products had no cannabinoids in them at all. And 10 were measured to have a total cannabinoid concentration that was within 10% of the amount that was listed on their label.

If you and your veterinarian decide that you should try CBD as a treatment for your dog, there are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing CBD oil. The cannabis industry is unregulated and the quality and consistency of cannabis products can vary widely.Not all oils are the same; you’ll want high-quality CBD oil from a reputable manufacturer to have a better chance of it working. And remember it takes 2-4 weeks to see its full effects once you have reached a therapeutic dose.

When Choosing Cannabis Products for your Dog:

• Look for organic. If the CBD oil is not organic, it at least should not contain pesticides, fungicides, heavy metals or solvents.

• Remember you often get what you pay for. A cheaper option could contain toxic substances such as pesticides, herbicides, or heavy metals. Make sure your CBD oil is free of additives.

• Don’t buy anything that does not provide a third-party testing certification. The manufacturer should provide a certificate that certifies the amount of CBD that is in the product. Many CBD products contain only small amounts of CBD.

• Buy CBD as a liquid. This is the most accurate way to dose your dog. Start small and go slow. Monitor your dog for reactions and symptom relief. And be aware that Dr Fossum advises cannabis is better absorbed when given with a high fat meal.

Summary:

Cannabis has the potential to really assist us and our Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers in coping with a variety of health issues. This is largely due to the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which both humans and dogs have in common. The ECS is a complex network of molecules, receptors and signals that helps keep the body balanced and functioning well. Studies suggest that cannabinoids can be effective in treating conditions such as pain, anxiety, seizures, and inflammation, often with fewer side effects than traditional medications. Be aware that THC, the part of cannabis that causes a “high,” can be toxic to dogs because they have more CB1 receptors, which makes THC-free products essential.

If you’re thinking about using cannabis for your Wheatie, it’s absolutely vital to talk to your vet first and opt for high-quality, organic cannabis products that have been third-party tested. For the most part the cannabis industry is not regulated, and there are a lot of sketchy products out there that could do more harm than good. Getting the dosage right, keeping a close eye on your dog, and working with a professional are all crucial steps to ensure your pet’s safety and well-being. As research progresses we will learn more about cannabis-based treatments. This could offer new hope for dogs dealing with chronic or challenging health issues. Above all, your dog’s safety comes first—stay informed, ask questions, and always work with trusted veterinary professionals.

Additional Resources:

· CBD Vets Australia

· Veterinary Cannabis Consultations

· AVMA Cannabis in Veterinary Medicine 2023

· PetMD: CBD Oil for Dogs

· AKC: Does CBD Work for Dogs?

· CBD Dog Health: The ECS Explained

· Dr. Terry Fossum’s Cannabis Store

Cannabis Use In Dogs

Cannabis has been around for thousands of years. Since its legalization and decriminalization in many places, availability has increased, as has research associated with it. Studies show that many cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory properties, and can help with pain, tumors, seizures, muscle spasms, skin conditions, appetite stimulation, aggression, anxiety and neurological disorders.

Have you heard of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?

According to Dr. Joao Lourenco, who presented at the February 2025 Pet Summit on Dog Allergies, the endocannabinoid system was first discovered in the 1960s. More recently, the early 1990s, ESC receptors were isolated. This is still very new science but what they do know is the ESC regulates our immune system and provides balance and homeostasis within the body.

Understanding Cannabis:

There are different types of cannabinoids that work within the ECS and its receptors:

o Phytocannabinoids are a natural chemical found in cannabis derived from the hemp plant.

o Endocannabinoids are the molecules that are naturally within mammals and part of the ECS within our bodies and our dogs.

o Synthetic cannabinoids are a man-made product designed to act like natural cannabinoids within the body. These are toxic to dogs and need to be avoided.

Cannabis research is still new but scientists have discovered that it contains hundreds of different compounds. The two most well-known and studied are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is known for its psychoactive properties that cause a “high” in humans. CBD is non-psychoactive and is being studied for its therapeutic uses. Cannabinol (CBN) and Cannabigerol (CBG) are two additional cannabinoids that have therapeutic benefits and are being studied.

According to veterinarycannabis.org, there is something called the “Entourage Effect.” This is when products incorporate the 600 plus compounds of the entire cannabis plant. They advise it is safer and more therapeutic than products that just use a single or few compounds. They also mention that C02 and alcohol are the safest extraction techniques for products used in animals. Some extraction methods leave behind “toxic residual chemicals” in the final product. They recommend using tinctures for animals. This is cannabis in a liquid form. Edibles are discouraged as dosage is less accurate and there are generally more ingredients that can be harmful to dogs. The tincture should have a high-quality oil base with no additional ingredients. Dr. Andre and Dr. Gewehr are experts in their field and provide consultations, medical monitoring, and product reviews. Their link is below. If you are going to use cannabis for your dog please get professional guidance.

The ECS is a vast network of cellular receptors and chemical signals that operate throughout our body and brain. The ESC is said to be critical to almost all of our functioning. It regulates things within the body through a process involving immediate feedback. So systems in the body are adjusted up or down as needed, working to create balance and homeostasis. Dr. Casara Andre advised, while speaking at the February 2025 Dog Allergies Pet Summit, that the ESC learns and changes with the use of cannabis. So long term use is not always necessary.

An interesting point is that "cannabinoid" receptors in the brain — the CB1 receptors — outnumber many of the other receptor types in the brain. Our bodies produce molecules called endocannabinoids, which have a structural similarity to molecules in the cannabis plant. So us and our canine friends have little cannabis like molecules floating around in our brains.

One of the differences between dogs and humans is the distribution of CB1 and CB2 receptors. Dogs have a higher concentration of CB1 receptors in the cerebellum, brainstem and medulla oblongata. Dogs have both types of receptors throughout all levels of their epidermis. Humans have these receptors concentrated in different layers of the epidermis.

The endocannabinoid system is now believed to be the largest receptor system within the mammalian body. It has been found in the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems, the Gastrointestinal System, the Endocrine System, the Skin, the Cardiovascular System, the Reproductive System, Ocular structures and more.

So when we ask ‘How can cannabis help with so many different health concerns?’ we now understand that such a large receptor system, with so many pathways throughout the body, utilizing cannabinoid receptors has very far-reaching connectivity and influence. When cannabis is consumed, its cannabinoids interact with the ECS by binding to CB1 and CB2 receptors, mimicking the effects of endocannabinoids. According to Dr. Casara Andre cannabis allows us to modulate the ESC.

Hemp vs. Marijuana:

Both Hemp and Marijuana are from the Cannabis Sativa species of plants.

o Marijuana is a cannabis plant that contains more than 0.3% THC.

o Hemp is a cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3% THC. Hemp also contains flavonoids and terpenoids which are believed to improve the effectiveness of CBD and other canabinoids.

Because dogs have more CB1 receptors than us they are very sensitive to cannabinoids and THC toxicity is a serious risk to them. Discuss cannabis use with your veterinarian and look for THC free Cannabis products. CBD is not psychoactive and works well within our Wheaten Terrier’s Endocannabinoid System. Because of its positive safety profile experts in the field like Dr Amazonas have advised not to be afraid of using cannabis. Side effects are usually less than traditional medicines. But be aware that CBD can cause changes to liver enzymes and this needs to be monitored by your vet to prevent liver damage.

What Health Concerns Could Cannabis Be Used for In Our Wheatens?

· Pain

· Arthritis

· Musculoskeletal disorders

· Epilepsy

· Seizures

· Anxiety

· Fear-based reactivity

· Stress

· Cancer

· Inflammatory bowel disease

· Liver disease

· Dermatitis

· Allergies

· Degenerative myelopathies

· Asthma

· Diabetes

· Glaucoma

· Retinitis pigmentosa

· Inflammatory diseases

· Tumors

· Muscle spasms

· Appetite stimulation

· Neurological disorders

· Aggression

· Depression

· Sleep disorders

· Nausea

THC Toxicity in Dogs:

CBD appears to be very safe, but THC toxicity in animals has become more common since the legalization of cannabis. Dogs tend to be more sensitive to the psychoactive properties of THC than humans due to having a larger number of Cannabinoid receptors in the canine brain. THC toxicosis can result with exposure.

The most common reactions are lack of coordination, lethargy and depression. Other possible signs are incontinence, sound and/or motion sensitivity, head bobbing, disorientation, mydriasis (dilated pupils), hyperesthesia (extreme sensitivity to touch), ptyalism (increase of saliva), and bradycardia (slowed heart rate), low blood pressure, low body temperature and less frequently agitation, tremors/seizures and vomiting.

Activated charcoal can be given if the dog is still alert with an intact gag reflex. IV fluids, induced vomiting (if ingestion is recent) and monitoring are usually the treatment provided. See your vet immediately if you feel your Wheaten is experiencing THC toxicosis.