Can CBD Oil Shrink Lipomas in Dogs?

Lipomas are common benign fatty tumors found in dogs and other animals. They’re usually found in older dogs and they don’t tend to recur after they’ve been removed. Cannabidiol, or CBD oil, is derived from the hemp plant and has recently become very popular for its perceived health benefits. In particular, people often claim that CBD oil can shrink lipomas because it has an abundance of cannabinoids. Let’s take a closer look at what that means for your dog and their lipoma.

What is CBD oil?

CBD oil is an abbreviation for cannabidiol, which is a compound found in hemp. Hemp contains very small amounts of THC, which is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that gives the “high” feeling when consumed. CBD oil is extracted from hemp seeds and flowers and is non-psychoactive. CBD oil is frequently used for its perceived health benefits. It is often used in place of THC in the treatment of certain health disorders, like epilepsy.

Should you use CBD oil to shrink your dog’s lipoma?

Due to the lack of research in this area, we can’t be certain that CBD oil will be effective for shrinking lipomas in dogs. CBD oil has not been approved for use on animals and we don’t know how it will affect them. However, we do know that lipomas respond well to surgical removal. So, there’s no reason to think that CBD oil would be any more effective than surgery.

If you do want to try CBD oil on your dog, make sure that you purchase a product that is approved for animals. That said, there are a few reasons why CBD oil might be helpful in treating your dog’s lipoma. Lipomas are fatty tumors, so they can be treated with lipotropics, or medications that increase metabolism and break down fats. CBD oil is a lipotropic agent. In addition, CBD oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-pain properties that can make the healing process more comfortable for your dog.

How to administer CBD oil to your dog

Always consult with your vet before giving your dog any medication, including CBD oil. There are different ways to administer CBD oil to your dog. Talk to your vet about which method would be best for your dog. Some common ways to administer CBD oil to dogs include:

Topical application

This involves placing oil directly on the skin, usually near the lipoma.

Ingestion

You can mix oil with your dog’s food.

Inhalation

Some products are designed to be inhaled.

Injection

CBD oil can also be injected into the subcutaneous tissue surrounding the lipoma.

Pros of using CBD oil to shrink lipomas in dogs

It is non-invasive

Because there is no incision, you don’t have to worry about scarring or damaging the surrounding tissue.

It is painless

Dogs don’t have anesthetic-level pain, so they won’t feel any pain during the procedure.

It is less expensive than surgery

Lipomas typically don’t require surgery, so you can try CBD oil before having surgery. If it doesn’t work, you can still have the lipoma removed.

It has fewer side effects than surgery

Lipomas aren’t dangerous, so the risks of surgery are pretty low. However, there are some potential side effects of CBD oil, which we’ll discuss later.

Cons of using CBD oil to shrink lipomas in dogs

It may take a long time to work

Lipomas are benign tumors that usually don’t cause any harm to your dog. They grow slowly and don’t require treatment if they’re not causing any pain. While lipomas respond well to CBD oil, it can take months for them to shrink significantly.

It only shrinks lipomas near the skin

CBD oil is not a cure-all magic potion. It is a helpful treatment for lipomas, but it doesn’t work on all fatty tumors. It won’t work on lipomas that are inside your dog’s body.

It may cause side effects

As with any medication, there are potential side effects. These include diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and depression.

Conclusion

Lipomas are benign fatty tumors that are relatively common in older dogs. These tumors usually respond well to surgical removal, so it’s unlikely that CBD oil would be as effective. However, CBD oil has some potential benefits. It is a lipotropic agent, it is non-invasive, and it has anti-inflammatory and anti-pain properties. There are some potential side effects associated with CBD oil, but these are manageable. Whether or not CBD oil will work for your dog depends on the size of their lipoma and the type of lipoma. Overall, CBD oil can be a helpful treatment for lipomas in dogs, but it’s important to consult with your vet first.