Dear Stoner: My small dog has skin problems and hair loss from allergies. Could CBD or hemp oil help?
Sue

Dear Sue: CBD and hemp oils have been shown to help a variety of disorders among both humans and animals, including irritating skin disorders. A survey study from the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association reported that anywhere from 60 to 90 percent of pet owners endorse the health benefits of CBD on some level, but 75 percent of respondents who used CBD for a pet’s skin condition didn’t know if it had worked or not. There are numerous blogs and websites touting CBD oil’s benefits for certain skin disorders and claiming that it aids more expensive medications when applied directly to a dog’s skin or added to its food — but I advise you to make sure your dog’s condition is treatable by CBD first.

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There has been a rise in veterinarian studies on cannabinoid benefits for animals even as more anecdotal information comes in supporting it. Colorado State University is currently running tests on how CBD can treat osteoarthritis and epilepsy in dogs, and there will be a free lecture about medical marijuana in veterinary medicine on Tuesday, January 23, at the Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital. If your current vet doesn’t know much about the subject, I suggest you attend, as there will be plenty of vets there who do.

Send questions to marijuana@westword.com.