CBD Oil for Australian Shepherds

The History of Australian Shepherds

First of all, Australian Shepherds might not even come from Australia. It’s been a topic of debate for some time and no conclusive evidence has been provided as of yet. As far as we know, the “Australian” shepherd was actually bred on United States ranches back in the early 19th century. Because of this, there is actually no agreed upon consensus on how the shepherd got it’s correlation on Australia.

You may not realize it, but your Australian shepherd comes from a line of celebrities. Due to their drive to please and energetic demeanor – and downright cuteness – Australian shepherds have been used in a variety of television shows and movies. They were quite popular in the post-war era, starring in Disney movies and television series’. Aside from working for Walt himself, Australian shepherds were also utilized in many rodeos and horse shows. This was because of their ability to herd stocks and take direction better than most of their canine counterparts.

Australian Shepherds Temperament

Like we mentioned above, Australian shepherds have one main goal in mind and that is to make their humans happy. They are also an immensely active dog. Because ranch life and herding is in their DNA, Australian shepherds love to work and play. Often the two are considered the same to this breed. An active owner is the best home for this specific breed. Their instinct to be outdoors and active will have them barking at the door if they are not permitted the ample exercise they require to remain happy. They are so intelligent and in search of activity in-fact, that if they are not provided with the amount of playtime they need, they will come up with their own games and/or jobs to keep themselves entertained. This does not mean that they are a “set it and forget it” type dog, however. If an Australian shepherd is neglected or not given the exercise they need, excessive barking and damage to property can likely result. At minimum, the Australian shepherd requires 60-minutes of exercise every day. That’s what you sign up for when you decide to adopt a ranch hand.

Happy is the key word when it comes to this breed. Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent creatures and highly lovable. A common term used to describe the Australian shepherd is a “velcro dog”, meaning that they tend to stick to the side of their owner and constantly seek the attention and approval of them. While they may be a tad on the needy and lovable side, they pair it with an unmatched level of loyalty.

Common Health Issues & How CBD Can Help

Because of their highly energetic and active lifestyle, most of the health issues that tend to affect Australian shepherds have to do with joint pain and inflammation. There are other ailments that will affect them throughout their lives, but the most common have to do with pain. Luckily CBD for Australian shepherds can help with almost all of these illnesses.

Hip Dysplasia

This is a common ailment with most highly active breeds and it is most commonly passed down from their parents. This condition is caused by a malformation in the socket of their hip joint. Hip dysplasia can be quite painful and require pain medication to treat, but sometimes it doesn’t present itself for years after developing. When they do, they can range from mild discomfort to complete lameness of the legs and acute pain. Pet CBD oil for Australian shepherds is a perfect weapon to combat this ailment due to the fact that CBD oil interacts with the body’s pain receptors and has shown to reduce pain and inflammation in many cases. While more severe cases may require the prescription of stronger pain medications, CBD can assist with the more mild symptoms and improve their mental state during the treatment. However, if you fear your dog may be suffering from hip dysplasia, a veterinarian visit should be scheduled immediately.

Elbow Dysplasia

Just like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia can be quite painful and often presents itself in a more active breed. The symptoms and treatments of elbow dysplasia are almost identical to it’s hip counterpart, but more commonly tends to affect the front legs as opposed to the rear. Just like hip dysplasia, this ailment can be treated with CBD oil, but you should consult a veterinarian when signs begin to present themselves.

Eye Problems

There are a number of different optical issues that can affect the Australian shepherd. Australian shepherds are a member of the Collie family and due to that, they can suffer from the breed specific “Collie Eye Anomaly”. This is a grouping of eye disorders that often affect the collie breed. Cataracts being one of them. This is the most common eye problem to affect Australian shepherds. Cataracts are an often serious condition that affects the lens of one or both of the dog’s eyes. This can severely impair the dogs vision and, in more severe cases, lead to complete blindness if left untreated. Other optical ailments can affect Australian shepherds throughout their lives and range from colobomas – an iris condition where the iris fails to develop – to retinal atrophy, which can result in complete blindness over a period of time. These are serious issues with serious implications and you should consult your vet immediately if you fear that your dog may be suffering from them.

Epilepsy

Neurological disorders are a very serious issue to affect many dog breeds in the United States. While it is less common for Australian shepherds, it has been diagnosed enough that it is to be considered when investigating the health of your dog. Seizures in dogs can be caused by a number of factors like injury, genetic issues, infections and exposure to toxins. CBD for Australian shepherds can help reduce seizures over time. While much research still must be done on the ailment, dogs who have taken CBD have shown a reduction in seizures and how often they suffer an episode. Check out our full blog on neurological disorders and seizures in dogs here.

Cancer

Cancer in dogs is common, but more common in certain breeds. One of the most common forms of cancer to affect Australian shepherds is Hemangiosarcoma and Lymphoma. Cancer is an extremely serious ailment that should be combated with immediate medical attention. CBD oil is not to be taken as a ‘cure’ for cancer, but can aid in the treatment and overall quality of life during more severe cancer treatments. For more information on cancer in dogs, view our ailment guide.

Conclusion

Australian Shepherds are an outgoing, lovable breed that lives with one purpose in mind: our happiness. They are extremely outgoing and lovable, but they can be predisposed to certain illnesses and diseases that can cost time and dollars in the future. Cancers, autoimmune diseases and eye problems are just a few of the problems to affect Australian shepherds and educating yourself when looking for a new member to introduce to your family is just one of the many responsibilities to accompany owning a dog. Our dogs are our best friends, our family members and important pieces of our lives. But just like us and our family members, sometimes they get sick. Oftentimes there’s nothing we can do but provide a comfortable loving home for them to be treated in. When it comes to any type of ailment, scheduling an appointment at your veterinarian should always be step #1. While CBD is an incredible addition to treatments and has shown on multiple occasions to help reduce certain symptoms of disease.