Consider it medical marijuana for animals, and the cannabidiol is being credited with helping a dog recover after it was shot multiple times and left for dead last week in Harvey County, Kansas.
The dog, Samson, was found heavily wounded, and lying in a field by a farmer’s wife.
The farmer and his wife turned the canine over to K9 Karma Animal Advocates in Wichita, Kansas, where the dog has since been under the care of Jessica Sherwood, who took the dog into her home with her.
Samson had been shot more than six times, and bullets remained lodged in his shoulder blades and back. The dog also sustained bullet wounds to his tongue, and was left blinded in one eye.
Shortly thereafter, the animal rescue shelter began working with Paleo Pets, another Wichita-based company that produces, essentially, medical marijuana for pets.
The CBD oil contains less than 1 per cent THC, and Paleo Pets officials maintain there’s not enough THC in the oil to actually get an animal high.
Still, the cannabidiol is having a positive impact.
Before, officials at the K9 Karma Animal shelter report Samson is now able to stand on his own; before he just drug his back legs. Pain medications have been reduced, and the dog is able to use the bathroom again on his own.
Samson has a long way to go yet, including surgery to remove his affected eye, and possibly even some of the stray bullets that remain lodged in his back, but he is expected to be OK.
Officials with PETA do generally support medical marijuana for treatment of animals.
Local authorities intend to do ballistics tests on the bullets in an effort to catch the individual responsible for shooting the dog.
