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VITAMIN C – WHEN and WHY |
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Since dogs manufacture
Vitamin C on their own a reasonable question is Why
supplement it? The major reason to do
so is that dogs do not manufacture enough to meet their requirements in many
circumstances. There are adequate studies
to support the use of Vitamin C (along with Vitamin E!) in the battle to
control “free radicals”. While the
body may do a good job in its battle against free radicals when all is normal
any form of bodily stress or physiological disturbance can dramatically
increase the free radical burden.
Those stresses may be something as simple as dietary substances found
in kibble (specifically high fat kibble and poor quality kibble,),
infections, injuries or surgery, arthritic conditions (including canine hip dysplasia),
over-exercised dogs (long hikes for unfit animals) and even vaccinations. Vitamin C to the
rescue! The studies that have
produced the most profound results, have been done
with the product known as Ester C.
That is a trademarked form Vitamin C with ascorbic acid combined with
calcium to neutralize it so that there is no upset to the gastro-intestinal
track. It is polyascorbate
acid. There are other forms of
Vitamin C known as calcium ascorbate, which
function just as well at considerably less cost. While plain ol’
ascorbic acid is useful it can and does upset the stomach and leaves the
system much more rapidly than calcium ascorbate. One study (in Utah) showed
that 78% of the dogs suffering from chronic arthritic conditions receiving Ester.C showed improved mobility within four to
five days. Those results parallel
studies done in Norway and presented in The Norwegian Veterinary Journal,
Volume 102, August/September 1990. The amount to be given to
the dog varies with individual tolerance and the sure-fire way to determine
when the dose is too great is a soft stool!
That is referred to as “stool tolerance level”. Carol Schwartz, DVM,
offers this guide: give Vitamin C to
dogs with a variety of illnesses, including upper respiratory conditions,
“small dogs, 125 – 500 mg. twice daily; medium dogs 250 – 1,500 mg. twice
daily; large dogs, 500 – 1,500 mg. twice daily and skin allergies, small dogs
125 mg. twice daily, medium and large dogs, up to 750 mg. twice daily.” It is a good idea to begin with smaller
amounts and build up to the levels suggested. From my own personal
experience I gave my Giant Schnauzer up to 7000 mg. daily (divided in two
doses) when his hip dysplasia gave him the most discomfort. His maintenance level was about 4000 mg.
daily. He received lots of other help
for his progressive disease but there is no doubt in my mind that the calcium
ascorbate acid that he received contributed to his
well being. Help your dogs live
healthier lives – feed the best diet possible and start giving them calcium ascorbate acid! H |