Vit B and Vit E

[oc_spirit]

Does anybody give this supplement to their dog? I want to start giving it to mine but I'm just not sre *which* one to buy. Someone recommended I get the Vitamin B Complex that isn't high potency. Anybody else have any more words of wisdom regarding it?? There are so many types...Vit B 50, Vit B 12...etc

Also someone was recommending Vit E. Does anybody have any information about giving dogs Vit E? If I remember correctly its to help with the digestive tract??? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[DreamDoby]

I supplement with Vit. E and B.

I do the E mainly because I supplement also with fish oil. The Vit. E is also an antioxidant that is supposed to be benefit the skin and coat.

Vit. B is also supposed to benefit the skin and coat and mostly indicated in high stress. I use B complex (B-50).

 

[oc_spirit]

Ah cool I supplement with fish oil as well. Is there only one type of Vit E?

 

[OsaBarbosa]

Our fish oil supplement has both Vit B and E in it as well as a couple other vitamins and minerals. Just one squirt on her food once a day and she is good to go.

 

[bubbatd]

Ollie loves to take a fish Oil pill when I do .

 

[DreamDoby]

Is there only one type of Vit E?

Yes there is just one Vit E. There are different quantities. For my big guys I personally use the 400 i.u. once a day. I assume this is for a larger dog.

 

[OutlineACDs]

Be careful that you don't overdose on the Vitamin E. It isn't water souble, so it is possible to use too much. I am not sure of correct quantities etc, but you may want to check the food you are feeding, some add Vit. E to their formula.

 

[irenafarm]

It's actually really, really hard to give a dog a toxic dose of E. You'd have to, like, mainline it or something. Or be really stupid and give your dog a whole bottle. I hate looking up E quantities because it's always in those IU units I don't understand, while blood plasma levels are in ppm. But, one time I did figure it out - it's not necessary to put "ODing my dog on Vitamin E" high on your list of things to worry about.

The usual dose for E is 200 iu twice a day. Stay in there and you should be fine. Notice it's really the same whether your dog is 200 pounds or 2 pounds. That shows how huge the range is from deficiency to toxic levels.

the B vitamins help with a whole bunch of stuff. I use a complex with extra B-12 because the dogs work hard and B12 helps recharge their systems. The B's also are involved with digestion, nervous function, eyesight, and celluar recontruction.

I give E because I use a lot of OFAs, and the dogs also need extra antioxidants. I use B because I feed raw and can't do true prey model, where they'd get B complex from skin, eyes, and brain. Yum.

 

[oc_spirit]

Wow thanks for all the info Irena!! I think at this point I will get the boys on Vit B soon and hold off on Vit E for a bit as it doesnt seem to be all that necessary to put them on it at this point.

 

[ozzie72]

There 2 types of vitE i believe.There's the natural one which is called D-alpha and the synthetic form which is labelled DL-Alpha.Go for the natural form.

The one constant i have heard about vitB is to never give it on an empty stomach as it can cause nausea.

Always give E when supplementing with fish oil.

 

[DreamDoby]

hold off on Vit E for a bit as it doesnt seem to be all that necessary to put them on it at this point.

The main reason I supplement the vitamin E is because I do fish oil. As far as I am aware, the fish oil depletes the system with oxidating results so the added supplementation is recommended.

There is a natural (d–alpha-tocopherol) and synthetic(dl-alpha-tocopherol) version. The synthetic is most common to be found. The natural is recommended the most because the absorption can be twice as high as the synthetic.

 

[Herschel]

Are you sure your dog needs additional supplements?

"Supplementation with vitamin E alone and in combinations in doses ranging from 100 IU to 1,200 IU did not demonstrate a statistically significant effect on serum lipids after at least 8 weeks and no more than 24 weeks of treatment. Two large primary prevention trials reported clinically insignificant (but statistically significant) changes in these outcomes. Thus, there is no evidence that vitamin E alone or in combination has a clinically and statistically significant favorable or unfavorable effect on lipids."
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/antioxsum.htm

It might feel good, sound right, or be popular to over supplement with all sorts of synthetic or processed vitamins, but in a healthy animal (or person) it probably has no benefit. The latest research actually suggests that Vitamin E may decrease lifespan...

 

[Herschel]

the fish oil depletes the system with oxidating results so the added supplementation is recommended.

Not true. The idea is that Vitamin E will prevent the fatty acids from being oxidized before they are processed by your body. The body is fully capable of protecting and utilizing fatty acids, even long chain polyunsaturated. To say that you are protecting your dog from oxidative stress by supplementing with Vitamin E is a bit misguided.

By the way, high doses of Vitamin E can deplete Vitamin A. So if you're giving Vitamin E, you should start giving Vitamin A as well.

Read this for more information: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamine.asp

If, for some reason, you believe your dog needs more vitamin E, why not supplement a natural source? (As in 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil/day--which is already present in most dog foods as it is...)

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Too much vitamin A is bad for kidneys.

 

[oc_spirit]

Herschel that's why I'm asking S far I have not supplemented more than just fish oil and glucosomine. I ask questions so I can further educate myself and know exactly what I am dealing with so I can make a better decision for my dogs. My dogs do me a great service by working for me so I want to give them the best shot possible at being the healthiest and best they can be not just so that they perform optimally, but also so they have the best chance at life.

Thanks everyone for the info!

 

[Herschel]

Too much vitamin A is bad for kidneys.

Exactly.

I think people come up with these crazy superstitions (for themselves and for their dogs) that we need all sorts of processed supplements. I think a balanced diet is the key.

OC--I wasn't trying to be hostile with my posts and I'm sorry if they came off like that. I was just waiting to see where this thread went and I couldn't take it anymore. Glad to hear that you're not too wrapped up in the hysteria.

For the record, we give fish oil, ground flax (kept in the dark, sealed), or olive oil at every meal. Sometimes we supplement parsley or garlic as well.

 

[DreamDoby]

The research is always going and out there. When it comes to supplements, I don't think you will find two agreeing sides. One year they have results of the greatest and the next it is the worse. Do what works for you and you feel comfortable with.

The Whole Dog Journal in 2007 the last time I looked does recommend vitamin E if giving fish oil. This runs down alittle about an older study that they did with some rats with fish oil and exercise and the neg. effects. I can't find a different study I was looking for. http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/news/20000410/exercise-vitamin-e I was also referring to using vit. E specifically with fish oil. Not alone.

I don't come here to argue. Do what you feel is needed. Have a great night.

 

[Herschel]

I can't find a different study I was looking for. http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/news/20000410/exercise-vitamin-e I was also referring to using vit. E specifically with fish oil. Not alone.

I believe that study is based on this 1990 study, which recommends antioxidant supplementation when giving high doses of fish oil. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2282693&dopt=AbstractPlus

"15 g/day of fish-oil in the form of MaxEPA capsules..."

Typical supplements are 1-2 grams...