Vitamin E For Dogs With Hip Dysplasia

Misaligned dysplastic hip

Hip dysplasia is a common, inherited form of arthritis that worsens as dogs grow and age. Normally, the ball-shaped top of a dog's leg bone fits snugly and rotates smoothly within the hip socket. In hip dysplasia, the "ball and socket" don't fit together, and the joint becomes inflamed. Your dog may limp, move stiffly or avoid using the hip. Vitamin E supplements may reduce your dog's joint pain.

Benefits

Corrective surgery for hip dysplasia is invasive and not always successful, and some dogs can't tolerate anti-inflammatory medications or injections. While not a cure, vitamin E is a non-invasive alternative.

Canine nutritionist Steve Brown and Doctors Foster and Smith of pet education.com advocate daily vitamin E supplements for dogs. Veterinarian R.M. Clemmons calls vitamin E, "a potent anti-inflammatory drug," with "no known side-effect at levels less than 4000 IU per day."

Potential Hazards

Iditarod Veterinary Center (IVC) recommends supplementing cautiously with Vitamin E because it may cause nausea and is stored in your dog's body fat along with vitamins A and K. Long-term use of vitamin E supplements containing vitamin A could lead to vitamin A overdose and toxicity.

Excessive vitamin E intake may result in canine bleeding disorders. IVC warns that giving dogs too much Vitamin E may interfere with absorption of vitamin K, which aids blood clotting. According to veterinarian R.M. Clemmons, vitamin E reduces platelet function and prolongs bleeding time.

Forms of Vitamin E

According to canine nutrition expert Steve Brown, the two types of vitamin E--tocopherol and tocotrienol--each have alpha, beta, gamma, and delta forms. IVC recommends supplementing dogs with alpha-tocopherol, the most biologically active. Because forms vary in potency and function, Brown states dogs need all eight.

Brown's research indicates commercial dog foods contain only alpha-tocopherol. He advocates using "full spectrum" vitamin E supplements or adding finely chopped egg, sunflower seeds, Brazil nuts, pecans or walnuts, broccoli or romaine lettuce to your dog's food.

Combine with C

While denying vitamins E and C prevent or cure canine hip dysplasia, Cargill and Thorpe-Vargas state, "if taken daily and consistently, they can reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms without detrimental side effects." Vitamin C helps dogs absorb and recycle vitamin E, says veterinarian R.M. Clemmons.

According to pet education.com, dogs eat vitamin C or their bodies produce it, then use it for bone and joint formation. Little is stored. Stressed or diseased canines require more vitamin C than they can produce, Clemmons found. To avoid side effects associated with ascorbic acid, Cargill and Thorpe-Vargas recommend supplementing with Polyascorbate, another form of vitamin C.

Add Selenium

Canine nutrition expert Steve Brown found that the more selenium eaten, the less vitamin E dogs need. This is beneficial for avoiding potential hazards of over-supplementation. Ideal supplements for canine hip dysplasia contain selenium as well as all eight forms of vitamin E and the Polyascorbate form of vitamin C. Selenium can also be obtained from eggs or Brazil nuts.

Tags: Steve Brown, vitamin supplements, Brazil nuts, canine dysplasia, Cargill Thorpe-Vargas