If your pet had an illness that led to kidney failure, you will want to do everything you can to aid his recovery. Damage to your dog's kidneys can't be undone. However, there are measures you can take to manage his condition and ensure that these vital organs don't suffer further damage. Giving your dog the right vitamin supplements is one of the ways to do this. Always check with your veterinarian before giving your dog supplements.
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Vitamin E
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Vitamin E is an antioxidant. It helps protect the kidney cells from free radicals and acts as an anti-inflammatory, helping reduce the inflammation associated with kidney disease and renal failure. Canine nutritionist Mary Straus advises owners to administer vitamin E to their dogs whenever they are using oil supplements. R. M. Clemmons, DVM, of Florida University, recommends giving dogs younger than 2 years of age 400 IU each day, and dogs older than 2 years of age 800 IU daily.
B Vitamins
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While vitamin B complexes don't affect kidney function directly, if the kidneys aren't working these important, water-soluble vitamins will be flushed out of the body. According to Only Natural Pet Store, B vitamins help dogs deal with stress and can also help combat the effects of anemia. As different compounds of vitamin B have different functions; dogs should take a B complex vitamin supplement daily, unless your vet recommends a specific B vitamin.
Vitamin C
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Like vitamin E, vitamin C is an antioxidant and aids cell regeneration and growth. It commonly comes in the form of ascorbic acid. Kidney failure can cause a dog to lose supplies of vitamin C. This vitamin is water soluble and dogs tend to drink and urinate more when they have this condition. Canine nutritionist Mary Straus recommends giving 100 mg daily to dogs weighing up to 25 pounds, 250 mg each day to dogs between 25 and 50 pounds, 500 mg to dogs between 50 and 75 pounds and 1,000 mg to dogs more than 75 pounds. According to Clemmons, this vitamin works with vitamin E, making the antioxidant effect stronger.
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