Hip dysplasia is a common, inherited form of arthritis that worsens as dogs grow and age. Normally, the ball-shaped top of a dog̵7;s leg bone fits snugly and rotates smoothly within the hip socket. In hip dysplasia, the ̶0;ball and socket̶1; don̵7;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.
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Benefits
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Corrective surgery for hip dysplasia is invasive and not always successful, and some dogs can̵7;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, ̶0;a potent anti-inflammatory drug,̶1; with ̶0;no known side-effect at levels less than 4000 IU per day.̶1;
Potential Hazards
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Iditarod Veterinary Center (IVC) recommends supplementing cautiously with Vitamin E because it may cause nausea and is stored in your dog̵7;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
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According to canine nutrition expert Steve Brown, the two types of vitamin E̵1;tocopherol and tocotrienol̵1;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.
Brown̵7;s research indicates commercial dog foods contain only alpha-tocopherol. He advocates using ̶0;full spectrum̶1; 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
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While denying vitamins E and C prevent or cure canine hip dysplasia, Cargill and Thorpe-Vargas state, ̶0;if taken daily and consistently, they can reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms without detrimental side effects.̶1; 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
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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.
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