Vitamin E can be a useful tool in fighting lymphoma in dogs. It can also help in the prevention of lymphoma as well if used daily. If your dog has lymphoma, using vitamin E will help slow the progression of the cancer. Vitamin E can be found in many foods that dogs can eat and often enjoy as snacks.
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Identification
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Vitamin E is one of a group of vitamins and minerals classified as antioxidants. Antioxidants help the immune system fight the progression of cancers such as lymphoma in dogs. Vitamin E usually works in combination with the mineral selenium, which has similar properties to vitamin E.
Function
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Vitamin E works as a protector to cells from retroviruses, which may cause lymphoma in dogs. Vitamin E, along with selenium, works to reduce fat oxidation and maintain proper cholesterol levels. The combination with selenium also helps reduce the buildup of toxins in cells. This is important because cancer cells feed off cholesterol and release toxins into the body as part of their growth process.
Dose
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The dosage required for your dog depends on their weight. Vitamin E has been recommended in amounts of 100IU for each 10 pounds of body weight two times per day. Some veterinarians recommend giving up to 400IU daily for dogs under two years old and up to 800IU daily for dogs over two years old. If given on a daily routine, vitamin E may help prevent the onset of lymphoma in dogs. Along with this, it is recommended that a dose of 0.05mg of selenium be given for each pound of food be given daily as well.
Considerations
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One significant consideration should be given in regards to vitamin E and lymphoma in dogs. If your dog already has lymphoma and is receiving chemotherapy, high doses of antioxidants should be avoided. Antioxidants used during chemotherapy may help the cancer cells survive radiation. This includes the use of both vitamin E and selenium. The recommendation from veterinarians is to stop giving antioxidants to your dog one week before starting treatment and resume your dog's intake one week after finishing its course of radiation treatment.
Where to Get It
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Vitamin E can be found in a variety of foods you can give to your dog. Plant oils such as safflower, soybean, canola or sunflower can yield needed oils in their seeds. Look for plant oils in ready-made dog foods. Natural peanut butter and oil are good sources of vitamin E. Dogs love peanut butter. You can coat medication in peanut butter to get medication and vitamin E into your dog simultaneously. You can use nuts such as almonds, walnuts or pecans for a source of vitamin E as well. Do not feed the shells to your dog because they can be toxic. Fruit is another source of vitamin E for dogs. Raw fruit such as blueberries or raw apple slices are good snacks. Cooked fruit or dog cookies with fruit are another idea if your dog doesn't like raw fruit.
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