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 When
To Start Supplementing?
It is best while a dog is on
any prescription medications while recovering
in crate rest, not
to add any supplements that could cause any
confusion about the culprit
should gastro-intestinal problems develop such
as vomiting, loose stools, diarrhea, or even
gas. Supplements can cause those too and it
would be important to be able to definitively
identify the cause quickly in order to take
actions to treat the problem. After all IVDD
medications have been stopped, some supplements
can maximize healing during this critical period
in recovery.
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There
isn’t much scientific evidence of what is
effective and what isn’t concerning intervertebral
discs and Intervertebral Disc Disease. Supplements
are something you’ll need to research in
depth before making decisions. In this article
we will be discussing those supplements you will
likely have questions about.
The
Joint Supplement Debate
Much
of the debate is about whether conventional
joint supplements (glucosamine/chondroitin)
actually help with IVDD because the discs in
the spine are not the same as the joints in
the rest of the body. In order for nutrients
to reach the discs in the spine, they have to
be able to penetrate the blood brain barrier
because the blood brain barrier (BBB) is the
body’s natural protection for the spinal
cord and brain. The BBB stops things from entering
to protect these vital parts of the body from
disease. In so doing, it also stops many supplements
from entering too. Other joints in the body
don’t have this protection; and therefore,
supplements have more direct access to them
therefore having a better chance at helping
leg and shoulder joints. Another complicating
factor is that intervertebral discs are different
than other joints in the body. Although they
share the same functions (shock absorbers and
cushions between joint bones), they do not have
the same composition nor are they constructed
in the same way.
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Here's some good info from
Mar Vista Animal Medical Center on the difference between
intervertebral discs and other joints in the body:
The
vertebral column consists of numerous small bones
called ‘vertebrae’ which are linked together
by special joints called ‘intervertebral discs.’
The discs are similar to the joints that connect arm
or leg bones together in many ways. They allow flexibility
between vertebrae so that one can arch or twist one’s
back voluntarily just as one can flex and extend a
knee or elbow.
But the discs are unique as well. A joint of the appendicular
skeleton, say a knee or elbow, has a capsule which
secretes a lubricating fluid. The bones are capped
with smooth cartilage to facilitate frictionless gliding
as the surfaces move during flexion and extension.
The disc is nothing like this.
It is more like a cushion between the end plates of
the vertebrae. It is round (hence the name “disc”)
and fibrous on the outside with a soft gelatinous
inside to absorb the forces to which the bones are
exposed.
Another
complication is that intervertebral discs have very
poor blood supply which means they get very little
nutrition. In summary, due to the protective barrier
of the BBB and the unique construction of intervetebral
discs including very poor blood supply, there is significant
doubt and no scientific evidence that joint supplementation
with glucosamine and chondroitin can help heal or
provide nutrition to the discs to help them maintain
their moisture which would, in theory, help prevent
IVDD ruptures.
There
are some supplements that may reach the intervertebral
discs and some can help the body heal and help maintain
better overall health. A healthier dog is always better
able to deal with any disease and that includes IVDD.
Be
Aware
Should
you decide to supplement, you also need to be aware
that not all supplements are created equal. Quality
varies greatly. Purity is also another big concern.
There is no regulation of supplements so each one can
vary in the amount of the herb in the product. Many
people think because herbs are “natural”
they have no possible bad side effects which is NOT
true. Always fully research any drug or herb.
Herbs and natural remedies can have just as many side
effects as prescription drugs. Every substance in a
high enough dose is dangerous, even something as common
as water.
Pet
supplementation has become a big, lucrative money draw
for many companies. Don’t fall for the marketing
hype surrounding so many pet supplements today. There
is a lot to know, and you really have to be willing
to do the research yourself and learn as much as you
can if you want to use supplements. Look at the source
of the information and try to get independent information
rather than just from the company making the products
or selling the products. They have an invested interest
in making it sound good so you will buy it. Remember,
nothing you give, whether prescription medications or
nutritional supplements, is without possible side effects.
Everything carries some risk. Being aware of all of
your pet’s health problems is crucial to knowing
if you should or should not supplement with a particular
product. Doing your research with an eye to negative
side effects will alert you to possible contraindications
between your pet’s health conditions, other drugs
your dog may be on, other herbs, and that supplement
you are considering. One example of a supplement being
contraindicated with prescription medications used in
treating IVDD is the popular SAM-e supplement. SAM-e
is contraindicated for use while on Tramadol which is
an analgesic given for pain because of the risk of developing
Serotonin Syndrome.
Be
sure to discuss all supplements and dosages with your
vet. Ultimately, the best scenario is to work
with a holistic vet in concert with your regular vet.
The
Key is Proper Balance
The
key to vitamin/mineral supplementation is proper
ratios and balance of each particular vitamin
and mineral. For example, the proper ratio of
zinc to copper is a ratio of 10 to 1. In other
words 10 parts of zinc to 1 part of copper.
The ideal balance of calcium to phosphorous
is 1.3 parts of calcium to 1 part phosphorous.
Supplements can provide too much of one and
not enough of another which can, over time,
create an imbalance which has the potential
to cause serious health problems. Supplementing
needs to be done at optimal levels. Do your
research to know what those are.
The
body does not need fat-soluble vitamins (A,
D, E and K) everyday and stores them in the
liver when not used. Eating a normal, well-balanced
diet will not lead to toxicity in otherwise
healthy dogs. However, taking a multivitamin
which contains mega doses of vitamins A, D,
E and K may lead to liver toxicity.
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Ultimately,
your dog will get the proper amount of vitamins
and minerals by providing superior nutrition.
Feeding your dog the best nutrition you can afford
provides the building blocks to health and well
being because the best quality vitamins and nutrients
are those that come in unprocessed food. We believe
the best option is to redirect money that would
be spent on supplements to purchase a higher quality
food. Here’s why: vitamins
and minerals are best absorbed by the body through
foods in their natural form which are more bioavailable
rather than pills or synthetic supplements.
For example, feeding one sardine (packed in water
with no salt added) is preferable to a processed
fish-oil pill. A sardine comes with nature’s
packaging in the right proportions of calcium
via bones, protein from meat, and Omega 3 fatty
acids (anti-inflammatory action) in the skin and
body itself. The hope is for the dog’s body
to use the supply of nutrients in the fish to
keep the intervertebral discs hydrated. To date,
there is no proof that any supplements on the
market do that.
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Recovery
B-12
Methylcobalamin. Medications
that interfere with or suppress gastric acid such as
Pepcid AC can lead to a decrease in vitamin B-12 absorption.
Plus during healing, Vitamin B levels can easily be
depleted due to the extra demand during healing. Vitamin
B12 can be given orally or injected and helps regenerate
the outer layer, or sheath, of damaged nerves which
speeds nerve reconnection. B-12 supplementation needs
to be with a particular type of B-12 called Methylcobalamin
because the other type of B-12 (cyanocobalamin) does
not have the same positive effect on nerve regeneration.
B-12 Methylcobalamin supplementation is also very beneficial
along with acupuncture for dogs experiencing the pain
of neuropathy. Neuropathy can lead to self-mutilation
due to sensations of phantom pain and electrical shocks
while nerve endings are healing.
COQ-10
(Coenzyme Q) is a naturally occurring nutrient
found in each cell of the body. In addition to playing
a significant role in the energy system of our cells,
CoQ10 is also believed to have antioxidant properties
with benefits for certain neurodegenerative conditions.
Although a small amount is found in some foods such
as meat, fish, and nuts, supplementation improves oxygen
uptake at the cellular level, aids circulation, stimulates
the immune system, and also helps maintains the health
of gums and other tissues. COQ-10,
combined with Vitamin E, works synergetically to reduce
inflammation. During healing from an IVDD
episode, 30 to 100MG divided into 2 doses a day is normally
recommended. If finances permit, COQ-10
supplementation might be beneficial to continue after
recovery on a maintenance basis at the lowest dosage.
Do check with your holistic vet for the correct
dose for your dog.
L-Carnitine
helps transport fatty acids into the energy producing
units in the cells – the mitochondria, where they
can be converted to energy. This is a major source of
energy for the muscles and increases the use of fat
as an energy source. It works best when combined with
good-quality protein in the diet. 125MG divided into
2 doses daily during recovery. Do verify with your
holistic vet for the correct dose for your dog.
L-Glutamine
helps prevent the kind of muscle loss (wasting) that
can accompany prolonged bed rest. Stress from an injury
(including surgical trauma) causes the muscles to release
glutamine into the bloodstream. In fact, some experts
state that during the time of stress as much as one
third of glutamine present in the muscles may be released.
As a result, stress and/or illness can lead to the loss
of skeletal muscle if not enough glutamine is available.
Therefore, one of the benefits of L-glutamine is to
ensure enough of it is available in the body to help
prevent muscle loss (wasting). 250MG a day divided into
2 doses. Do check with your holistic vet for the
correct dose for your dog.
Vitamin
E: All of the functions of Vitamin E are not
known, but it plays a role in the formation of cell
membranes, cell respiration, and in the metabolism of
fats. It is an antioxidant and protects various hormones
from oxidation. Vitamin E acts synergistically with
the Omega 3’s and COQ-10.
Supplementation with high-dose Omega 3 fish oil supplements
may deplete Vitamin E in the body. Discontinue
for a couple days prior to surgery as it is a slight
blood thinner. Recommeded dosages vary according
to sources; however, 100MG during healing is adequate.
Vitamin E would also be appropriate for supplementation
after recovery is complete. Do check with your holistic
vet for the correct dose for your dog.
Maintenance
Adequan
is a water-based, semi-synthetic, injectable
polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (similiar to a liquid
glucosamine) prepared by extracting glycosaminoglycans
(GAGs) from beef tracheal cartilage.Designed and marketed
for arthritis, the theory is that it helps repair and
keep the cartilage in the joints healthier which, in
turn, protects the bone in the joint. It may
help with IVDD. The loading dose is 2 shots per week
for 4 weeks. Then, it is usually followed up with a
monthly booster. Caution: AVOID use
with dogs who are allergic to beef, diabetic, have kidney
or liver problems, or any suspected bleeding/clotting
disorders. An excess of glucosamine products might induce
insulin resistance. Oral glucosamine may not be recommended
while receiving Adequan injections due to the risk of
developing blood-sugar problems.
Omega-3
derived from cold-water fish such as sardines and anchovies
among others, is a wonderful source of two fatty acids
crucial to health: DHA and
EPA which are also anti-inflammatory.
Using Flaxseeds/Flaxseed oil is not the best source
of Omega 3 for dogs because the dog cannot directly
use the ALA in flaxseed and
must convert the ALA to DHA
and EPA that the dog can use.
Many dogs cannot make the conversion effectively. Supplementing
with Salmon Oil can lead to too much Vitamin A and D
which can cause liver and kidney problems. Instead of
using fish oil supplements, simply feeding one water
packed sardine a day will provide the dog not only with
those beneficial anti-inflammatory Omega-3 oils, but
will also provide good protein. If you decide to supplement
with fish oil capsules rather than a sardine a day,
If supplementing with Fish Oil Capsules, stop
supplementing one week prior to surgery. Consuming high
doses may lead to clotting problems and deficiencies
of Vitamin E.
Glycosaminoglycans
(GAGs) is a family of supplements that include
Glucosamine, chondroitin (Sulphate is preferred to HCL)
and Oral Hyaluronic Acid (HA). They are part of the
soft tissue of the body, including discs, and are forms
of sugar. Free glucosamine is not detected in the serum
after oral intake, and it is not presently known how
much of an ingested dose is taken up in the joints in
humans. Some uptake in the articular cartilage (such
as knee joints, etc) is seen in animal studies. Due
to the protective barrier of the BBB
and the unique construction of intervetebral discs including
very poor blood supply, there is significant doubt and
no scientific evidence that joint supplementation with
glucosamine and chondroitin can help heal or provide
nutrition to the discs to help them maintain their moisture
to prevent IVDD episodes.
Caution: Most glucosamine supplements
are made from chitin, the hard outer shells of shrimp,
lobsters, and crabs and should not be given if your
dog has allergies to shellfish. Glucosamine can also
cause stomach upset, gas, and diarrhea. It may
impact blood sugar. Most chondroitin is sourced from
chicken or beef, so supplementation is not appropriate
if your dog has allergies to chicken and/or beef.
Oral
Hyaluronic Acid (HA), or hyaluronan, is one
GAG that may benefit intervertebral
discs. Hyaluronic acid fastens onto collagen and elastin
and creates cartilage. It’s found in every tissue
of our body, and assists in the distribution of nutrients
to cells that don’t possess a blood supply. Cartilage
is one example of such cells. The presence of HA in
those cells maintains the lubrication of joints and
allows them to preserve water for other tissues. Caution:
As a GAG, HA may
impact blood sugar. Most HA products are made from chicken
combs and not appropriate for dogs with allegeries to
chicken. There is a non-animal sourced version of HA
called Trixsyn. Varied sources recommend dosage of 20
to 30MG divided into 2 doses a day. Do check with
your holistic vet for the correct dose for your dog.
Methylsulfonylmethane
(MSM) is a naturally
occurring sulfur compound found in fresh fruits and
vegetables, milk, fish, and grains. Although MSM
can be found naturally in foods, the amount is lessened
by food processing procedures. Now, it is marketed as
a dietary supplement and sold as a chemical compound
derived from DMSO (dimethyl
sulfoxide). MSM maintains
cell membrane flexibility and permeability, promoting
exchange of nutrients. It also is important in connective
tissue health and the formation of collagen while providing
the body with raw materials needed to create new cells
and repair and replace damaged tissues and organs. Since
it has been demonstrated to cross the blood/brain barrier,
it may be beneficial in maintaining intervertebral disc
health. “Appearance of MSM
in significant concentrations in the human brain indicates
ready transfer across the intact blood-brain barrier.”
Dosage recommendations vary widely but 50 to 100MG per
10 lbs of body weight daily is a conservative approach.
Do check with your holistic vet for the correct
dose for your dog.
Other
Vitamin
C/Ester C: Healthy dogs
produce a small amount of their own vitamin C in their
livers from trace minerals provided in the diet. There
is some thought that supplementing with Vitamin C at
high doses will inhibit the dog’s natural ability
to create it. The other side of the debate is that approximately
80% of what is taken orally gets flushed out with the
dog’s urine within approximately 3 hours after
consumption and the more it is supplemented the more
gets urinated out. Since the majority of it gets lost
via urine, that brings up the question of whether the
dog gets any benefit from it at all? That combined with
the fact that Ester C and all vitamin C products are
not bioflavanoids but are chemical compounds –
nothing natural about them at all. Good bioavailability
to the dog is dubious. To top it all off, vitamin C
can’t cross the blood brain barrier and therefore
is not accessible to the intervertebral discs. Additionally,
when the body uses vitamin C, oxalate is produced. In
dogs prone to oxalate kidney stone formation, additional
vitamin C may not be advisable at all because it may
increase the propensity for stone formation in an alkaline
or neutral PH urine environment.
Homeopathic
remedies/herbs are also a possibility, but should only
be used under the treatment of a skilled homeopath.
A very well-known homeopathic treatment is the use of
Discus Compositum along with Vitamin B12 shots. In Germany
DC is injected Sub Q as close as possible to the site
of the herniation along with the Vitamin B12. Good results
have been reported.
Again, please consult with your
regular or holistic vet before beginning any type of
supplement.
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