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Supplements

updated March 2008

Be sure to discuss all supplements and dosages with your vet. The dosages suggested below are generally recommended but each dog is different so discuss with your vet what is right for your dog.   Some supplements may affect an underlying health condition and some supplements react negatively with other prescribed drugs. Your vet must be informed of everything you give your dog. It is best if you can work with either a holistic vet or a holistic vet in conjunction with your vet.

The key to vitamin/mineral supplementation is proper ratios. Without proper balance, you could be leaching some things or not complimenting properly for optimal results.

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 vitamin supplements that contain mega doses of vitamins A, D, E and K may lead to toxicity.

Many think because herbs are natural they have no possible bad effects. There is no regulation of supplements so each one can vary in it's dose of the actual herb. Always fully research any drug or herb. There is a lot to know and you just really have to be willing to do the research yourself if you want to use supplements. 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.

Recovery Process

  1. Adequan: Injectable poly sulfated glycosaminoglycan. Used as natural anti-inflammatory. Designed for arthritis but seems to help with IVDD.  Must be given for 4 weeks, 2 shots per week. Dose depends on weight so discuss with your vet. AVOID using with diabetic, renal, hepatic or suspected bleeding disorders.  Excess of glucosamine might induce insulin resistance. Discuss with your vet whether to take oral glucosamine at the same time.  Takes a about 2 weeks to fully peak.
  2. B Vitamins: should be included in your multi-vitamin. Approximately 0.1% of body stores of B-12 are lost per day with equal amounts excreted through the digestive and urinary tracts. Medication that interferes with or suppresses gastric acid can lead to a decrease in vitamin B-12 absorption. Vitamin B12 can be used orally or injected and helps regenerate the outer layer, or sheath, of damaged nerves, which speeds nerve reconnection. Important supplement along with acupuncture for dogs experiencing the pain of neuropathy caused self-mutilation with sensations of phantom pain and electric shocks during rejoining of nerve ends.
  3. Vitamin C: Ascorbic Acid or Ester C (calcium ascorbate is easier on the gastric tract). Healthy dogs produce their own vitamin C. Under stress or disease, dogs may need vitamin C in excess of their manufacturing capacity. Dogs tolerant of ascorbic acid, can take greater amounts of the substance orally without having diarrhea when ill or under stress. Post op/ conservative treatment during crate rest, start with 250 mg 2x daily and increase it to bowel tolerance (the stool starts to become slightly soft) giving a maximum of 500mg 2x daily for a month. IVDD causes collagen in the discs to harden. Vitamin C helps rebuild collagen in bones and cartilage. Vitamin C is water soluble, what the system doesn't use is eliminated through urine. Supplementation with Vitamin C can increase risk of forming oxalate stones. Once the stress to the immune system is lowered (the healing period has ended), there is no reason to keep giving mega doses of Vitamin C. You may keep supplementing with lower doses of Vitamin C, 250 mgs as a maximum daily average, and adding oral HA/Gluco may help to moisturize the discs.
  4. CoQ 10 (Coenzyme Q): 30-100 mg/day; reportedly improves oxygen uptake at the cellular level; good for nerve disorders. It aids circulation, stimulates the immune system and It also maintains the health of gums and other tissues. Dogs who suffer from IVDD, should receive 30-100 mg Coenzyme Q daily until they have recovered. Coenzyme Q is harmless, but not cheap. It is probably not worth supplementing your dog with Coenzyme Q, if it is not experiencing an episode.
  5. L-carnitine  acts as an antioxidant and appears to play a role in maintaining the health of nerves. Carnitine helps the body convert fatty acids into energy, which is used primarily for muscular activities throughout the body. Works much better when good quality protein is added to the diet while recovering muscle. Usually for a dachshund 125 mg/day for regaining muscle

Maintenance

  1. Dogs that are at high risk for recurrence of IVDD may benefit from from antioxidant supplements such as: Vitamin E 100-200 IU, CoQ10 1-5mgs per pound and Vitamin C 100-200 mg for a 10-30 lb dog. There has been some research done to suggest that antioxidants will protect the spinal cord to some degree in cases of injury.
  2. Vitamin E: recommendations vary 100-200 iu/day. Vitamin E acts synergistically with the Omega 3's. Also, omega 3 fatty acids may deplete vitamin E in the body. Discontinue for a couple days prior to surgery as it is a slight blood thinner. It is fat soluble & large dosing of supplement form may accumulate in body to toxic levels. Effective levels of vitamin E require several days to achieve.
  3. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs): 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.
    • Glucosamine sulfate: The recommended dose for maintenance for an IVDD dog is 500 mgs daily. This dose can be increased if approved by your vet during an IVDD episode, but keep in mind that oral supplements take 3 weeks to peak in action in the body. Check with your vet if your dog is receiving Injected Adequan. Excess of glucosamine might induce insulin resistance. Adverse reactions are rare and glucosamine tends to be safe and well tolerated.
    • Chondroitin sulfate: The recommended daily dose is: 400 mgs daily for most Dachshunds. You can use human or animal products. There is almost never the amount of G/C necessary for a therapeutic dose in dog food containing G/C. 
    • Oral Hyaluronic Acid, or hyaluronan, is mostly a moisturizer. It takes about 3 weeks for it to fully peak in action. In those 3 weeks you have to give double the regular dose. Usually the maintenance dose is 20-30 mgs daily for small dogs given in two doses of half in the morning and the other half in the evening. HA only stays in the body for 12 hours, so it must be given twice a day.

If the dog is allergic to chicken or is diabetic, it should not be taken. Glucosamine is an anti-inflammatory, Chondroitin helps rebuild cartilage and Oral Hyaluronic Acid is a moisturizer that helps maintain the disc's healthy consistency. They are different and one does not substitute the other.

    4.      Salmon Oil (or Fish Oil): 1000 mg Omega-3/day. Omega-3 in fish is high in two fatty acids crucial to health: DHA and EPA.  Avoid using on dogs with kidney problems or prior to surgery. Consuming too much and in an incorrect ratio may lead to clotting problems and relative deficiencies of Vitamin E and other vitamins.

Other: 

  1. Multi-vitamins. For example: Bertes Immune Blend. Some people use Missing Link or Nupro.
  2. Enzymes: helps a dog utilize all nutrients properly. Bertes Zyme (b-naturals.com), Prozyme, or Wobenzym have been reported to have good results. Another good one is called Unleash (PHD Products). Bromelain (4-500 mg) is a particularly good enzyme (natural anti-inflammatory). Enzymes work mostly in the digestive tract, but their excess travels through the body acting as anti-inflammatories.
  3. Probiotics: beneficial bacteria; helps keep flora in the bowel at the proper level, eases digestion for dogs on crate rest, restores beneficial bacteria after antibiotic and other therapies, supports immune system. Acidophilous can be fed in tablet or powdered form, or by using yogurt with active cultures (some dogs, however, don't tolerate dairy). Recommended: Bertes Ultra Probiotic (b-naturals.com) which is a blend of several probiotics and enzymes.
  4. MSM: reportedly enhances the connective tissue in joints; use in conjunction with Glucosamine/Chondroitin. (Some products such as Glycoflex have formulations that include both)
  5. Rescue Remedy: the ingredients can cause gastrointestinal, respiratory and hepatic (liver)problems in prone individuals. If you use this preparation, then do so at published dose on the bottle and monitor your little guy over a two week period. Any unexplained problems, then stop the preparation.

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.

To learn more about homepathic remedies check out these two sites:

1.  Lew Olson. Vitamins and Supplements http://b-naturals.com/

2.  Natural Rearing http://www.naturalrearing.com/coda/index.html

Again, before giving your dog any kind of supplement or treatment, confirm with the vet and always keep him informed of everything your dog takes.

Additional Readings:

  1. Dr. Clemmons http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/AltMed/WienerDog/IVD_AltMed.htm last accessed 10/6/07
  2. Bioavailablity of hyaluronan to vertebrae http://trixsyn.com/bioavailbilty.htm last accessed 10/2/07
  3. History of Hyaluronic Acid http://www.rejuvenation-science.com/hylauronic-acid_prof.html last accessed 11/05/07
  4. Braund's Clinical Neurology in Small Animals: Localization, Diagnosis and Treatment, Vite C.H. (Ed.)
    International Veterinary Information Service, Ithaca NY (www.ivis.org), 2003; A3218.0103 Disk Disease http://www.ivis.org/advances/Vite/braund17/chapter_frm.asp?LA=1#Disk_disease Major components of the canine disk. last accessed 11/6/07
  5. Canine Health Foundation American Kennel Club. Dog Owners and Breeders Symposium. July 28, 2001. Univeristy of Florida. college of Veterinary Medicine. http://www.ncfbc.com/EDUCATION/pdfs/Interverbal%20disc%20disease.pdf last accessed 11/03/07
  6. Sloan-Kettering-About Herbs, Botanicals and Other Products on-line. http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11570.cfm last accessed 11/6/07
  7. Vitamins & health supplements guide. http://www.vitamins-supplements.org/ last accessed 11/6/07
  8. Ten Herbs and Nutraceuticals You Can't Live Without. North American Veterinary Conference (Eds). Publisher: NAVC (www.tnavc.org). Internet Publisher: International Veterinary Information Service, Ithaca NY http://www.ivis.org/proceedings/NAVC/2006/SAE/022.asp?LA=1 last accessed 11/8/07

 

    Disclaimer:
    This information is presented for educational purposes and as a resource for the Dachshund community. The coordinators are not veterinarians or health care professionals. Nothing herein should be interpreted as medical advice and all should contact their pet care professionals for advice. The coordinators are not responsible for the substance and content contained herein and do not advocate any particular product, item or position contained herein.
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