I have a question concerning Hip Dysplasia and vitamins.
aside from any herditary traits
I heard that if you give your dog vitamin C tabs like 250-500 mg will help prevent HD. Is this true ??? I think it had something to do with a study on scurvey.


How about the eyes?

Nothing will prevent HD. Ester C and glucosamin can help the joints, but nothing will prevent.

What's your question about the eyes?

I was curious if there was a supplement for the eyes too?

thanks for the info

Here are a couple of good supplements.

www.nuvet.com (http://www.nuvet.com)

www.designinghealth.com/products/canine_products_main.htm (http://www.designinghealth.com/products/canine_main.htm)

va lab

Here are a couple of good supplements.

www.nuvet.com (http://www.nuvet.com)

www.designinghealth.com/products/canine_products_main.htm (http://www.designinghealth.com/products/canine_main.htm)

va lab I'm afraid I have to disagree here. The original poster was asking about preventing HD, so I presume this was in reference to a growing puppy. If a puppy is fed a good food, supplements are not only unnecessary, but contraindicated. Too much of a good thing is as bad as too little.

In my opinion, NuVet is especially bad, as it is high in calcium (oyster shells). Excess calcium consumption has been proven via controlled studies to actually increase orthopedic problems. NuVet has another strike against it in my book - although it is probably fine for an adult dog, this is a company offering kickbacks to breeders who push it. Some "breeders" go so far as to include a clause in their guarantee requiring the continued use of NuVet - which, coincidentally, results in continued kickbacks to the breeder. :nono:

to the original poster - while it is impossible at this time to completely eliminate most genetic conditions, a responsible breeding program, followed by a sensible feeding program and keeping a growing puppy lean and fit without overexcercising, seems to be the best bet at this time. The good news is that the most common eye problem in Labradors, PRA, now has a reliable test for carriers. As long as one parent is tested clear, none of the puppies will be affected :) It would be wonderful if one day hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia could so easily be avoided.

I'm afraid I have to disagree here. The original poster was asking about preventing HD, so I presume this was in reference to a growing puppy. If a puppy is fed a good food, supplements are not only unnecessary, but contraindicated. Too much of a good thing is as bad as too little.

In my opinion, NuVet is especially bad, as it is high in calcium (oyster shells). Excess calcium consumption has been proven via controlled studies to actually increase orthopedic problems. NuVet has another strike against it in my book - although it is probably fine for an adult dog, this is a company offering kickbacks to breeders who push it. Some "breeders" go so far as to include a clause in their guarantee requiring the continued use of NuVet - which, coincidentally, results in continued kickbacks to the breeder. :nono:

Good post- I've been working in the veterinary field for 15 years, and this is exactly what I was going to reply with. NuVet is waaaay too high in calcium levels, especially when combined with calcium levels already in food, for growing puppies, and studies have indeed been done that have shown that high calcium levels in the diet really promote the development of orthopedic diseases.

Don't give any supplements other than perhaps glucosamine/chondroitin once they are over around 6 months old or so, fish/salmon oil, and vit C (not Ester-C, because again, its calcium levels are way too high).

I'm afraid I have to disagree here. The original poster was asking about preventing HD, so I presume this was in reference to a growing puppy. If a puppy is fed a good food, supplements are not only unnecessary, but contraindicated. Too much of a good thing is as bad as too little.

In my opinion, NuVet is especially bad, as it is high in calcium (oyster shells). Excess calcium consumption has been proven via controlled studies to actually increase orthopedic problems. NuVet has another strike against it in my book - although it is probably fine for an adult dog, this is a company offering kickbacks to breeders who push it. Some "breeders" go so far as to include a clause in their guarantee requiring the continued use of NuVet - which, coincidentally, results in continued kickbacks to the breeder. :nono:

to the original poster - while it is impossible at this time to completely eliminate most genetic conditions, a responsible breeding program, followed by a sensible feeding program and keeping a growing puppy lean and fit without overexcercising, seems to be the best bet at this time. The good news is that the most common eye problem in Labradors, PRA, now has a reliable test for carriers. As long as one parent is tested clear, none of the puppies will be affected :) It would be wonderful if one day hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia could so easily be avoided.

My Bad:o:

I'm learning.

Thanks,

va lab