Ed, have you heard of this being done with gestating dogs/cats and also with pups being weaned thru their 2nd year? We're doing kelp and omega 3 supplements but I'll add more C if you've had any experience with this regiment.

as always much thanks,

mike and "brenna"

btw, both of her parents are certified OFA good hips...I know this doesn't mean Brenna is guaranteed to avoid hip and spinal problems, but the study I read about pretty much said that even dogs that might have problems can avoid it with mega doses of C from pup to 24 months.

I have read that, and the type of C matters. Dogs who were given it w/other vitamins, like in a multi-vitamin, did not have the same benefits of the dogs who were weaned onto just C and continued this through 2 yrs of age. It also has benefits for arthritis; the xrays don't change, but severely dysplastic dogs continue to run around and appear healthy well into their teens, when they began limping at only 1-2yrs old. Amazing and unbelievable.

Wow! Any links to more info on this that you know of? I'm worried about my pups hips and would love to hedge my bets!!

Hi Mike,

Here is an article on the use of vit C and CHD -

http://www.afpafitness.com/articles/DogsDonLie.htm

Peggy

Great info, and actually a bit shocking, who knew.

excellent post...thanks...I think I read it on AuntJenny's or whatever the heck it is website

I always use Ester C; it's at least twice as expensive, but there's enough out there to support it as an even better alternative to ascorbic acid. Google Wendell Bellfield or L.Phillips Brown w/key words "ester C" or "hip dysplasia" and you'll get oodles of interesting stories and studies. I am not a linksaver, unfortunately. I always print stuff, read it, then lose it;-).

The breeder of my GSD is now including supplementation w/vit C in her diet plan, as part of the guarantee.

Adequan, a polysulfated glucosaminoglycan, is reported to be even more effective when administered along a high-dose regimen of Ester C, and this is what I do. My dog had a horrible bout w/Pano that left him with muscle atrophy and subluxation. So, while it's not technically genetic HD, he could end up in the same boat b/c the weakened muscle started to cause a reforming of the femoral head, since the bone wasn't seated properly in the socket.

I decided to start him on Adequan, as if he had HD and the resulting arthritis to be on the safe side (thanks, Chris Bettin) and at age 3, he appears 100% normal and healthy, even though I was told a year ago that he already was developing arthritis in the Pano leg. I will get him re-xrayed to see what I'm up against, if anything, and let you know, but I firmly believe my Ester C regimen w/Adequan is helping. He's a big boy to begin with, and I feel it can't hurt to provide a little extra support for those joints that are under so much stress w/his weight and activity.

Hi Mike,

Jenni sent me both the Bellfield info on Ester-C and the Adequan info when my puppy was diagnosed with bilateral hip dysplasia roughly 2 months ago. I've had him on 2000mg Ester-C per day ever since and he's currently undergoing treatment with Adequan 2x/week. I also switched to the Syn-Flex liquid glucosamine that Ed sells.

I have seen definite improvement in my dog. He no longer limps for 4 days following play periods with another dog. He will probably always be stiff coming out of his crate and he will probably always bunny hop when he runs but right now he's doing much better.

I am so deeply grateful to Jenni and others on the forum for steering me in this direction.

Sarah, so glad to hear it's helping!!! It'd be interesting to see another xray someday if you ever have them done...I've seen some interesting "before and after" films w/Adequan. Love to hear of dogs improving!!!