GoldenWei Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 When I picked up Willow (LH Wei). The breeder has on her diet sheet to add Vitamin C Powder (Calcium Ascorbate Poweder ONLY). I bought the only vitamin C powder I could find, it says Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). Is this the same thing. Should I have her on something else?? I initially thought that was fine, however I have noticed in the last week or so that her left foot especially is going a bit east-west, her right doesn't seem to be maybe slightly. Her diet sheet also says to increase from 1/4 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon at 4 months. She is 15 weeks now, and because I have noticed her feet I have increased it to 1 teaspoon. I'm wondering if I should be using something else or doing anything different. She is a show dog so I want to sort out her feet asap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 (edited) calcium ascorbate is a vitamin C linked to calcium. NON ACIDIC - the action in the stomach splits it into calcium, and Vit.C ascorbic ACID - can cause diarrhoea..as it is an acid going into an already acidic environment.. I only ever use calcium ascorbate for me and the dogs sodium ascorbate is also gentle and well absorbed, but too much sodium(salt) is not good for anyone! all just my opinions- am no chemist there are others on here with experience in the foot/leg troubles you can see- hopefully they can help Edited March 19, 2010 by persephone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenWei Posted March 19, 2010 Author Share Posted March 19, 2010 calcium ascorbate is a vitamin C linked to calcium. NON ACIDIC - the action in the stomach splits it into calcium, and Vit.Cascorbic ACID - can cause diarrhoea..as it is an acid going into an already acidic environment.. I only ever use calcium ascorbate for me and the dogs sodium ascorbate is also gentle and well absorbed, but too much sodium(salt) is not good for anyone! all just my opinions- am no chemist Ok thanks. She hasn't really had any diarrhoea. Not that I would link to the powder anyway. Do they have the same outcomes, ie, will they both provide the necessary benefits? Or is one better than the other. Should I not bother with this powder and get something else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottychick Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 calcium ascorbate is metabolised more efficiently by dogs and doesn't cause as much gastric upset. I think (but not sure) you have to use more of the Acid form to get similar results - but then you run the risk of causing stomach upset. If it were me I'd get the gentler form, but I don't supplement with Vit C unless the dog is sick etc. You can always keep the Ascorbic Acid for humans when they need it. Also, Vit C, in any form, may not be utilised well if it's not in combination with other things such as Vitamin E. I also wonder what else is on the diet sheet because the puppy's healthy growth is linked to the total diet, not just one element. Is she on a natural diet? If not, what sort of kibble etc does she get? Does her food already have a vitamin C supplement in it? There is some debate about whether you should supplement puppy's food with Vit C at all and there is broader agreement that too much Vit C can have a bad effect. So you wouldn't want to increase her intake without knowing what you're doing or if it's safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenWei Posted March 19, 2010 Author Share Posted March 19, 2010 Hi Spottychick. Thanks for the info. She is on Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy... however on the diet sheet it did say pro plan performance. It has 30% protein so, her being a large breed I was a bit adverse to put her onto that, so I just put her on Large breed puppy, which I think only has 23% protein. She is almost out of it anyway. I assume the vitamin c was to help her absorb the calcium better. That is all that is on the diet sheet. My 3 year old golden was on pro plan puppy for atleast the first 6 months, his coat was horrible on it though so I put him onto eagle pack, which seemed to fix his coat up a bit. I don't remember him having any issues with east-west feet, but I wasn't looking for them as such. His feet are straight now. He wasn't on vit c. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 Sorry- I didn't explain myself in my post calcium ascorbate provides both calcium and vitamin C in a gentle, easily absorbed form. Ascorbic acid provides vit C in an acidic form which can cause upsets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tilly Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 My guys get Ester C - it was recommended years ago by a rottie breeder who swore by it and guaranteed all their dogs against hip problems if they were given a dose daily. Not sure how accurate that is but the guys get 1/2 a teaspoon every morning - they are feed raw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenWei Posted March 19, 2010 Author Share Posted March 19, 2010 Thanks for the replies. I went looking for Ester C the other day but couldn't find any, mind you I didn't look that hard, just in a couple of chemists. There aren't many health food shops around here so I will try and have another look on the weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottychick Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 I buy Ester C too - I get it online. Easier to find and cheaper. I also feed dogs Eagle Pack IF they have kibble at all. I've heard good things about their formula for large breed pups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 I get my Ester C at a pharmacy- and we shop in a small country town Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenWei Posted March 19, 2010 Author Share Posted March 19, 2010 lol. That's funny, you can get it in a small country town but not in the main pharmacy in Richmond NSW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tilly Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 You might need to order it from some chemists ... just ask them. Online can be cheaper option ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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