Benefits of Fish Oil for Arthritis

[k9diabetes]

Dr. Nancy Kay, author of Speaking for Spot and an internal medicine specialist in California, recently posted the results of a study of the benefits of fish oil supplements for arthritis.

http://speakingforspot.com/blog/

Here’s what the studies showed.Compared to the placebo group, the dogs receiving omega-3 fatty acids had a significantly improved ability to rise from a resting position and play by six weeks after beginning supplementation, and improved ability to walk by 12 weeks.Additionally, compared to the control group, dogs receiving the fish oil had improved weight bearing on the affected limbs as assessed by force-plate analysis (an extremely humane testing method).No significant adverse side effects from the fish oil supplementation were reported.

We used fish oil for Chris for general anti-inflammatory properties and to help control his allergies.

Natalie

[bogeysmom]

Re: Benefits of Fish Oil for Arthritis

We used fish oil for Chris for general anti-inflammatory properties and to help control his allergies.

Natalie

That's great to hear. It didn't effect his bg #'s at all?
Do you know what the dosage amount is for dogs?

Thanks Stacey

[Patty]

Re: Benefits of Fish Oil for Arthritis

Hi Stacey,
I use fish oil with Ali. We mainly use it to decrease inflammation caused by allergies but I would think dosing is the same.

I had this discussion with Eric a while back when he was looking into it:

Hi Eric,
Fish oil is a great Omega 3 supplement. I wouldn't give cod liver oil though as it has the addition of vitamin A in it. Here's an excerpt from Wiki explaining: "...the preferred source of omega-3 should be from the fish's body, not the liver. The liver and liver products (such as cod liver oil) of fish and many animals (such as seals and whales) contain omega-3, but also the active form of vitamin A. At high levels, this form of the vitamin can be dangerous." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_oil

One thing to look for is that the fish oil is free of contaminants such as mercury. Also watch out for those that are flavored, many use orange or lemon. I use the Carlson brand for Ali. Here's a link: http://www.carlsonlabs.com/product_detail.phtml?prodid=10012879&categid=0014

I usually order from iherb.com: http://www.iherb.com/Carlson-Labs-Super-Omega-3-Fish-Oil-500-mg-100-30-Free-Soft-Gels/2799?at=0

My holistic vet helped me with dosing. She said dosing is typically 180mg EPA/10 lb of dog per day. (There's 300mg EPA per gel cap in the Carlson Super Omega 3) That's 3 gel caps for Ali - she's between 48-49lbs. We decided to only do 2 and she did well with that.

Fish oil is something to add slowly otherwise you end up with loose stools. I didn't go back and see what Sable weighs but you can always puncture the cap and squirt about 1/2 on her food for a week and gradually build up to a full cap. Ali didn't have any problem with adding 1 gel cap. I added the 2nd to her other meal a week later.

Fish oil can also cause the body oxidative stress so vit E is usually added to combat this effect. Here's one article that addresses this: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/news/20000410/exercise-vitamin-e The Carlson brand has 10 IU added. Ali also gets additional vitamins B, C, and E to help support her immune system.

I hope that helps!
Patty

http://k9diabetes.com/forum/showthre...7918#post17918

Any time you supplement with fish oil or vitamin C, vitamin E should be added to prevent oxidative stress on the body. You can read further in Eric's thread or ask if you have any questions

Take care,
Patty
p.s. That's a great article Natalie

[bogeysmom]

Re: Benefits of Fish Oil for Arthritis

Hi Patty,
Thanks! That info really helps alot too. We have a health food store nearby that has the Carlson tabs. Is the vitamin E (10 IU) that is in the Super Omega 3 enough supplementation or would you recommend more? I know you said you give extra B,C and E to Ali to support her immune system. If you don't mind me asking... how much of those vitamins do you give her? It's nice that you have a holistic vet that you can go too. We don't have one (that I've found) nearby and Bogey doesn't like traveling so we wouldn't want to put undo stress on him. BTW : Your Ali is a very pretty girl. Thanks again for all your help and info


stacey

[Patty]

Re: Benefits of Fish Oil for Arthritis

Hi Stacey,

Bogey is 81 lbs? I would supplement vit E above the 10IU that's in the fish oil. I use 400IU for Ali. There are a lot of different recommendations out on how much vit E to give. I read where some sites say vit E dosing is 2.6 to 3 IU per pound and another is 4 to 8IU per pound of dog, but no more than 400IU regardless of weight. I give Ali the NOW brand 400IU vit E.

Honestly, I'd start with the vitamin E, adding that for a week.
Then start with 1 of the fish oil gel caps which is 1000mg. Hide the cap in with his morning meal and see how he does for a week. Then, if you want he's a large enough dog you could add a 2nd gel cap to his evening meal.

Are you looking to use it for arthritic reasons? I'd just stick with 2 for now and see what kind of results you get.

You asked about the vit B and C as well. Here's a good article on vitamins and dosing: http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter...s-supplements/

Here's another link on Recommended Daily Allowances: http://rdafordogs.blogspot.com/2007/07/vitamins.html
In a note at the bottom, the RDA article talks about how dogs are able to use glucose in the liver to produce ascorbic acid, and if you supplement it (the vit C), you also need to add vit E to prevent oxidative stress and overdosing iron absorption.

This is what I use for vit B, C:
Ali's vit B: http://www.b-naturals.com/aspen-bcomplex-60-tabs-p-65
vit C: I've used a vitamin C I got at Target. The brand was Origin. Here's a similar product. http://www.target.com/Origin-Vitamin...ank&rh=&page=1 Only mine was 500mg.
Right now I'm using Nature's Harbor: http://www.dnevitamins.com/item.asp?PID=887&1=Go

Hope that helps!
Patty

[bogeysmom]

Re: Benefits of Fish Oil for Arthritis

Hi Stacey,

Bogey is 81 lbs? I would supplement vit E above the 10IU that's in the fish oil. I use 400IU for Ali. There are a lot of different recommendations out on how much vit E to give. I read where some sites say vit E dosing is 2.6 to 3 IU per pound and another is 4 to 8IU per pound of dog, but no more than 400IU regardless of weight. I give Ali the NOW brand 400IU vit E.


Are you looking to use it for arthritic reasons? I'd just stick with 2 for now and see what kind of results you get.

Hi Patty, Thanks for all the info. I went ahead and started with 200IU vit. E with his dinner. I will start with one fish oil tab next week and add another after that week. Yes I will be using it mainly for arthritic reasons (although he does seem to have seasonal allergies). He is currently taking 75 mg. of Rimadyl 2xs a day also. The vet also did x-rays of his hips when we took him in for the diagnosis of diabetes. So anything else that can help alleviate his pain/discomfort, I am all for.
I'm going to read into to info on B & C and the chart for the RDA allowances is great.

[Patty]

Re: Benefits of Fish Oil for Arthritis

Sounds like a great plan! I hope it helps!

Just a note if Bogey ever has surgery you'll need to stop the E and fish oil as they thin the blood.

I had to do this when Ali had surgery for a bump on her tail.

Take care,
Patty

[peggy0]

Re: Benefits of Fish Oil for Arthritis

Is there any evidence that fish oil helps inflammation in the eyes of dogs with cataracts or that have had cataract surgery?

[CraigM]

Re: Benefits of Fish Oil for Arthritis

Peggy,
Don't have any data, might look around the 'net, but Annie's eye vet has told us to empty a 1000-1200 mg fish oil capsule into her food daily.

Annie & Craig

[Patty]

Re: Benefits of Fish Oil for Arthritis

Never thought about it helping with inflammation of the eyes. That's a good question. Let me know if you find anything. As Craig said, would be worth fishing about the internet.

Patty

[CraigM]

Re: Benefits of Fish Oil for Arthritis

Found several articles concerning fish oil on the 'net. Looks like some people think fish oil will cure / help just about everything under the sun!

http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-...-fish-oil.html

Craig


This link doesn't seem to work. Google is our friend!

[k9diabetes]

Re: Benefits of Fish Oil for Arthritis

I haven't read it yet but there's an article in Discover this month on the many benefits of fish oil.

Natalie

[peggy0]

Re: Benefits of Fish Oil for Arthritis

I would think thats why he would tell you to do that Craig. Once Forbin is regulated, I think I'm going to try this. The reading I've done indicates its good for dry eye. Doesn't mention inflammation. I'll have to run this by forbins eye dr. thanks all

[ravenecw]

Re: Benefits of Fish Oil for Arthritis

No side effects at all with the fish oil or vit e with Sable. She gets one Carlson's fish oil and 100iu of vit e daily.

Not sure what it helps or not however with all the benefits of fish oil I take it myself and give it to Sable, I know not everything good for me is necessarily good for Sable but in this case I believe it can't hurt.