Vitamin C Vitamin C has long been considered the cure for the common cold in humans. In pets, it has been thought to prevent hip dysplasia, cure feline leukemia, and prevent urinary tract infections. We doubt that its use will prevent a dog that genetically carries the trait of hip dysplasia from developing this condition. However, we have worked with several animals that had clinical hip dysplasia, that when given high levels of vitamin C, seemed to exhibit fewer signs of joint pain. It did not cure the condition, but it did seem to allow the patient to better live with the problem. In the case of bladder infections, as in human medicine, we believe that vitamin C is unusual in that it is excreted unchanged totally via the kidneys, and it therefore, acidifies the urine. This makes the bladder a much less hospitable place for bacteria to live. Most of the bacteria that cause cystitis (bladder infection) survive much better in environments that have an alkaline pH. Therefore, by acidifying the urine with vitamin C, these organisms are often eliminated. This is the reason many women are told to drink large quantities of cranberry juice by their doctors when they have cystitis. As far as its use in viral diseases like the common cold or feline leukemia, in all honesty, there is little evidence of its value. At the same time, we would readily admit that vitamin C can do no harm when used. As we stated, it is excreted unchanged via the urine. Forms of Vitamin C: We know that vitamin C exists in two forms: as dehydroascorbic acid and as ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is easily hydrolyzed (mixed with water) and therefore, it is readily absorbed through the intestinal wall. Likewise, it easily enters the urine to exit the body. Very little is stored within the body and the minute amount that is, is contained within the adrenal gland. Ascorbic acid can be fed or it can be manufactured within the body from glucose. Unlike dogs and cats, guinea pigs and humans cannot manufacture vitamin C so their only source is in their diet. Therapeutic Uses: Ascorbic acid plays many important functions in bone formation. It is involved in bone growth as well as bone mineralization. Deficiencies of ascorbic acid result in the syndrome known as scurvy. Dogs with scurvy exhibit weak bones and swollen joints usually accompanied by severe tissue hemorrhaging. Scurvy has not been reported in cats. In young dogs, scurvy is sometimes referred to as hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD). Dogs with HOD generally exhibit swollen, painful joints especially of the limbs. The swollen areas are the portions of the long bones that are growing. We might add here that a lack of vitamin C is only one factor in HOD. There are other causes of HOD that are unrelated to a vitamin C deficiency. A puppy may have HOD, but have perfectly adequate amounts of vitamin C. With this in mind, it is easily explained that only some patients with HOD will respond to vitamin C therapy. Vitamin C is definitely justified as a supplement, especially in fast-growing puppies and in lactating bitches. It is not, however, a cure of hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a genetic conformational abnormality and vitamin C cannot alter genetics. It may help alleviate the pain associated with dysplastic hips, but hip dysplasia is genetic and not nutritional. Whether the dog is in pain or not, or whether vitamin C does or does not help, the dog is still dysplastic and should be treated as such. Vitamin C has been used with varying degrees of success in helping prevent the formation of some bladder stones in dogs and cats. The vitamin C makes the urine more acidic and maintaining an acid urine helps discourage the creation of most stone types. In conclusion, vitamin C is widely used as a supplement in growing, pregnant, lactating, stressed, and working pets. There are numerous vitamin C supplements available. There is no concern for vitamin C toxicity. Reference: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&articleid=712 所以VitC可以用來當作幼犬或是泌乳犬的補充品，關節保護，可以改善尿路炎症情形， 也可以酸化尿液，預防鹼性結石的形成。至於犬到底有哪些結石呢?可以參考下面網址。 http://www.crazy4dog.com/learning/list.asp?id=171 所以如果是屬於54%的鹼性磷酸胺鎂結石患犬時，除了處方飼料外，可以考慮VitC的給予。 至於如果是屬於28%的酸性草酸鈣結石患犬時，可能就必須控制VitC的給予。 至於如何知道結石的種類，或是尿液的酸鹼性??去看獸醫時，可以請醫師檢驗。 --

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