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The reasons we could be lacking in vitamins or certain vitamins are many, but consider this one for just a minute. The fruit and vegetables we eat in most cases are not organically grown. They are grown via mass production to satisfy a big demand. In having to keep up with this huge demand, the plants are artificially grown with the use of chemicals, in some cases even hormones, as well as a variety of other unnatural products, thereby robbing them of a lot of their natural health giving properties.

Eggs, in most cases are not free range either and are bought from battery hen farms--which means mass production, lesser quality.

If the wholesome food we feed our dogs has been depleted of some vitamins, what should we do? Hope for the best and wait for reproductive problems, failing health, disease and deteriorated overall condition tell us it's time to do something? Or step in and prevent all of this from happening?

If you have a body deficient in vitamins and minerals, or even a single vitamin, instantly the door to disease and many other disorders is open.

For prevention, I maintain my dogs on a multivitamin supplement, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, essential fatty acids, vitamin A & D in the form of cod liver oil during the winter and autumn months and flaxseed oil supplement.

If the need ever arises for treatment of a specific disorder or illness, certain other vitamins or minerals are used in different dosages to counteract the problem or to assist the orthodox treatment mode. I've had great success with this and have case histories in full. I have experienced significant results in the areas of reproduction and whelping. Stillbirths and weak puppies have decreased to almost non-existent, and the overall health of my dogs thankfully is excellent.

I can safely say that in all the years I've been using the above-mentioned supplements, I've never witnessed any harm to unborn fetuses or their mothers. Nor have I ever had a case of any disorder related to vitamin imbalance or vitamin over-supplementation.


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Vitamins And Their Uses For Dogs

I'll begin this section by clearly stating I am a firm believer in vitamin therapy and vitamins as prevention. I've used vitamins for optimum results in maintaining health. During times of illness, I've used vitamin therapy in conjunction with orthodox medicine. I've found that this can work very well without contradiction. One has no effect on the other, and they work well together.

Vitamins can reduce the time your dog remains ill, and their response is dramatic. Most dogs kept on a healthy diet, maintained in a hygienic environment and given multi-vitamins for maintaining good health seldom become sick. On the occasion that they do succumb to ill health, these individuals bounce back at a much faster rate than the less fortunate individuals who haven't had the same management.

Different vitamins are used to treat different problems and for different times in a dog's life. The following vitamins are what I give my dogs daily. Firstly a good multi-vitamin preparation. It is important to take particular notice of exactly what vitamins are listed.

As with all vitamins, however, more does not necessarily mean better and the correct balance should be maintained to avoid overdose. Read label instructions recommending dosage and also discuss this with your vet.

Cod liver oil is given twice a week during the winter months or if a dog is given calcium. Cod liver oil is essential when there is a lack of sunshine, as vitamin D is also derived from the sun. A zinc preparation is given through winter and autumn or if a dog's skin and coat isn't in good condition. These dogs will be kept on the supplement throughout the whole year. Zinc is also essential for reproduction.................