Vitamin C Side EffectsIt is so easy to get so confused about side effects of vitamin c if you overdose vitamin c. Some sources say it is dangerous and some that it isn't. Why is it so Well, vitamin c (or ascorbic acid) is one of the important water soluble vitamins. It has several functions. The most important is:
Why give Excess Vitamin C to Dogs?...They produce vitamin c themselves! I think this is one of the reasons of the controversy. And...Often, you use quite excess vitamin c doses in order to obtain good results. That's the other reason of its controversy. Even if dogs produce this nutritional supplement themselves, they certainly can benefit from supplementing. This has been seen in other species, also able to make c vitamin as the dog. Under stress c vitamin levels decreased in the blood, and some benefits in the immune system could be seen when extra c vitamin is added. So the argument may not be water proof - "Dogs don't need c-vitamin because the can make it"... might not be true at all. Side Effects of Vitamin C in GeneralIn most dogs using vitamin c is not a problem. You can use it and see if it works. Being quite confident that vitamin c side effects is very rare in dogs. Perhaps some gastric or slight diarrhea can be seen is few dogs. Not anything dangerous but you have to stop the supplementation. Still, you should ask your veterinarian as in one specific disease you should not use vitamin c. This is important. Overdose Vitamin C and Bladder StonesMany sources tell you vitamin c is beneficial in urinary diseases. This is true as it will make the urine pH much lower. This will certainly have a bacterial killing effect. And as well dissolve some of the urinary crystals and stones seen in dogs. But, not all. Struvite bladder stones will dissolve. Calcium oxalate stones will grow bigger.. or at least not being dissolved. Calcium oxalate crystals or stones are mostly seen in smaller dogs. It is characteristic the are being build in acidic urine (low pH urine). Vitamin c will lower the urine pH. This is not good, as you really wish to make urine less acidic. Not the opposite. This can really be vitamin c side effect if you give your dog c-vitamin if one or more bladder stones of calcium oxalate is present in the bladder. In my opinion you should always be careful to use it or to overdose vitamin c in dogs having the tendency to urinary oxalate calculi. May not be any symptoms in the moment, but you don't want to "make a problem trying to solve another". Especially if your dog is Yorkshire Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Shih Tzus, Poodle, Bichon Frise or an Cocker Spaniel, as these breeds is more phone to this condition. No diet is available to dissolve the stones. Surgery is the only option if they are causing problems like pain, recurrent urinary infections or in male dogs obstruction of the urethra. Bigger dogs don't have the same genetic tendency. So, here you might not have the same dilemma. Other Vitamin C relevant Pages
Facts about vitamin C
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