→ qzpm:正常犬本身即可合成維他命C，不需要特別的補充。 09/08 01:43
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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