Vitamin C

Vitamin C 

Vitamin C is an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory, and helps maintain collagen health.  It is routinely recommended by holistic veterinarians for many conditions including cancer, joint diseases and disorders, bacterial infections, and respiratory conditions.  

Dosages:
Dogs typically produce Vitamin C at approximately 18 mg. per pound of body weight. 
This amount is considered by many veterinarians to be the “maintenance” dose needed when extra Vitamin C supplementation is recommended.  So a 60-lb. dog may have a dosage of 1,000 mg. of Vitamin C recommended by a veterinarian.  Though Chance’s recommended dosage is 500 mg. and she weighs 60-ish pounds.

Selecting A Supplement:
When buying Vitamin C supplements, look for products that are as pure as possible without fillers.  USP pure labeled products are best.  
Powdered and crystal forms are the easiest to give.

For dogs that have formed stones or are at risk for stone formation, your veterinarian should assist you in picking the correct form to use.

Commonly Available Forms Of Vitamin C:
1.) Ascorbic Acid
The naturally occurring form of Vitamin C.  
Gives many Vitamin C supplements their tart taste.
Not efficiently absorbed in large, single doses or high concentrations so smaller, more frequent doses would need to be given.  
Can cause diarrhea.
Taste may be an issue.

2.) Ascorbyl Palmitate
An oil-soluble form called of Vitamin C used to increase the shelf life of cooking oils and potato chips.
Absorption is approximately 3 times more efficient that Ascorbic Acid but it is approximately 6 times more expensive and cell membrane protection has only been demonstrated in a test tube.

3.) Calcium Ascorbate
A salt form of Vitamin C.
It is easily absorbed and causes few side effects such as diarrhea or heartburn.
Considered by many veterinarians to be the best form for horses.
Ester C is a patented form of Calcium Ascorbate. 

4.) Sodium Ascorbate
A salt form of Vitamin C
It is easily absorbed.
It is the only form of vitamin C approved by the FDA for intravenous injection in humans.  The preferred form for oral megadoses in humans because it does not irritate the intestinal tract and the excess is easily eliminated without harm to the kidneys.
Probably the best for dogs that form stones.