i would like to start adding epo to my shih-tzu's diet but am unsure of the measurements,my dogs both weigh 6 kilo,also do you pop the capsules down their throat like a worming tablet or put it on their food,does it matter?just as long as the swallow it?
i know it gives them a shinier coat but are there other benefits to feeding it?

thanks

christine

No more than 1 capsule for that weight.
You can get in liquid or capsule just shove down throat or pierce and squeeze if dog allergic to gelatin. GLA (Gamma Linoleic Acid) and Vitamin E usually good for hormonal balance and skin/hair.

Hi Christine,
EPO helps the coat if it's very dry (out of condition), and is supposed to be good for skin as well, eg. dandruff, scratching. I have read on the board that the capsules intended for human use don't actually 'dissolve' when dogs swallow them, and come back out whole! (though I'm not saying this from personal experience!). I do give my dogs capsules, but they're for animals, from Dorwest Herbs, and they have two capsules each - if they are 500 mg, the dosage is 1 capsule for every 10kg of dog's weight. If I disguise them in food, the dogs spit them out, so I just pop them down their throat before a meal. I'm still not sure whether the actual capsule encasing is made any different for animals than humans - perhaps someone else will know?!
Hilda

I have just started giving my dog primrose oil intended for human use and I havent noticed it coming straight out the other end but he does chew it and pierce the capsule so I know he is getting the oil

Hi, surely the digestive juices of a dog can reduce bone quickly so wouldn't be daunted by a capsule? I too, would be interested if anyone does actually know. I statred giving my dull coated Lab one a day since I got her and her coat shows great improvement - so she must be digesting/making use them?

If you drop one of these capsules in warm water it does start to dissolve so I should think any digestive juices,which are after all more acidic than water would break down the capsule aswell. Gillian

Thanks for all of your replies:) i'll ring a holistic vet on Monday and i'll let you all know. i think if we can digest them surely the dogs can.

christine

Well, i spoke to my holistic vet today and she said it's a big no-no to give dogs anything intended for human consumption,but i honestly cannot tell the difference between doggy EPO and the human kind??? i am very aware that some vets can be very narrow/close minded so i take most of what they say with a pinch of salt:) I would really like to hear from folks who regularly supplement their dogs diet with "human" EPO and if it has made a difference.

thanks

Christine

I regularly give both my dogs EPO designated for human consumption; there is no difference. Your vet probably meant well but her comments should apply to actual drugs rather than supplements etc. If you feel uncomfortable about it then Dorwest supply EPO capsules and liquid for dogs.

Thanks Tohme,
i will continue feeding the human type then! They do sell dog EPO there, but at extremely inflated prices,which makes me unsure of the motives behind her comments? I'm more inclined to side with you folks who are already supplementing with it,nothing beats experience;)

christine

Funny how vets want you to buy their EPO isn't it? Several years ago, one vet at my practice didn't see any benefits of giving EPO at all until they started stocking Viacutan and then I was offloaded with boxes of the stuff.

Personally I prefer Flax Oil to EPO.

Flaxseed is different to EPO; the former is rich in EFA Omega 3s, the latter GLA and Omega 6s. If you are looking to add EFA Omega 3s IMHO fish oil is usually better metabolised by dogs and flax, can, in some dogs, be an irritant. In general dogs do best with the majority of their foods, supplements etc being animal based rather than grain based.

Omega 6 does not generally need supplementing in dogs that eat grain fed meat. Also Fish Body Oil is better assimilated by a lot of dogs because it is an "active" oil and does not need to be synthesised by enzymatic action by the dog. Flax seed is "inactive" and whether it is bio-available to the dog depends on whether it has the necessary enzymes; some dogs, for various reasons, do not.

Both of mine get a 1000mg capsule a day, they weigh in between 25 and 28kgs. Both chew them, neither need it disguising in food, they both think it's treats ;)
It works wonders for their coat. I use the ones intended for human use, as they're miles cheaper than the dog version, in fact they even sell them in the Pound Shop.
I find the people selling them specifically for dogs are usually trying to rip you off ;) I'm fairly sure it's exactly the same stuff.
Lisa
xx