Does anyone know if Ester C is safe to give a bitch in the last week of pregnancy?  A couple of my dogs had kennel cough 2 weeks ago, and got over it within days with anti-inflammatory and antibiotics from the vet.  The mum to be didn't seem to get it but had a 5-day course of synulox as a precaution.  I am a bit worried though as she seems a bit snuffly and the pups are due next week.  I know Ester C is a good thing to build up the immune system during kennel cough, but is it safe for her?  Does anyone out there know? 

Hi,
I have just looked through all of my doggy vitamin books,and they all say esterC is extremely safe and fine to give to pregnant animals :) Just dont overdo it,as you know, she will pee out any that her body doesnt need.

Good luck with the babes.

Rose

It is beneficial to the unborn pups as well   but should be given in large doses. There is lots of info on the net regarding vitamin C and is well worth the read especially if you have a bitch you are intending to mate as well as in whelp and nursing bitches.

how much  Ester C should be given to a 10 lb yorkie who is due in three weeks ? and how much and how offten to give to small dogs under 7 lb ? thanks~

Thank you everyone.  The only information I could find on the net about Ester C was that unborn pups could come to rely on it in their prenatal diet and when they don't get it postnatally they are prone to develop scurvy. 

But I will now give her a 1000mg tablets daily for this last week.

Hi, vitC should be given in smallish doses to dogs/pups that are not used to it. Too much of it will cause dire rear, it will not be passed out by urine. If that happens just cut back & gradually increase dosage till you find the dose that agrees with dog/pup without causing dire rear :) Too much won`t cause dependency.
More info on beneficial effects of vitC can be found on Wendell B Oldfields site, think he pioneered the good it can do.
Christine, Spain.