Hi,

I have been reading some posts about the use of Folic acid and am considering using it. However, I was wondering whether I was too late to start my bitch on it now as she is due for a mating today.

Thanks

hi i started mine off from the first day of her season,im not sure if its to late now ,but i wouldnt have thought so .

I've heard of people taking folic acid, is it giving to dogs for the same reason?

I give it to my girls as soon as they come in season and continue until they've whelped.  You can't overdose as anything the body doesn't need comes out in their wee.  I also give Wheatgerm oil from the same sort of time, till 3 weeks post mating.

I hadn't heard of other breeds using it - we do with RRs to help to prevent dermoid sinus.  I keep my entire bitches on it, but better to start now than not all.

I was told that you should only use it for the first few weeks as it can cause problems??????  Actually I don't use anything except give them good food etc, but they are eating that anyway :d  They eat better than me actually!

More and more studies are being done on folic acid, apparently it helps prevent cancer of the stomach and reduces the risk of cleft palate pups:-

Hugh Adam Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Otago University Medical School, PO Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Folic acid has been shown to prevent neural tube defects in humans, but its effects on other defects is unknown. In a consistent breeding programme of Boston terrier dogs started in 1974, folic acid supplementation (5 mg/day) was introduced in 1981. The frequency of cleft palate fell from 9/51 (17.6%) without folic acid to 8/191 (4.2%) after its introduction, giving a reduction of 76% (95% confidence limits 42%-90%, p = 0.003).

Having had one cleft palate pup in the past, we've used it ever since, maybe it's just luck ;) but we've not had one since :).

HI,

What sort of doseage should I give to a 25kg bitch??

Thanks

If Folic acid is given, 5 mg/day is a recomended dosage to a 35kg bitch. Don't think you need to reduce the dose for a smaller bitch, humans take the same, whether they are 50 kg or 150 kg :-D
In RRs as Ridgielover said, we give it to reduce the number of dermoid sinuses. For us it's during the first trimester (first 3 weeks of preganacy) it might make a difference, after 3 weeks it's too late anyway, as the spine is created by then. For cleft palates I don't know, but as long as it's given no later than from first day of mating, you can't go far wrong. It's not too late, anyway. I haven't heard any facts about it having any sideeffects, but maybe someone else who has, will come along.
Good luck,
Karen

Thanks for that. Lara was mated last night but I will nip  out and buy some today and start her on it. I have never had cleft palates (thank goodness) but they are quite a common occurrence down some lines in sams.

I am most grateful for your help.