Tips for denosyl, denamarin and vitamin K and other vitamin approaches to dog health

Latest question on stat counter is; "Do I have to give my dog Denosyl at the same time everyday?" I really think that is the choice of the dog owner. I find with all the things I have to do, a structured time is best and easiest to remember. The key thing with Denosyl, Denamarin and vitamin K is it should be given on an empty stomach, either a few hours after the last meal or an hour before. I tried morning for a while, but found it easier to give at bedtime. Really depends on the frequency of the feedings on how you want to do it. If you feed twice a day, with the last feeding at 7, you could give them a pill at bedtime. Otherwise, I would suggest first thing in the morning, an hour before feeding. All other vitamins go in the food bowl with a dollop of fat free yogurt to cover. Macy gets the following: Milk thistle 240mg extra (dandelion, fennel and licorice) 2x a day, Super B complex with vitamin C (look for high values of B12)-morning, 200iu vitamin E-morning(you can find this in liquid form at most natural food stores or in a soft gel at any grocery or drug store). For flea and mosquito control, she also gets 1000 mg of garlic 2x a day and brewers yeast according to package directions and the dogs weight. Macy is a 70lb dog. Please note that the preceeding recommendations are based on a dog of 70lb weight. Please note that you need not spend the extra money to get these from the vet. All of these are available at a good health food store and most are available at your drug or grocery store. I spent 40 dollars for chewable vitamin K at the vet and $12 for vitamin K at the health food store. The vitamin K from the vet lasted me a month, the health food variety lasted 6 months Get yourself a pill splitter at the drug store and get creative with pill hiders. My dogs love fat free yogurt, but you can use low fat or no fat cottage cheese, cream cheese, soft fruit or nut butter. Just steer clear of excess fat, citric acid and any sugar and salt. One other note: If you are home cooking for your dog, it is a good idea to include Taurine in their diet. If you are feeding them on a kibble, prescription or other, check the ingredients. Taurine is a basic amino acid found in the muscle meat. It prevents serious heart and eye disease and has benefits for heart , vision, cell, circulatory and kidney health. However with the advent of the extruder, less and less protein can be used in kibble dog and cat food. It has long been known that cats need this supplement, but recently discovered that not all dogs can make their own Taurine as was once believed. Read the ingredients on the bag. Taurine is always called Taurine, so there is nothing to slip you up. If you do not see Taurine on the label, you can buy supplements at any health food store. I use 500mg 2x a day. For more about Taurine read here. Dick Van Patten makes a wonderful food available at all Petco locations. It is called Natural Balance and has a formula that is perfect for recovering patients of liver disease. It is the fish and sweet potato formula, but do not start it until the blood tests are completely clean. All the Natural Balance foods include Taurine. Just keep the protein as digestible as possible and the starches as low in sugar as possible for a liver disease dog. For more on starting your dog on a healing diet read here. Final note for liver disease: If you do not walk your dog on a regular basis, you must patrol the yard daily. Stools that are runny, white tinged or completely white are a warning sign. . Runny, something you are giving them may not agree. White or white tinged stools means they need a vet's attention. You need to test the blood and urine every three months if you choose to go this method. Urine should be some color of yellow. Dog's and Cat's urine color can be changed by medication, food coloring, hydration or age. If your animal's urine color is brown, orange or red in color, you are more than likely seeing evidence of blood and the animal needs to be seen as soon as possible. Pale yellow to deep yellow is OK. Once again, feel free to post or email if you need help. I hope this answers your questions, but if it doesn't email me at the address under "Upstate lost and found board." I have been given an amazing blessing in my life. It is still day by day, but anything I can do to help makes me happy!