Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Vitamin E effects on pain and lameness in dogs with osteoarthritis
By Gordon, Casey L et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2023·Department of Surgery, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: A blinded, placebo-controlled study on the clinical effects of vitamin E supplementation in dogs with osteoarthritis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 57 large-breed dogs with osteoarthritis (a painful joint condition) was given either vitamin E or a placebo for 90 days to see if it would help with their pain and mobility. Unfortunately, the results showed that vitamin E did not improve their lameness, pain levels, or overall quality of life, and it didn't reduce the need for additional pain relief medications. Owners and veterinarians did not notice any positive changes after the treatment period, suggesting that vitamin E may not be effective for managing osteoarthritis in dogs.
People also search for: dog osteoarthritis treatment · vitamin E for dogs arthritis · dog joint pain relief options
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Vitamin E has a positive effect in the management of osteoarthritis in humans, and in a previous study of dogs. It has been suggested to decrease C-reactive protein concentrations and liver enzyme activities in humans and animals. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of vitamin E supplementation on lameness, pain, pain medication requirement, clinical pathology variables, and quality of life in large-breed dogs with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. ANIMALS: Fifty-seven client-owned dogs with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. METHODS: Dogs received either vitamin E or placebo for 90 days in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, prospective clinical trial. Clinical lameness scores, pain medication requirements, and owner questionnaires were used to assess response to treatment every 30 days. Blood samples were collected at enrollment and at the end of the study period. RESULTS: Vitamin E administration did not improve pain, lameness, or quality of life as assessed by owners and veterinarians. Vitamin E supplementation did not decrease the requirement for rescue pain relief. No changes in clinical pathology variables were observed after 90 days of vitamin E supplementation. Body weight was negatively associated with the lameness scores and requirement for rescue pain relief. CONCLUSION: Vitamin E supplementation did not have any observable positive effects in dogs with naturally occurring osteoarthritis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37522795/