Dog & Cod Liver Oil = bad tummy

[MissCommando]

We're looking after my Auntie's old lab. She has just started giving her a spoonful of Seven Seas oil in the morn. The dog's tummy is constantly gargling and she's pooed twice in the house now without realising (she doesn't normally). Is it common for this to happen? We've stopped giving her this for the time being. Thanks

[barking-mad]

Hi MissC,

I think you're wise to discontinue the use of cod liver oil for now. It's obviously upsetting her tummy and she'll be miserable at having accidents in the house and feeling off colour. No fun for you either! ;)

Another concern is that CLO is safe to give to dogs but only in certain quantities. It is rich in Vitamin A and is found in most pet foods. If the combined amount is too high then it can be toxic for the liver.

A couple of alternatives: Firstly, your aunt could try giving her a small tin of pilchards or sardines once a week mixed in with her food. She'll still be getting the occasional fish oils which will help with her old joints and it'll make her coat glossy too. Secondly, glucosamine is now recommended for dogs to help ease arthritis and joint deterioration. I've heard of a number of dogs who had improved mobility a couple of months after they'd been given it. It seems a while to wait for the benefits to be felt but well worth persisting with.

I hope the poor old Lab settles in the next 24 hours. A small dose of Pepto Bismal (5mls for a Lab.. and yes, it is safe to give to dogs but NOT cats) should settle her tummy and stop the runs if it still persists in a day or two.

[turdbird]

charcoal tablets are a better alternative to give to a pet.

[gelda]

Good answer barking-mad, My brother has 2 labs and he was advised by his vet not to give dogs cod liver oil supplements because of the high vit a content, they now get a glucosamine tablet once a day and a tin of sardines twice a week, no more upset tums :-}

[wendilla]

Hi I have a golden lab he is nearly 12.. 2 years ago I started giving him 1 cod liver oil capsule not the really expensive ones just the cheaper brand and since he has been on them his coat has improved he does not moult at all hardly as before his hair used to come out in handfuls . He isalready on 1 tablet daily from vets for athritis and vet said it was ok to give him a cod liver oil capsule daily but not to give him the stronger oil in bottles. Maybe he is missing your aunt labs can be very sensitive.Mine ran off once when he was a pup and when I got him back home I put him in his basket and said stay there till my daughter comes home..We had to sell that basket as nothing would make him go in it..And to this day if you mention basket he stops and looks at me with an expression on his face.But he is the most faithful dog now.

[Shona2761]

I would certainly try glucosamine capsules. I have an 11 year old Dobie who was getting a bit stiff with age but, after giving her one 500mg capsule per day after her meals (recommended by a vet friend) she no longer struggles to get out of her bed and her coat is better too!
Bearing in mind that Dobies can have "funny tummies" I have had no problems with loose stools with her on glucosamine.
Hope you get it sorted out.

[bessieboo5]

Has anyone tried Arthriti-UM paste? My dog (who is 11 and been run over once, had a ruptured cruciate ligament also) and suffers greatly from arthritis was put on �50 tablets from the vet which did no good at all. I bought him some of this paste (from Pets At Home - �20 but can get it on ebay cheaper) and within 3 months he is like his is a puppy again! Amazing! Totally different dog and I love him SO much! My other dogs have a tiny bit of super solvitax oil twice a week which does their coat good. Don't overdo it though or it agrivates their coat and they start scratching! Good luck x