WHITE-E^® vitamin supplement for dogs

Over recent years, studies in laboratory animals and horses have reported that a programmed dose of Vitamin E leading up to a race can help improve race day stamina in animals that "lack strong finishing ability", "fail to last the distance" in longer races, or "fade in the home straight" although fit in all other ways. This special dose program has been successfully used in greyhounds that "fade" in the home straight, or lack endurance in longer distance races.

Step 1: The greyhound must be given at least 100IU WHITE-E daily for at least 7-10 days to build up Vitamin E reserves.

Step 2: On the morning before the last handslip or trial before the race (eg 3-4 days before the race) miss the WHITE-E in the feed.

Step 3: Next day, after the greyhound is "galloped" over 200-300 meters, allow the greyhound to cool down for 10-15 minutes. Then give 200-300IU WHITE-E mixed into 20-30mL of milk by syringe over the back of the tongue, before giving water or food. Food and water can be given 20-30 minutes after the WHITE-E.

Step 4: Continue giving 100-200IU of WHITE-E up to, and including, the morning of the race.

Note: Ideally the double dose should be given within 48-72 hours of the race to obtain the best benefit.

When feeding diets that are boosted with fat and polyunsaturated cooking oils it is important to supplement with Vitamin E. This vitamin is an anti-oxidant which prevents the uncontrolled oxidation of polyunsaturated fats into harmful compounds in muscle cells. For every tablespoon of fat added to the diet, give an extra 20 IU of Vitamin E above the basic supplementary level of 50 IU per day. Half a scoop of WHITE-E powder contains 100IU of Vitamin E.

Any factor that increases the metabolic rate of an animal will increase the rate of oxidation and the level of free radical production inside body cells. Adequate Vitamin E must be available during these periods of increased metabolism to avoid cell damage.

The major factors that increase oxidation in greyhounds are:

Exercise - Physical exertion is the major contributor to free radical production in athletic animals such as greyhounds. With exercise, more oxygen is consumed to produce energy to fuel working muscles and greater levels of free radicals are produced. This increases their need for anti-oxidants such as Vitamin E to avoid tissue damage. If inadequate Vitamin E is available in muscle cell membranes muscle damage and degeneration can occur. This may be seen as reduced stamina, muscle weakness, poor racing performance and possibly muscle cramping. The heart muscle can also be affected and in severe cases of Vitamin E deficiency dogs have died from heart failure.

Pregnancy and growth - Pregnancy and growth both increase body metabolism and therefore increase free radical production. A deficiency of Vitamin E can lead to reduced sperm production in stud dogs, lowered fertility in bitches, low litter size and the birth of weak or dead pups.

Stress and Nervousness - Physical and emotional stress can increase the rate of body metabolism. Nervy animals often have a higher metabolic rate, and may require a higher dietary intake of Vitamin E, compared to their more placid kennel mates.

Injury, inflammation and infection - Tissue damage caused by injury or infection leads to increased free radical production. This can worsen or prolong the disease process and delay recovery. A Vitamin E deficiency has been shown to impair the immune system of dogs making them less able to respond to infections and to recover from injuries.

High fat diets - Diets high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (eg from vegetable oils) increase the level of lipid oxidation and free radical production in cell membranes. Extra Vitamin E is required as the fat content of the diet increases.

Higher doses of vitamin E are also useful to calm greyhounds. The dose rate required to help settle nervy dogs is 3–4 times higher than the normal rate used to supplement the diet. For example, the normal dose of 100 IU daily (WHITE-E) can be increased to 300 IU on the morning before, and the morning of travelling or trialling. This dose will sometimes help settle nervous types so they relax more during travelling and when kennelled prior to racing. Doses such as this one are often used to increase the stamina and endurance of greyhounds over large distances.

Vitamin E supplements can be found in 2 different forms, although one form is superior to the other. Products such as WHITE-E contain a natural form of vitamin E known as d-alpha-tocopheryl. This natural form is fat soluble, readily absorbed and stored in the body prolonging the duration of effect.

The other form of vitamin E is a synthetic man-made substance known as dl-alpha-tocopheryl
(Note- the “dl” in front of the synthetic form). This form of vitamin E is water soluble and consequently not stored in the body; it is also not readily absorbed and contains fewer antioxidants than natural vitamin E.

Use caution when selecting a vitamin E supplement for your greyhound. Products that only state the vitamin content simply as “Vitamin E” usually contain the cheaper synthetic form of vitamin E.

• Muscle weakness
• Lack of stamina
• Poor racing performance
• Lowered fertility in both bitches and dogs
• Reduced immune response to infections
• Skin disorders
• Heart muscle degeneration