Dog Community

Biotin?

Posted : 12/23/2010 11:03:58 AM

Noel has been plagued with torn pads and toenails.She's got a doosey right now that makes me cringe to look at it.Her nails almost never need trimming as she wears them down on her own.She also has a very thin coat for an Aussie.I have been considering supplementing with Biotin.With horses it's common to topdress feed with Biotin to strengthen hooves.Some of the dog biotin supplements have yeast which I don't know if I like.If I use human grade does anyone know how much for a 36 lb dog?Anyone else use it and does it help? Her food (American Natural Premium) does list biotin but perhaps she needs more?

jennie_c_d

Posted : 12/23/2010 6:29:01 PM

It may list biotin as B7. It goes by both names Smile . It may be included as "vitamin B supplement" or something similar. It is water soluble, though, so it won't hurt to give her more. Raw egg yolks are a good, natural source of biotin.

You might also look into zinc. Lincoln Biotech makes a food and a supplement called ZinPro. The zinc is a special, water soluble, form of zinc, and that could possibly help a LOT. Try it, if upping the biotin doesn't work,

micksmom

Posted : 12/24/2010 7:26:26 PM

Biotin was part of Mick's "senior cocktail". I gave him human grade- a 5,000mcg capsule daily (he was 75 pounds). The guy at the healt food store suggested starting out with half the amount for a week or two.

ETA- Posted before I remembered to add that he also got a Vitamin B Complex capsule daily, which included 50 mcgs of Biotin.

4HAND

Posted : 12/25/2010 7:27:19 AM

Thanks both of you for the feedback.Must the yolk be raw?Will cooking destroy the biotin?

micksmom

Posted : 12/25/2010 12:49:51 PM

4HAND
...Will cooking destroy the biotin?

That I don't know. Raw won't hurt, tho. Caleb gets a raw egg in his breakfast every Saturday with no issues.

erica1989

Posted : 12/26/2010 12:06:43 AM

If she's thin coated - you may want to have her thyroid levels checked. Benny had that issue when I first got him - but since we've started him on thyroid supplements (he's hypothyroid) - his hair has grown in nicely (and he doesn't shed as much)

jennie_c_d

Posted : 12/26/2010 9:44:38 AM

Yes, cooking kills a big part of b vitamins. The white contains avidin, which binds biotin, so if you feed whole eggs, you have to cook the yolk by either soft boiling, or poaching them. If you don't mind tossing the whites, or scrambling them for yourself, just the yolk is fine for the dog Big Smile

4HAND

Posted : 12/27/2010 5:00:41 AM

I will have her thyroid checked.The more I read on the subject , the more I suspect this may be at the root of her problem.She has other symptoms of hypothyroidism as well.Thank you Ericka, this was not even on my radar:)