Nervous weakness in dogs - causes and treatment
Dogs can show a variety of different symptoms that affect normal nerve function. These include, for example, a reduction in visual acuity, incontinence, coordination disorders and abnormalities in the dog's movement patterns. Trembling, weakness and anxiety can also indicate an increased nutrient requirement of the nervous system.
If you notice signs of reduced nerve performance in your dog, swift action is required. The nutritional support of nerve function should be considered, as a delay can make it harder to support normal cell function. A needs-based supply is always best. There is quite a lot you can do yourself for the health of your dog's nerves.
B vitamins to support nerve function
To get straight to the point: for optimal nerve function, a dog's body needs vitamins of the B group on a regular basis. These vitamins are important for the preservation of the nerve cells and ensure optimal transmission of information within the nervous system.
Certain B vitamins ensure, for example, that the dog's nerves always receive sufficient energy. A deficiency in these important vitamins can, due to the sensitivity of the nervous system, quickly lead to an impairment of normal nerve function and the associated symptoms, such as trembling or incontinence.
Dealing with symptoms such as incontinence
When house-trained dogs lose droplets of urine or even leave larger amounts of urine or faeces in the home while appearing unconcerned, or wet or soil themselves in their sleep, this is not only unpleasant for dogs. It can be an indication of conditions that affect the nerve pathways.
What is spondylosis? Spondylosis refers to pathological changes in the spine, in which calcifications and bony connections form between the vertebral bodies. Many dogs can live quite well with it, even without the dog owner noticing. However, secondary symptoms such as pain, incontinence, paralysis or coordination disorders can also occur, caused by the damaged nerve pathways.
With such symptoms, veterinary clarification is urgently required. In addition, an optimised nutrient supply can support the normal function of the nerve pathways.
Vitamin B also supports stress resilience
A dog that suffers from stress can be negatively affected by an undersupply of B vitamins. However, an adequate supply of these vitamins can help the animal to face more stressful situations more calmly and not to react in an overly aggressive or anxious manner straight away. Reduced stress resilience can therefore be an indication of an increased nutrient requirement.
B vitamins are particularly important for senior dogs
The symptoms mentioned above often occur as accompanying features of the ageing process. From a certain age, the dog's nerves can no longer function optimally, which can lead to impairments of normal bladder function, similar to us humans. On top of this, in old age the gut's ability to absorb nutrients also declines. So two things come together, and the B vitamins should be supplemented.
It is therefore also advisable to ensure an adequate intake of the important B vitamins nutritionally. The dosage of the individual B vitamins in relation to one another is of decisive importance here, as they form synergies with one another and with other vitamins. It is important to pay attention to the correct dosage, as excess vitamin B is excreted via the urine.
Our daily inspiration is the special moments with our dogs. Here we share this enthusiasm and invite you to become part of the DOG FIT community on our social media channels.
The content of the articles is for general information purposes only and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a veterinarian. This information does not constitute medical advice and should not be construed as such.
