Omega 3 for the heart

NinkyNonk_2

At a recent check up, the vet found my Cav has a grade 1 heart murmur. From the vet I got Cardiguard which is omega 3 esp for dogs. It cost £25 and was told it will last about 1 month. The vet said I can give her any omega 3, doesn't have to be this one I bought directly from them, but it has to be pure omega 3, nothing added to it. I can't really afford £25 pm so I am looking for a cheaper but just as good alternative to Cardiguard.
Can anyone recommend where I can get omega 3 for my Cav? It has to be liquid form as my dog is TERRIBLE for taking tablets.
Thank you.

Paradigm

Have you thought about sardines?

Rich in omega 3, cheap & full of protein. Most dogs will eat them!

My 2 are fed twice a day & a couple of times a week I substitute sardines for their normal food so the money spent on tins of sardines is recouped by saving some of the normal food, very MSE

foreign_correspondent

Is this the same stuff - and is this cheaper? (I dont know what volume is in the one you bought from the vets)
http://www.vetuk.co.uk/digestive-supplements-dietary-organ-supplements-c-5_143/cardiguard-omega-3-supplement-for-heart-health-43ml-p-4406

Salmon oil may be worth looking into too:
http://www.vetuk.co.uk/digestive-supplements-pet-skin-supplements-c-5_15/salmopet-salmon-oil-for-dogs-and-cats-100ml-p-2644

Sardines are good, and I feed them like paradigm, but I dont know how the omega levels compare to something like the Cardiguard

Paradigm

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

Sardines are good, and I feed them like paradigm, but I dont know how the omega levels compare to something like the Cardiguard

Sardines contain around 2.2 grams omega 3 to 100 grams fish, how this compares to processed stuff I don't know but I'd rather feed sardines & get all the associated minerals, protein etc....

Shoshannah

Salmon oil on the food each day - cheap as chips and rich in omega-3's.

Personally I was taught that omega-3 oils do not benefit dogs with heart disease as the mechanisms behind their heart disease are completely different to human heart disease. I would imagine your Cavvie has valvular disease (most do, an echocardiogram would confirm a diagnosis though) and this is nothing to to with coronary heart disease or all that business. I fail to see how an expensive omega-3 supplement will help his valves, IF these are the problem.

Omega-3's are thought to benefit skin, though. I'd stick to salmon oil, sardines or similar.

Paradigm

Shoshannah wrote: »

Personally I was taught that omega-3 oils do not benefit dogs with heart disease as the mechanisms behind their heart disease are completely different to human heart disease.

I'm intrigued In what way is it different? This is a genuine question as I would have thought that dogs would be just as susceptible to the same conditions we are... granted my knowledge of the canine cardio vascular system is very limited

Shoshannah wrote: »

I would imagine your Cavvie has valvular disease (most do, an echocardiogram would confirm a diagnosis though) and this is nothing to to with coronary heart disease or all that business. I fail to see how an expensive omega-3 supplement will help his valves, IF these are the problem.

Agreed but for the price of a tin of sardines (or salmon oil) it's worth it just for the other benefits that omega 3 is thought to have

Shoshannah wrote: »

Omega-3's are thought to benefit skin, though. I'd stick to salmon oil, sardines or similar.

Not to mention arthritis & a possible link to helping prevent certain cancers.

buddys_mum

i see on vetuk you get points for products you buy, what are they worth? (sorry i know its off topic)

NinkyNonk_2

Shoshannah wrote: »

Salmon oil on the food each day - cheap as chips and rich in omega-3's.

Personally I was taught that omega-3 oils do not benefit dogs with heart disease as the mechanisms behind their heart disease are completely different to human heart disease. I would imagine your Cavvie has valvular disease (most do, an echocardiogram would confirm a diagnosis though) and this is nothing to to with coronary heart disease or all that business. I fail to see how an expensive omega-3 supplement will help his valves, IF these are the problem.

Omega-3's are thought to benefit skin, though. I'd stick to salmon oil, sardines or similar.

The vet did say that there is no evidence that omega 3 will benefit dogs with mitre heart value (which is what my Cav will quite possibly develop in the future) or heart mumurs (which iis what she has now). But she said there is strong possiblity omega 3 will help with heart murmurs and there is no harm, only good, in giving my Cav omega 3 supplements.
My Cav LOVES sardines. Will the tins be good enough or should I buy fresh? I will look into salmon oil too.

Paradigm

Tins are fine & cost pennys

Shoshannah

Paradigm - Unfortunately my knowledge of human cardiovascular systems are limited so you'll have to help me!!! My understanding is that humans tend to suffer from coronary heart disease ie artherosclerosis, and that omega-3's and good cholesterol have been found to help this. Please correct me if I am wrong as my knowledge of this only comes from A-level Biology and margarine adverts.

Dogs on the other hand (and pretty much all domestic species bar the pig) do not get artherosclerosis. Just doesn't happen. Therefore I fail to see the direct benefits of omega-3's for cardiac conditions in dogs. I cannot see any logic behind giving omega-3's for myxomatous valvular disease (the most common heart condition of dogs, especially Cavvies). That said, I agree that they certainly can't do any harm and they are recommended for joint and skin disease in animals. Are they recommended for humans with valvular disease as well as artherosclerosis?

I certainly wouldn't pay for an expensive supplement when natural fish oils are just as good, but that's just my opinion.

Pazu

Hi Shoshannah
I have dodgy valves. As far as I am aware omegas are for general health and artherosclosis. I have been told healthy diet and exercise, no heavy lifting. I took penicillen every day for years because my valves were damaged by viruses. Then I had to take lysineprol to support my heart and eventually valve replacement and warfarin, so no omegas.
HTH
Pazu