What is vitamin E + selenium?

Vitamin E and selenium are essential nutrients with antioxidant properties. 

Vitamin E (Elevate® W.S., Elevate® Maintenance Powder, EmulsiVit® E-300, Vital E®-500, Aquasol® E Drops, Nano-E®) may be used alone to treat various skin conditions, including immune-mediated skin disease, and may also be used in treatment of pets with liver disease. Vitamin E may be supplemented if a patient is deficient in vitamin E due to pancreatic and gastrointestinal disease, dietary deficiencies, or genetics. Vitamin E has been shown to help treat pets with cognitive dysfunction.

Selenium works synergistically with vitamin E to support the immune system and prevent oxidative damage to the cells. Selenium deficiency can lead to loss of muscle function and other health issues, especially in species with special dietary needs, such as reptiles.  

Vitamin E combined with selenium (Equ-SeE®, MU-SE®, BO-SE®, E-SE®)  has a variety of uses in animals. There are several vitamin E + selenium veterinary products available, including generic forms, as well as human generic forms. It is often used to treat animals with specific dietary deficiencies or diseases, including:

• Joint diseases such as arthritis in dogs
• Pansteatitis in cats
• Liver disease, “mulberry heart disease”, and white muscle disease in sows, weanling pigs, and baby pigs
• Selenium-tocopherol deficiency (STD) syndromes (white muscle disease) in ewes and lambs 
• White muscle disease in calves and breeding cows
• Inflammation in the muscles and neurological disease in horses

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not review non-drug health supplements (e.g., herbals, nutraceuticals, shampoos, and other supplements) for safety or effectiveness before they are sold to the public. Manufacturers of non-drug health supplements must ensure their supplements are safe and labeled accurately. 

The FDA requires that these non-pharmaceuticals contain a disclaimer that says, “This supplement is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.” Health Canada licenses “veterinary health supplements” after reviewing safety, efficacy, and manufacturing information provided by the manufacturer. These supplements are not tested by Health Canada.

Your veterinarian is the best source of information about the safety of non-drug health supplements in pets. Just because a supplement is natural does not mean it is safe. All medicines and medicinal plants are potentially toxic if used inappropriately or given at high doses. Supplements can also have side effects, like pharmaceuticals. Few supplements and herbs have been subjected to rigorous scientific trials to determine their efficacy. 

Although the information in this handout may be helpful, it may also be incomplete and may not represent the full range of effects the supplement could have on your pet.

How do I give my pet vitamin E + selenium?

• Vitamin E + selenium may be given orally (by mouth) or by injection. 
• Oral forms of veterinary products often come as powder or liquid solution.
• Oral supplements are best absorbed when given with food.
• Follow your veterinarian’s directions and use supplements according to their label.
• Ideally, give this supplement at the same time each day.
• Ensure access to fresh, clean drinking water.
• Give IV (intravenous) injections slowly.
• Wash hands after use
• Do not handle if you have a known sensitivity to this supplement.

This supplement can vary in the time it will take effect, depending on the form administered and the animal’s health status. It may take several weeks to notice clinical signs of improvement.

What if I miss giving my pet the supplement?

If you miss a dose, give it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and resume the regular dosing schedule. Do not give the pet two doses at once. 

Are there any potential side effects from vitamin E + selenium?

Vitamin E + selenium may cause the following side effects:

• Injectable forms may cause muscle soreness at the site of injection.
• Long-term use of high oral doses of vitamin E may cause nausea, muscle weakness, and fatigue.

Sensitivities can develop over time with repeated exposure. Your pet may have no reaction after the first few doses but may develop a sensitivity later. It is important to watch for signs of an allergic reaction over the entire course of treatment.

Serious adverse reactions associated with this supplement may occur without warning and could, in rare cases, lead to death. If any of the following signs develop, stop giving vitamin E + selenium and contact your veterinarian immediately:

• Anaphylactic reactions: excitement, sweating, trembling, respiratory distress, heart disturbances, ataxia (poor muscle control and unsteady movements)
• Thrombosis (blood clot formation within the veins): pain, breathing difficulties, weakness, limb paralysis
• Overdose of selenium: depression, ataxia, difficulty breathing, blindness, diarrhea, muscle weakness, and a garlic odor on the breath

Other side effects may occur. If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian immediately. This supplement should stop working within several days, although effects can be longer in pets with liver or kidney disease. 

Are there any risk factors for this supplement?

DO NOT USE vitamin E + selenium in:

• Pets who are allergic to it 
• Adult dairy cattle

USE WITH CAUTION in animals who:

• Have blood clotting disorders

Contact your veterinarian if your animal's condition does not improve or worsens despite this treatment. 

Are there any drug interactions I should be aware of?

The following medications may impair vitamin E + selenium’s anticoagulant abilities and should be used with caution when given with vitamin E + selenium:

• Anticoagulant agents (e.g., heparins, rivaroxaban, warfarin)
• Antiplatelet agents (e.g., aspirin, clopidogrel)
• Cholestyramine
• Iron
• Mineral Oil
• Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (e.g., carprofen, flunixin, meloxicam, phenylbutazone)
• Vitamin A

Be sure to tell your veterinarian about any medications (including vitamins, supplements or herbal therapies) that your pet is taking before starting any treatment.

Is any monitoring needed with this supplement?

• Blood selenium levels should be monitored in patients receiving supplementation.
• At home, monitor for any abnormal changes. If these occur, discontinue the supplement and contact your veterinarian.
• Your veterinarian will let you know when they want to reassess your pet to ensure the supplement is working and not causing side effects. 

How do I store vitamin E + selenium?

• Store injection products at temperatures below 77°F (25°C); protect from freezing.
• Store oral supplements in a cool, dry area in a tightly sealed container to prevent accidental ingestion.
• Refrigerate partially used bottles.
• Store in the original container.
• Keep out of reach of children.

What should I do in case of emergency?

If you suspect an overdose or an adverse reaction to the supplement/treatment, call your veterinary office immediately. If they are not available, follow their directions in contacting an emergency facility. Be prepared to provide information about the product and your pet's weight and symptoms. Report any adverse effects to the FDA or Health Canada.