Vitamin E / Selenium
Alpha-tocopherol / Sodium selenite
Also known as: Emulsivit E-300 · Vital E-300 · Equ-SeE · Equ-Se5E · Mu-Se · Bo-Se · L-Se · E-Se · Seletoc · Aquasol E · Nutr-E-Sol · Alpha-tocopherol · Sodium selenite
Reviewed by the VetSheet Veterinary TeamUpdated Apr 5, 2026Evidence-based veterinary reference
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Dosing by species
🌎 NA — North America🌍 EU — Europe
Dogs
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjunctive treatment of discoid lupus erythematosus, canine demodicosis or acanthosis nigricans | 200-400 Units PO three times daily | PO | q8h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Adjunctive treatment of cholestatic hepatopathies; necroinflammatory hepatopathies | 10-15 Units/kg per day PO as alpha-tocopherol acetate | PO | q24h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Adjunctive treatment of copper-associated hepatopathy | 400-600 Units PO per day | PO | q24h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Treatment of tocopherol deficiency associated with exocrine pancreatic disease | 100-400 Units PO once daily for one month then every 1-2 weeks as needed | PO | q24h | 1 month, then q1-2 weeks | 🌎 NA |
| Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency (using Seletoc) | Initially, 1 mL per 20 pounds of body weight (minimum 0.25 mL; maximum 5 mL) SC, or IM in divided doses in 2 or more sites. Repeat dose at 3 day intervals until satisfactory results then switch to maintenance dose. Maintenance dose: 1 mL per 40 lbs body weight (minimum 0.25 mL) repeat at 3-7 day intervals (or longer) to maintain. | SC/IM | q3d initially, then q3-7d | — | 🌎 NA |
- Adjunctive treatment of discoid lupus erythematosus, canine demodicosis or acanthosis nigricans: Variable efficacy, but relatively innocuous at these dosages
- Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency (using Seletoc): If no response in 14 days reevaluate.
Cats
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment of tocopherol deficiency associated with exocrine pancreatic disease | 30 Units PO once daily for one month then every 1-2 weeks as needed | PO | q24h | 1 month, then q1-2 weeks | 🌎 NA |
| Adjunctive treatment of hepatic lipidosis | 10 Units/kg once PO once daily | PO | q24h | — | 🌎 NA |
Horses
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjunctive treatment of ionophore (monensin) toxicity | 4-12 Units/kg PO once daily | PO | q24h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Adjunctive therapy for EPM | 8000-9000 Units PO per day | PO | q24h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Adjunctive therapy for metabolic syndrome | 10,000 Units PO once daily | PO | q24h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Adjunctive treatment of perinatal asphyxia syndrome (hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy) | Foals: 4,000 Units PO once daily; Mares: 10,000 Units PO once daily | PO | q24h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency (using E-Se) | 1 mL/100 lbs. body weight slow IV or deep IM (in 2 or more sites; gluteal or cervical muscles). May be repeated at 5-10 day intervals. | IV/IM | q5-10d | — | 🌎 NA |
- Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency (using E-Se): Give slowly when administering IV.
Cattle
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency (using Mu-Se) | For weanling calves: 1 mL per 200 lbs. body weight IM or SC. For breeding beef cows: 1 mL per 200 lbs. body weight during middle third of pregnancy and 30 days before calving IM or SC. | IM/SC | Variable | — | 🌎 NA |
| Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency (using Bo-Se) | Calves: 2.5-3.75 mL/100 lbs body weight (depending on severity of condition and geographical area) IM or SC. | IM/SC | Single dose | — | 🌎 NA |
- Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency (using Mu-Se): Slaughter withdrawal = 30 days.
- Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency (using Bo-Se): Slaughter withdrawal = 30 days.
Swine
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency (using Bo-Se) | Sows and weanling pigs: 1mL/40 lbs. body weight IM or SC (1 mL minimum). | IM/SC | Single dose | — | 🌎 NA |
| Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency (using L-Se) | Baby Pigs: 1 mL SC or IM. | SC/IM | Single dose | — | 🌎 NA |
- Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency (using Bo-Se): Do not use on newborn pigs. Slaughter withdrawal = 14 days.
- Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency (using L-Se): Slaughter withdrawal = 14 days.
Sheep
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency (using Bo-Se) | Lambs (2 weeks of age or older): 1 mL per 40 lbs. body weight IM or SC (1 mL minimum). Ewes: 2.5 mL/100 lbs. body weight IM or SC. | IM/SC | Single dose | — | 🌎 NA |
| Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency (using L-Se) | Lambs: 1 mL SC or IM in newborns and 4 mL SC or IM in lambs 2 weeks of age or older | SC/IM | Single dose | — | 🌎 NA |
- Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency (using Bo-Se): Slaughter withdrawal = 14 days.
- Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency (using L-Se): Slaughter withdrawal = 14 days.
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Overview
Vitamin E and Selenium are frequently utilized together due to their synergistic antioxidant properties, though Vitamin E is also widely used as a standalone supplement.
- Vitamin E (Alpha-tocopherol) is a lipid-soluble vitamin essential for protecting cell membranes from oxidative damage. It is used adjunctively for various dermatologic (discoid lupus, demodicosis), hepatic, and neurologic conditions.
- Selenium is a trace mineral that acts as a crucial cofactor for antioxidant enzymes. Combination products are primarily indicated for the treatment or prophylaxis of selenium-tocopherol deficiency (STD) syndromes, such as white muscle disease in livestock.
Clinical Pearl: While Vitamin E has a wide margin of safety, Selenium is highly toxic in overdose. Combination products must be dosed meticulously based on the selenium concentration and should only be used in FDA-approved species.
Mechanism of action
Both Vitamin E and Selenium are intricately involved in the cellular metabolism of sulfur and the prevention of oxidative stress.
- Vitamin E acts as a potent biological free radical scavenger. It prevents the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids within cellular and subcellular membranes.
- Selenium is an essential structural component of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase → this enzyme catalyzes the reduction of lipid hydroperoxides to their corresponding alcohols, neutralizing their potential to cause cellular damage.
Together, they protect against red blood cell hemolysis and prevent the destructive action of peroxidase on unsaturated bonds in cell membranes.
Safety & warnings
Contraindications
- Use of combination products in non-FDA approved species
- Use of Bo-Se in newborn pigs
Adverse effects
- Anaphylactoid reactions
- Transient muscle soreness at injection sites (IM)
- Selenium toxicity (depression, ataxia, dyspnea, blindness, diarrhea, muscle weakness, garlic breath)
Precautions
Vitamin E/selenium products should only be used in the species for which they are FDA-approved. Because selenium can be extremely toxic, the promiscuous use of these products cannot be condoned. Give slowly when administering intravenously to horses.
Drug interactions
Large doses of vitamin E may delay the hematologic response to iron therapy in patients with iron deficiency anemia.
May reduce the absorption of orally administered vitamin E.
Absorption, utilization, and storage may be enhanced by vitamin E.
Vitamin E may increase the effects of warfarin.
Monitoring
- Clinical efficacy
- Blood selenium levels (when using combination products)
- Glutathione peroxidase activity (optional)
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
After absorption, vitamin E is transported in the circulatory system via beta-lipoproteins. Absorption of vitamin E may be impaired in patients with severe cholestatic liver disease or in animals with fat malabsorption syndromes.
Distribution
Vitamin E is distributed to all tissues and stored in adipose tissue. It is only marginally transported across the placenta.
Metabolism
Vitamin E is metabolized in the liver.
Elimination
Vitamin E is excreted primarily into the bile.
Overdose
Selenium is quite toxic in overdose quantities, but has a fairly wide safety margin. Cattle have tolerated chronic doses of 0.6 mg/kg/day with no adverse effects (approximate therapeutic dose is 0.06 mg/kg).
Clinical signs of selenium toxicity include:
- Depression, ataxia, dyspnea, blindness, diarrhea, muscle weakness
- A distinct 'garlic' odor on the breath
- Horses: May become blind, paralyzed, slough their hooves, and lose hair from the tail and mane.
- Dogs: May exhibit anorexia, vomiting, and diarrhea at high dosages.
Large overdoses of vitamin E alone can cause coagulopathies.
Available products
Formulations
- Injection
- Oral powder
- Oral liquid
- Tablets
- Capsules
Veterinary
- Vitamin E Injection: 300 mg/mL (Emulsivit E-300, Vital E-300)
- Vitamin E/Selenium Oral: Equ-SeE, Equ-Se5E
- Vitamin E/Selenium Injection: Mu-Se (5 mg Se/mL), Bo-Se (1 mg Se/mL), L-Se (0.25 mg Se/mL), E-Se (2.5 mg Se/mL), Seletoc (1 mg Se/mL)
Human-labeled
- Vitamin E Tablets: 100 Units, 200 Units, 400 Units, 500 Units & 800 Units
- Vitamin E Capsules: 100 Units, 200 Units, 400 Units & 1000 Units
- Vitamin E Drops: 15 Units/0.3 mL
- Vitamin E Liquid: 15 Units/30 mL, 798 Units/30 mL
Regulatory status
No regulatory data for: 🇺🇸 US · 🇪🇺 EU · 🇬🇧 UK · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU
Storage & stability
Vitamin E/Selenium for injection should be stored at temperatures less than 25°C (77°F).
Client information
- Strict Dosing: Never exceed the prescribed dose. While Vitamin E is relatively safe, Selenium can be highly toxic if over-supplemented.
- Signs of Toxicity: Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice a "garlic" odor on your pet's breath, extreme weakness, stumbling, vomiting, or difficulty breathing.
- Administration: If giving oral liquids or capsules, follow your veterinarian's instructions regarding feeding (often given with food to enhance the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins).
- Storage: Keep all supplements out of reach of children and animals to prevent accidental ingestion.
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturer’s current label.