Joint supplements for dog ?

dawnybabes

We have a bearded collie (just 4) who limps later that day after he has been walked anything over approx 1 mile. We live rural and he is running through fields/woods on these walks.

We have been to the vets this week for annual boosters and mentioned it, he had a look and feel and concluded he had a grating elbow and suggested we gave him cod liver oil/glucosamin etc and to see if that helps. He advised us he would probably have early arthiritus but not to stop the walks (good job as he is a bouncy socialable animal)

He didn't tell us what sort ? Can I give him human ones ? Whats the dose ? etc The human cod liver oil we have at home for DH has vitamin A & D added - is this ok ?

rising_from_the_ashes

Sorry to hear this Dawny - esp in such a young dog.

There are several options - finding a food that has it in, supplements (I use both human & ones - depends what's the best price) and joint treats (Pedigree do joint sticks, however sm like As*da and Sains*bury do their own which compare well on ingredients & can be a lot cheaper).

There are differing opinions on whether cod liver oil should be given on a long term basis as there can be some side effects - don't personally know a lot about this & sure others can advise better or a bit of research and you'll be able to decide for yourself.

Best of luck

gettingready

Seraquin is what is normlly recommended by vest but do not buy from the vest (very expensive) as you can buy it online:

http://www.animeddirect.co.uk/cats/healthcare/ageing/seraquin-tablets-for-cats-and-small-dogs-800mg-x-60.html

for dogs ovet 10kg

http://www.animeddirect.co.uk/dogs/healthcare/ageing/seraquin-tablets-for-dogs-2g-x-60.html

1 tablet per day per 10kg bodyweight or as recommended by your vet

fast free delivery too

Dollardog

My dog is 30kg or thereabouts and his vet said to give him the human dose.
I feed Arden Grange, which has glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM. If you look on the Arden Grange website, http://ardengrange.com/dog-cat-nutrition-fact-sheets.asp?CategoryId=4 there is a list of fact sheets telling you all sorts of things about the ingredients and why they are in there.

I also given mine a joint stick each night. I used to give the Pedigree ones until someone on here pointed out that the Sainsbury's ones had a higher dose of supplement.

Miss_Ratty

I agree, Seraquin is what we use for our jack russell and it has improved things for him. Again, get it online as it is much cheaper.

krlyr

Personally I would want to know what it was I was dealing with, as different ailments require different treatment. E.g. for some, total crate rest is necessary for weaks, for others, gentle exercise to build up the muscle can be better, and some will never fully heal without an operation. Especially in such a young dog, where it cannot simply be explained by "old age" or wear & tear.

Millie2008_2

I gave my old GSD riaflex (30yo pony is doing amazingly well on the equine version)

WolfSong2000

green lipped mussell is good for joint issues - as is rosehip tea, surprisingly. If early-onset arthritis is going to be a problem, get the dog on Cortaflex (a glucoamine supplement). We did this with our golden retriever as we were told that due to a cruciate ligament injury he had when he was around 1, he'd be crippled with arthritis by the time he was 5...he made it to around the age of 13 before the arthritis really started to affect him, and lived until he was 15.

Magnetic collars can also make a noticable difference, but it depends on the initial problem.

Welshwoofs

I use glucosamine/chrondroitin - the human stuff from Healthspan. Before that he was on Seraquin supplements from the vet, but on reading what was in them I realised they were exactly the same as many of the human joint supplements...but the human equivalent was a fraction of the cost!

I also give him Devil's Claw (Healthspan or Holland and Barratt) for joint pain which he has.

dawnybabes

Thank you for your suggestions, am off to Sainsburys tomorrow for the joint sticks and I've bought some of the gl/ch supplements.

Hes back at the vets in 3 weeks for his kennel cough vac and if no better will be pushing for xrays.

kiss_me_now9

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/joint-supplements-yumove-joint-care-for-dogs-c-5_4_280/yumove-triple-action-dog-joint-supplement-p-4074 We give our arthritic cat this, it's for dogs though.