Joint care?

[Sara]

My Sara is about 5 years old, a border collie/husky mix. Sometimes I notice her walking a little stiffly. Do you think I should start her on some joint care suppliments?

[skunkstripe]

Something like glucosamine (same stuff that humans take) cannot hurt. Just the same, it would be a good idea to take her to the vet to make sure there are no serious problems.
Does it happen after she has chased something, or after she gets up from having been laying down a long time? Or just all the time?

[lassie]

[QUOTE=skunkstripe]Something like glucosamine (same stuff that humans take) cannot hurt.
Yes i agree, give it to my old boy.

Does she move stiffly , when the weathers wet or damp?

[Sara]

Something like glucosamine (same stuff that humans take) cannot hurt. Just the same, it would be a good idea to take her to the vet to make sure there are no serious problems.
Does it happen after she has chased something, or after she gets up from having been laying down a long time? Or just all the time?

I only notice it after she gets up after laying down for a long time, like in the mornings. Any otehr time she seems normal, but this only started in the past month. At first I thought it was her bed that was making her so uncomfortable (as if we would sleep on an arm the wrong way) but after I got her a new bed it's still there. I've found some treats with the glucosamine in it and she seems to like it well.

[3 goldens]

I have rheumatoid arthritis and when I get up in the mornings i can hardly walk. But after I get "limbered up" I am fine. Our 11 year old golden started to be a little slow about getting up and moved slowly when he first got up and I figured it was arthritis (later confirmed by my vet) so I started him on MSM/Glucosamine caps, the very same ones hubby and I take, and also our almost 7 year old golden. KayCee has had surgery on both knees for luxating patellas and we are trying to delay her arthritis, so she has been one them since her last surgery 4 years ago.

Buck was going on 10 when he started to slow up and since being on the Glucosamine (two caps in morning, one at night) he is much more limber. So i would say it wouldn't hurt a thing to start you dog on it now.

[Sara]

Oh, wow. Thanks. I've had people tell me that she shouldn't be on it yet because of her age (not being old enough, etc.) I'm more confident now. :)

[jem]

"Sasha's Blend" is a great product. Everyone I know that has tried it has seen a visible improvement. My vet swears by it. It's glucosamine and other natural stuff too.

*JEM*

[Plummy16]

Glucosamine and cod liver oil my dad started giving it to our lab and it kept her going for a long time he also used emu oil you rub it on their legs i think thats what it was. He advised me to use it on my lhasa sophie as artharitis had kicked in dramaticaly I think it made her a little better in her last few months, probably didnt take much afect but i like to think i helped :o

[pittiegirl]

Cod liver oil should not be fed daily to a dog eating commercial kibble since it is high in vitamins A & D, which are supplied in kibble already. Those vitamins in excess can be toxic.

If fish oil is given it should be good quality fish body oil. I like Grizzly Salmon Oil.

For joint care I prefer Knox Nutra Joint, it's basically gelatin - which, when fed over a period of time, can help rebuild cartilage to put those 'cushions' back in between worn joints.

http://www.nutrajoint.com/

http://www.grizzlypetproducts.com/salmon_oil/salmon_oil.html

[Sara]

Do you think I can get decent glucos tabs at Petco?

[pittiegirl]

Probably, but why not go to Wal-Mart or somewhere and get human-grade ones? They're usually cheaper and better quality.

[Sara]

Oh, okay! Thanks!

[Bucky]

Hi,

Oscar was diagnosed as having arthiritis in his hips. We were told to take him swimming at a local hydrotheraphy pool for dogs. He loves it, however, the first time he went he pulled his muscles around his spine which made him worse. He has started to come round a little, and we are giving him short 10 minute stints in the pool, which seems to be doing the world of good.

[Sara]

Oh wow, there's a place like there here called Dunkin' Dawgs. They're like 30 bucks an hour, though, which is why it's hard to get her there. I got her on Glucosamine tabs last week from the local drug store. I may look into the swimming though.

[Bucky]

The cost here is £15 per session, but if you buy ten swims together you pay £120, which is what we did. We have been lucky though. As Oscar was diagnosed through our Vet, the pet insurance pays for the swimming.

[JDogg]

knox gelitine works great and is much cheaper

[Bucky]

It probably is, but not as much fun

[lassie]

[QUOTE=pittiegirl]Cod liver oil should not be fed daily to a dog eating commercial kibble since it is high in vitamins A & D, which are supplied in kibble already.

Didnt know that, so have often should i give cod liver oil ????????