Hi

What does everyone use to help arthritis in their dogs?

My 13 year old is suffering with her back leg. She has always had salmon oil but just wondered what others gave.

Thanks :)

Apart from something for arthritis theres an additive which benefits all dogs, if arthritis ocurres it also eases that, it is Glucosamine, it lubricates the joints, I have been giving it to mine since she was around 5 years old, my vet approved Tescos' for humans (any equivilent s'market). I increased the intake as the years went by & she's now on 3 tablets per day = appx 990mg Glucosamne. The body does produce it normally but not enough in many mammals so it's really a 'food' supplement. Its in the s'market section with all the other chemists stuff etc.

My dog developed age related, wear & tear arthritis appx 18 months ago, so on top of her normal dose of Glucosamine she now has 'Loxicom', its an anti inflamatory & I have found it excellent, you must get a vets prescription if you get it, appx 19 quid.
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I give my oldies Glucosamine & Chondroitin from Dorwest

Thanks.  Will go and get some today.

green lip muscle and also turmeric( golden ) paste is very good apparently

Green Lipped Mussel powder Flexsprinke & later on when it got bad we used Cosequin DS.

Our vet also recommend a bioflow collar. It has some sort of magnetic stuff that helps arthritis (not sure of the exact science!) and believe that humans with arthritis wear an equivelent in a bracelet. Was a bit sceptical at first but we thought that it did actually help our dog. We got ours from Amazon.
We also used glucosamine and cod liver oil. And towards the end he was on anti inflammatory pain killers as well from the vet.

I got a Bioflow collar for a dog who was suffering badly from an arthritic spine. The change in her was amazing and very quick. The effects lasted about a year before she became worse and I needed to find something more effective. I have heard a number of good reports about magnetic collars, but equally a number where it appears to have no effect.

My lab has a bioflow collar,nutroquin plus, this is only from your vet,as Annie's arthritis is quite bad at times she also has anti inflammatory meds .its all under control at present .

Sheila x

I also use Glucosamine & Chondroitin.  My vet said that you need Glucosamine500gm and Chondroitin400mg for best results.  My elderly Bearded Collie has 3 a day.  Again the quantity was advised by my vet.  I do buy in bulk to get a good price.  I bought my last here
https://www.supplemented.co.uk/

It saves me a journey into  town.  I find it so convenient to get most things online.

Keeping dogs a correct weight may stave off the need for any medication, as none of my oldies ever needed any.

Golden paste: turmeric, coconut oil and freshly ground black pepper.  Recipe is online if you google 'doug english golden paste'.  The turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory by itself but cooked and combined with the others becomes considerably more so - often more effective than conventional painkillers, if that's what's needed.

Coconut oil by itself is great for joints as is salmon oil; also green lipped mussel is a very effective source of chondroitin.

> Keeping dogs a correct weight may stave off the need for any medication, as none of my oldies ever needed any.

I understand.  But my girl is almost 15 years, and that's pretty old for a large breed.  She just needs a little help.  She is a big girl, even for the breed, but I wouldn't class her big as in fat.  Not like her owner. 

For actual pain most people I know use metacam, but having had a 15 year old fit and active to the day before death with no sign of stiffness, it may not be necessary to do anything unless symptoms dictate.

As most good dog food contains at least some Glucosamine & Chondroitin, I'd be a bit careful how much extra of these, you give.   And some research now suggests glucosamine isn't quite the 'cure-all' it was suggested to be.   Although Metacam does have side effects, I'd go more with this, when needed which with arthritis, shouldn't be all the time - mine flare during colder/wet weather, but is fine during dry/warm weather.

Acupuncture might be worth considering, and also finding a hydrotherapy pool for exercise - kinder on arthritic joints?

Thanks all. I found out my son had taken her for a nice big trek the day before while I was out lol.

She is much better today but will take all your feedback on board.

Thanks

A lot of people - myself included - have been able to take their dogs off metacam or similar things, once they were on turmeric/turmeric paste.  Fantastic stuff, it really is!