Barney has been limping recently after his usual mad dashing around. The vet took an x ray 6 weeks ago and said she thought one of his bones in his right front leg may be growing crooked and he may need it broken and re-set. I REALLY hope not poor little fellow. He had another x ray yesterday and that should tell what has to be done. Anyway I bought some glucosamine today having read about it on this site but not sure how much to give him as I dont want to make him ill. He is limping again at the moment and we try to stop his running around which is a bit difficult. The capsules are 500 mg so what dose should I give him and is it okay to tip out the insides of the capsule to get to the powder? He weighs about 23lbs (overweight but on a diet!) (I cant work in kilos). I would like to start today if I can. Also he is on Synulox antibiotic starting today for 5 days as I thought he might have a sore willy as he keeps licking himself and making it sore. I dont know if I worry too much or what!! Many many thanks Gina.
PS Sorry to go on but thought it best to explain all in one go :o

gina-hes a lhasa isnt he??? at the risk of a riot ,if he is i think as a breed they get bent legs sometimes-i think its down as one of their failings in the book of the bitch-my sister has one whos legs would do a queen anne proud, i wouldnt go rushing into anything if its not needed, :)

Dizzy would you mind if I e mail you quickly... nah you wont...so will do !!! Gina

dont mind one bit---but havent got it if you've sent it :)

Dizzy hope it is on its way now.

I'm sure someone better/more informed will be along in a minute to help, but I thought Glucosamine would be of more benefit to the more 'mature' dog. 10kg is = to 22 lbs (roughly) if this helps so I think you are only going to need a weeny bit. My local health place I have now decided is completely useless I'll need it before they get any in! However, I recommend you go to www.hellenia.co.uk, this is where I am going as of today!

Edit: To sort out my lb and Kg cock-up! Husband gave the rough guide!

Hi Reefer

I wondered if it might only be for older dogs but thought it might help him with his limp as it must be uncomfortable.

Thanks Gina

I hope he feels better soon:)

Reefer try http://www.naturesbestonline.com. Very good for quality, service and price, and no, I'm not on commission! :D

Hi

I also get mine from naturesbest, excellent value!

Lisa

:o Typed the address in without the 'online' bit and for a moment was briefly confused And then realised error and tried again:D

On my way thanks

Anita

If 10lbs is = 22kg and Barney is approx 23lbs then that would make him over 44kg. Maybe I've done my calculations wrong but gosh that sounds really heavy for a lhasa, I know you said he was overweight but my 14mth male weimaraner is 35kg!

Gina are you sure he's 23lbs? I'm just flagging this up so you get the dosage right, hope I haven't offended :-) I'm not very good working in kg either :rolleyes:

1 Kilo = 2.2lbs.

Karen

Hang on everyone PLEASE don't use the calculation above or you'll overdose your dogs horribly. 10kgs = 22 lbs not the other way round. So Barney is just over 10 kilos.
Jane
PS I'm agreeing with Karen we were posting at the same time:-)

Ooops so too am I, I got my lb's and kilos the wrong way round! Point to note proof read my postings!

Phew !! Not that I was able to correct the calculations mind cos I told you I know now't about kg it was just the thought of a lhasa weighing more than my weim that did it :D Pleased it was the wrong way round though for Barney's sake :P

We've got Damson on Glucosamine after her hip - pinning - the orthopaedic chap suggested that she have 1000mg/day in two doses. Now she weighs about 34 kg, about equal to 70-odd pounds. You could , I suppose then scale this down for Barney.

In her case, she's on MSM as well, which may be helping. Also on Chondriotin, but this, I believe, is not recommended for young dogs as it possibly may stop blood supply to growth tissue. In her case, I'm giving it to reduce any risk of tumour formation around the site of operation.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Hi Jo,
I've been on Glucosamine myself for my broken ankle since the middle of Jan.
The guy at the Nutrition Center told me that Chondriotin worked better if it was taken at the opposite time of the Glucosamine dosage. So, if the Glu. was given at 8am. Take the Chon at 6-8pm. For some reason, it "bonds" better.

I don't know if this is true or bunk. But my dr. was amazed at how fast I've gotten back on my feet & walking without support. So if that's any endorsement... :rolleyes:
toodles

roflol Claire!!!

I am picturing Barney as this huge St Bernard type Lhasa LOL. Do you think I could have got in the Guiness Book of Records? I am glad I am not the only one who cant work out metric weights.

I still cant work out what to give him or whether I should so perhaps I better not. Any help please. Is he too young at 7 months for Glucosamine?

Regards Gina

Gina if barney has an injury glucosamine will help him heal. but I would only give it to him while he is healing, . a puppy does not need constant medication. I give my old girl one every day . for barney one 50mg capsule is plenty. mari

Just occurred to me that a vitamin C capsule might help things along, though, do everything in consultation with your vet.
Many people who think their dogs may be getting lax joints as they grow unevenly (as most young animals do) will give vitamin C to help. I give 1000mg a day - pretty high dose.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Jo how is Damson getting on now? :-)

Damson is really fine - she's been swimming in the hydrotherapy pool last week, going again tomorrow, and we've worked up to a 25 min walk once a day, with shorter walks interspersed. Still on the lead. I check in with the orthopaedic guy every fortnight, and he gives me an exercise regime. Hopefully she will be able to work next season; she'll be impossible to live with if she can't.

Thanks for asking - and beware of child gates!

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

I'm glad that she is going to be ok Jo :-) I am also aware of child gates. A bracco bitch I know, jumped one shortly after whelping and ended up ripping a teat off :-( She ended up having surgery and her 10 pups were only a day old.

Thanks Mari and Jo. I will have a word with the vet and I will try him on the small amount of glucosamine as well for a day or so to see what happens after he has been running around and see if he still limps. Many thanks Gina

Gina - I don't think you'll see an awful lot of difference if Barney just has glucosamine for a couple of days; if I've understood correctly, it needs to build up steadily before any results are seen.

If you're chatting to the vet, mention panosteitis ('growing pains') - may just be that still, in which case they'll resolve spontaneously.

Keep us posted

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Jo - I was wondering about growing pains because unbelievably yesterday and today he hasnt been too bad!!! Do puppies get stiff legs from running around? We try not to let him jump too much etc and I did wonder? I cant see anything about growing pains in the books I have. Regards Gina.

hi gina growing pains is a common thing in bullmastiffs
It causes inflamation of the bones , the pup is in great pain and needs anti inflamatory injections to cure the inflamation. I had one that got this on my last litter the one my daughter kept. I was called at 1.45 in the morning by daughter , she was in tears as ruby was not able to stand and had a high temperature, I rang vet and he said take her up at once as he suspected what was wrong. The only reason for it was the pup had been playing football with my grandson and had probably been overdoing it for a puppy. after three days , she was fine again.
Ihave no idea if your little fellow , had growing pains , but thought you might like to know that there is such a thing as growing pains in dogs as well as humans . Mari

Hi Mari. Thanks for your posting. I am going to the vets soon for Molly's second injection so as long as he stays as he is at the moment I will ask her about Barney when we go. We will be getting the results of his x-ray soon so I hope they are okay and it is just because he runs around too mad. We are not letting him do this at the moment as best we can - but now and again we cant stop him as he thinks it is a game to run round and round a large plant pot and we try to catch him but this only lasts for a minute. We wont let him into the main part of the garden off the patio though and it seems to be working as he has been fine for the last day or so.

Glad your daughter's pup is okay - bet she is glad to have you around although I suspect she probably knows a lot about her dogs because of you.

Many thanks Gina xx

Going out again this weekend? he he he :D. We are!!!!! and daughter's doggie sitting LOL.

PS I am sitting here freezing at the moment cos Barney wants to "go" but wont so I have to leave the back door open shiver shiver

Well I am going out this weekend as well I am making no promises though , as I dont like to break a promise, so im leaving my options open as to will I or wont I have a wee drink :D