Is there such a thing as a natural anti inflammatory to give to dogs?  I am so loathe to use Metacam etc Is there anything herbal and not harmful that would works for my lab, she has been given the 6 month all clear after her TPLO surgery but the vet says she may have mild arthritis and require pain killers, I am loathe to start her on them again and would like to go down a natural route if possible.

Have you thought about glucosamine and chondroitin..? Loads will come up about them on a search

It is claimed the Marigolds have anti-inflammatory properties.  I myself have used it using dried marigold heads (from health food shops) infused with water to make a tea, allowed to cool and then bathed the inflammed area with very good results.  It is said to be equally effective when taken internally and although I've never done so with my dogs, my mother has been drinking it for the last 6-7 months and swears by it.  Herbs said to have anti-inflammatory properties are garlic, feverfew, devil's claw, cleavers and ginger - oh also liquorice root.

There are some excellent books on the subject if you're interested in going down this route.

Marigolds that sounds interesting thank you for that I will check them out

I  use Joint-Aid (by a company called Gro-Well) for my rottie who had TPLO. I also give it to my other dogs as they complete in agility.

It contains:

CHONDROITIN:  responsible for the resilience of cartilage as well as its formation and repair
COLLAGEN: the main supportive protein of bone, cartilage and connective tissue which acts as the body's glue for adhering cartilage to bone, teeth to gums etc
CURCUMIN: helps maintain the natural anti inflammatory action of the dog's metabolism
GLUCOSAMINE: involved in the formation of tendons, skin, bones and ligaments. It also maintains the ability of cartilage to hold water in order to act as a shock absorber
GLUTAMINE: supports the gut barrier and immune functions
MSM: essential for healthy connective tissue, joint function, cell replacement, enzyme activity as well as the immune system
OATINOL:  supplies natural antioxidants, polar lipids, beta glucans and galacto lipid emulsif

We are currently using Forever Freedom Aloe Vera by FLP. My lab is 9 years old and has been drinking this for 5 weeks now.................well what can I say totally different dog and all vet meds have gone...............u wouldn't believe it.
Costs about £27 but what a result I have had it is worth every penny and cheaper than the vet meds.
I started off using it with the meds and then weaned her off the tabs onto just the forever freedom.
Also if you use it for 6 weeks and get no result it has a money back gaurantee.

I have also used it on a dog with a long standing illness (the vets had never got to the bottom of) and she is now fully fit and on no meds from vet in just 5 weeks. It is early days for her but the future looks good.

Hi
Forever Freedom sounds interesting but what is it made up of?  Also how can I find it?
Thanks

Just had a look on the site but couldn't find a list of ingredients.  I would be very interested to know what is listed on the bottle as ingredients (Aloe is I believe 92%approx water) as Aloe seems to be the in thing at the moment.

right i got there in the end so here it is:

Forever Freedom contains 100% juice. (Orange flavoured Aloe Vera Juice) ...........................................................Contains:

Aloe Vera Gel (juice), sorbitol, natural orange juice concerntrate (flovour), Fructose, Glucosamine, Sulfate, Chondroitin, Sulfrte, Natural Orange flavour, Methyl, Sulfonyl Methane, Ascorbic Acid (Antioxidant), Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate (To help protect flavour) Sodium Benzoate (again to help protect flavour) and Tocopherol (antioxidant)

I ran out 4 days ago and poor Brooke was ill again within 24 hrs. Managed to get more yesterday and she is fine again today. I will be better organised next month.
I started mine off on 30mls twice a day and then once you see results you are supposed to drop them to 15mls once a day. Mine I have kept on 15mls twice daily. 

Good luck with your dog, I know my 2 will be on the juice for life now.

Will type it up on here later on today.
It does seem to be the in thing BUT for my dogs it has worked, so I'm glad we discovered it.

Our dog walker sells these products & keeps leaving me brochures about the dog stuff but to be honest I wasn't all that interested although I am keen to try anything that will help Molly, eps seen as she is so stiff at the minute & we're on a waiting list for hysrotheraphy sessions so think I'll order it in the new year!  Thanks dogcrazy666 & I'll let you know who she goes on.

Natural anti inflammatories would be Fish Body Oils (high in DHA and EPA) and Vitamin C with bio flavenoids ( the flavenoids are anti inflammatory and the Vitamin C is a natural anti histamine and helps with collagen production and maintenance.

thanks I am going to do some research into everything mentioned

Devels Claw is a good natural  anti inflammatory,  I give this to my boy who has HD &  Spondylosis