Hi

I have noticed that my 12 year old greyhound has slowed down this last year, and looks a bit stiff on her back end when getting up,  I have spoken to vet and she said it is to be expected and told me to look into suppliments, but there are a few of them on the market, so looking for a few recomendations. Also should reduce her walks, at the moment she gets 2, 45 mins to and hour a day, with my other 2 dogs,  I am worried about cutting her walks down incase she puts weight on which I imagine would not help her joints.

Any advice would be great on how to look after a older dog as I have never had an older dog as sadly my last dog was pts at 12 with cancer. 

Thanks
Sheli

Hi Shelwil, not much advice on supplements but may I just say well done, your Greyhound is a credit to you at the grand age of 12 and only now showing signs of ageing, you say you have no knowledge of looking after an older dog as your last sadly left you at 12.....I would say you are doing just great at looking after the older dogs!!
I would think anything containing Glucosamine would benefit , I believe also that Green Lipped muscle is supposed to be good for joints as well.
Keep up the good work your a credit to your doggies.
Aileen.

Hi Shelwil

I give my 9 year old greyhound glucosomine every day and I have noticed how much it has helped him. He retired due to breaking his leg and had developed arthritis in it when we got him, he occasionally limped particularly when the weather was cold for a day or so. We have been giving him the glucosomine since about June last year as a preventative and this is the first winter that he hasn't had a limp at all. She definatly needs to be lean as being overwieght would increase the strain on her joints so I would play it by ear with the food. Saying that though I have yet to see a fat greyhound.:) Mine can eat like a horse with treats and tit bits he shouldn't really  have and never puts an ounce on - lucky sod.:)

If you get some glucosomine definatley buy it over the net as it is so much cheaper than health food shops.

Glucosamine Chondroitin is the best mix The search will show you the sort of prices you can pay

They are here on E bay

Healthspan www.healthspan.co.uk do Chondromax which I have used on a bitch with hock stiffness and is good value, a friend in the US recommended Grand Meadows Grand Mobility, available in the UK at www.horsespecialities.co.uk . She gives it to an arthritic 11 year old and says he is definately much better for it. Sorry not experienced at posting so don't know how to add links!

And if you do a search on here for the glucosomine and chondroitin, there are some good links on one of the threads too. (price wise )

Thanks for all the replies, I think glucosomine seems to be the most popular.  I am a huge believer in suppliments I have used many suppliments over the years for my horses with great success.  I rehomed Lady 6 years ago from a greyhound rescue after she broke her toe and was no longer able to race.    I think she is really well for her age and sometimes I wonder why I worry as when she does get time off the lead (in my 1 acre well fenced field) she can give my 4 years old lurcher a run for his money :), but I want to keep her fit and flexable for as long as possible.  I will carry on with the walks as I let lady pick the speed at which we walk. 

I will check out the links, thanks again.

Sheli 

Hi Sheli,

I can second pons: Healthspan Glucosamine + Chondroitin is very effective. It was recommended by a friend who used it for her dog, and I used it for mine. I think Glucosamine needs Chondroitin to help its absorption into the system.