Hi
Wondered about your opinions on the use of glucosamine or bio flow collars on the older dog?

hi ,my oldies always have a bioflow collar on.

The use of glucosamine has pretty substantial evidence to support its efficacy but electro magnetic therapy does not.  I was personally involved in a very large study conducted by the NHS over 20 years ago that, like many other studies, produced no evidence of efficacy.  To my knowledge the NHS has never adopted its use despite what could be a very cheap therapy. 
Talking of cheap, the money charged for collars with randomly attached fridge magnets is a cruel extortion on desperate people in my view.  If you really want to try it just tack your own magnet to a bit of cloth. It will provide you with exactly the same working components.

I have to disagree with you there Isabel, we had a Bichon when I was younger who had arthritis and couldnt even get on the sofa.  We bought him a bioflow collar and within about 2 weeks he was back to normal leaping about and jumping on the sofa.

Both.  My daughter's old bitch has 750mg of Glucosamine each day and wears a Bioflow collar, which contain very strong magnets, not like the ones on fridge magnets. :)
Her movement is adversely affected when her collar isn't put back on after a bath or daughter forgets to order new supply of glucosamine!
Bioflow collars come with a guarantee and so can be returned if you're not happy with its effect, but I don't know anyone who has returned theirs. :)

> I have to disagree with you there Isabel

But you cannot disagree no evidence has ever been produced :-)  Even with animals we cannot rule out the placebo effect as they respond to our attitudes and expectations.

> which contain very strong magnets, not like the ones on fridge magnets.

Ordinary magnets will never have any great strength.  For the NHS trial I was involved in, electromagnets were used and the site established and marked with the use of Xray.

Thank you for your opinions. I was also wondering whether it was alright to use the same glucosamine tablets/liquid that we humans use? I know maybe with a different dosage!

Also is there a website that you doggy people know of that sells bio flow collars. Also if used, do they need to be left on the dog all the time?

Sorry all the questions but I know you are a very helpful informative group of people. Thanks Liz.

Had a Rott who wore a Bioflow from age about 6-7 till we lost her at bit over 13, If the collar was taken off she was stiff moving-almost lame within 24/36 hrs. collar back on and sound in 3-4 days. may have acted with placebo effect but I cannot see how. Yes she wore it 24/7.
Vet and Chiropracter both said she had mild arthritis - which got worse as she got older- from being a lunatic in her younger days :-)
Chris

>But you cannot disagree no evidence has ever been produced 

'0
I am disagreeing with what you said in your post you think its a cheap magnet for desperate people  - I dont :)

My Mum was a diffecult person to convince and years ago she said to my I'll tell you if a Bio flow works or not. She wore it for about two months took it off and week later put it on again and wore it until she died. It works.

Me, I'd hedge my bets and do both!

I purchased a bio collar from here: http://www.simplymagnetic.com/index1.html I received it within 2 days, it wasn't for my dog but a rescue I was taking care of at the time, and yes you can keep them on all the time.  Glucosamine and chonditrin can be purchased from holland and barratt and yes you can use the same for dogs as people, and if your dog is in any pain, then devils claw is a natural pain killer/ anti inflammatory.   

When I was looking into a bioflow bracelet for myself I think that I read that they shouldn't be used on dogs with microchips but can't find that information now.

If you have a look at the link above it gives the info about bio flow collars and microchips and there isn't a problem, apparently it can sometimes affect the reading of the microchip so probably best taken off before being scanned.

When I was looking into a bioflow bracelet for myself

I've been wearing one for 8 years having been VERY sceptical!

Thank you Perry for taking the time to answer my question.. The website is very helpful. I will look further into both.
My dog is almost 8 years old & is a "weekend athlete" By that I mean that on a weekend she joins her pointer pal & runs & runs across the moors. By Monday she becomes a bit squeaky & stiff in her back legs. Some weeks it is worse than others.
My dog owner friends have mentioned Bio flow & Glucosamine~ hence the questions.
Hopefully my dog won't need either for a while but I thought I would avail myself of the facts first.

Thankyou. 

Update on Bioflow collars!
I have now used a bioflow collar on my GSP for about 6 weeks. After the first week she seemed a changed dog leaping about everywhere & really  "up for it" playing with her toys & chasing rabbits.... Problem is she seems to have outrun herself or overdone things & doesn't seem to manage the capabilities of her own body! She has had a couple of times really limped about... but the next day seems ok!  Has anyone ever had this problem with these collars?

I am thinking of giving her a glucosamine supplement as well. But does anyone know the correct doseage to give a 35kg dog?

`Not sure on the dosage try looking at www.zipvit.co.uk they're certainly cheaper than H&B and, I think, give info on dog dosages.
Re limping after exercise as a 'weekend athlete' and especially since the bio-flow collar  -  if not previously used to being able to do so much your dog's muscles will be stiff and aching too.  This might not all be due to athritus.  Try to make sure your dog is exercised well [not necessarily for long] every day to keep both joints and muscles fit and loose.
I wonder if there are any sites that give advice on getting a dog fit or training for specific sports or levels of activity - I know there's lots for people that include advice on diet etc. Anyone know of any?

I am thinking of giving her a glucosamine supplement as well. But does anyone know the correct doseage to give a 35kg dog?

My Dandy, Golden with severe HD, was on G&C for years it prolonged his life greatly. He weighed 35 kg when he died, around 39 before then. He was always given 2 capsules a day -always bought them from http://www.vitaminsdirect.co.uk the HiStrength Glucosamine & Chondroitin capsules for humans. (This was all, the dosage and the actual capsules, approved by my vet.) Every now and then in the newspapers they have special offers so you get 3 tubs of 120 capsules or just a tenner, normal price usually around £25 for 3 tubs. Each tub then lasted us 2 months so it was really cheap. It was so much easier with capsules than tablets as well as we just sprinkled it over his food.

I'd like to give the Bioflow collar a go but they only seem to do two sizes and the large just isn't "large" enough :-p

How do they clip together? Is it the sort of snap connector where I could possibly buy two small and link them to try it?

Stick the magnetic bit onto a normal collar its the magnets that do the trick.

Thankyou MarianneB...I have looked at that website & have found your information very useful.