Hello all,
We have long suspected that our cross, Lily, would suffer with bad joints.  She is 4 and a half now and we fear the on set of some arthritis is setting in.  From the age of 2 when she ate she would suddenly sit down very quickly (before finishing), this stopped when we got her an extendable bowl so she didn't have to bend down.  However, she is now suffering when weeing and it takes her several attempts to get in the squat position.  She seems much more at ease when off the lead and as she is such an obediant dog she doesn't often have to wear it, however she is noticeably getting worse.  We have no idea what type of dog she is but she is long legged with low chest and looks as if she might be lab cross with something a little more athletic (vets words)  If you move her joints she doesn't seem to be in any pain and so I am reluctant to put her on medication at this stage.  I was just wondering if anyone new of any alternative methods we might try before returning to the vets.  She also gets VERY stiff if she suddenly gets a burst of 'wind up her tail' over the park, she is quite a fast dog when running but tires very quickly and suffers some hours afterwards with her legs.  Any help or advice would be much appreciated (apologies for the length of post)

There are all sorts of various adjuncts, supplements etc that you could try to enhance the quality of her life:

Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, Deer Velvet, Devil's Claw, Deer Velvet, Green Lipped Mussel Extract, Vitamin C with bio-flavonoids, Bromelain, Rhus Tox or Bryonia, Cetyl Myristoleate etc etc etc.

Also removing grains from the diet can help.

HTH

I'll start searching the website now.  Certainly want to try alternative before other medication, providing she doesn't start feeling obvious pain.

Thanks for the help and advice, much appreciated.