Hi, my 4 year old Springer has had his Cruciate Ligament replaced 3 weeks ago. The vet has put on Seraquin, which is Glucosamine & Chondrotin. He is also now going to Hydrotherapy, had his first session Saturday. The hydrotherapist has given me some information on a company called Forever Living Products that make products using Aloe Vera. She has recomended an Aloe Vera gel that contains Glucsamine Sulphate, Chondrotin Sulphate and MSM. Does anyone have any experience of this product, or any ideas or advice?
The Cruciate ligament had to be replaced due to degenerative changes in the knee. It is likely he will need the other knee operated on at some point. Is there any supplements, food, herbal, homeopathic remedy etc that may help in the future that I can give long term. The vet suggested the Hydrotherapy as an aid to recovery from the op, but would Hydrotherapy permanently help? Thank you for any advice.

Cheers, Laura

According to my vet, there is nothing that will permanently help after a cruciate ligament injury and joint problems are inevitable in later years.  My springer has a tear to his anterior cruciate ligament and it has been helped by rest (it's out of shooting season thank goodness).  We have already made the decision that if it should rupture completely we will not have the operation, I have a vet that I trust totally and he wouldn't recommend the operation for a working dog.

My only experience with Forever Living products are that they are part of a pyramid selling organisation wrapped up in a different name and usually come with some hard sell.  I can't vouch for the actual product.

I do wish you all the very best with your dog and I hope it goes well.

Torn cruciates are not all doom & gloom.   My Munster bitch partially tore her's several years ago after getting her foot caught in chicken wire as she jumped a fence.    She is now 14 and the cruciate & it's subsequent repair cause her no problems.

I know a Working Trial Champion that ruptured his cruciate at 9 months old.........  he is still fit and well and though retired regularly scaled 6ft high, and jumped 9ft long.

Look here:

http://b-naturals.com/Feb2002.php

That's good to know Tohme.  In response to the OP though there is nothing that can permanently help although many that can contribute to good health.

See this page for some pretty pictures http://www.nzymes.com/Articles/cruciate_ligament_rupture.htm

Hi Slinky,
We were introduced to the Forever Living products two years ago. There was a stall at one of the Champion Shows. We bought the aloe vera  with glucosemine in and have used it ever since. We give it to our girls every other day. My husband takes it himself every morning too , he has had a few twinges etc. old age LOL. However, it is a bit pricey and he decided to go without his dose for a month to see if it was helping him. He is now back on his daily dose as he said that he felt his joints stiffing up after his golf. We give it to our girls and they don''t seem to be bad on it. I run it passed my homeopath friend and she thought that it was good, without additives you sometimes get in health  products. I use the gel. I suffer with eczema on my face, I use the gel daily and my face stays clear.
My friend bought another brand of aloe vera from a health food shop and it burnt the skin from her dogs tummy( He had a sweat rash ).
Good Luck
Ellie

My oldest Dally had one done about 3 years ago when she was 3.  She had some wires tied around to mend it and had to rest for ages.  The vet has told us it already had arthritus but she has managed to support two litters of puppies since having it done and the vet always said that was the telling time.  She doesnt appear at the present time to have had any adverse affects and always runs around like a loony with the rest of the spots although she did lose the muscle tone in her bum due to the long period of rest and never has looked quite as good as she used to. 

I had my own Posterier Cruciate repaired after a skiing accident.
I take glucosamine daily, there is a lot of good scientific evidecne that this substance can reduce the natural wear of cartiledge by promoting regrowth. It is regularly used to treat arthritis in humans.
It does need to be ingested, if the gel you are referring to is for external application it will have little effect, the chemical is not well absorbed through the skin.
Glucosamine is a natural mineral, it will not harm your dog.

Hi Slinky, Glucosamine & Chondrotin is good for the cartilage and it's safe.  But I agree its best digested, not rubbed on the skin.  I take synflex and my dogs are taking Synoquin. 

I'd definitely recommend hydrotherapy; it's fantastic for muscle tone, especially with an injury as it supports the weight in the water while your dog exercises his limbs.  I've seen a dog (a rottie) that couldn't walk at all after 2 discs had compressed his spinal cord. Seriously, he could not put weight on all four legs.  The owner tried hydrotherapy as a last resort and he responded very well.  There was a lot of emotion when he started to walk, although gingerly on all four legs.  He's still doing well today. I take my two for hydrotherapy every week, mainly for fun and to keep good muscle tone. They are getting on now and I like to keep the joints active without overdoing it. 

I also use a magnetic collar and find they do help to stimulate the bodies own natural healing process.