Hi all

My Lurcher is now nearly 11 years old and is starting to get a bit stiff in the legs.  A check up by our vet comfirmed that there's nothing wrong with him apart from getting older.  He then told us maybe a supplement would help but he wouldn't endorse any himself.

I'd be interested in hearing what supplements you use for your dogs, and if you find they make a difference etc?  Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance :-)

Paula

I use synoquin which is glucosamine and chondroitin that i get from the vets, which has done wonders for meg when she pulled her cruciate. (She also has arthritis in her toes). THere is also one called cosequin, glycoflex, cortaflex and seraquin which is a variation on the same thing. Green lipped mussel is also commonly used too (and i think may be in some of the supplements i have named too. ) Rhus tox is a homeopathic treatment which is supposed to help arthritis, but i've never used it on its own, only in combination with the synoquin, so i can't say how effective it is.
It mught also be worth looking into getting a bioflow magnetic collar, there are also supposed to help.

A friend of mine used a bioflow colour on her aged Ridgeback - she was so lame on her front pasterns that I must admit, I probably would have thought of having her pts.  In a very short time, she was comfortable and running round again.  Amazing.
I've used glucosomine and chondroitin tablets for my middle aged and aged dogs, I've bought human grade tablets.

Devil's Claw is another supplement I've heard of that's meant to help, but I haven't had any need to try it yet so can't say personally. :)

If you google Healthspan, they have a range for dogs and cats. I have just bought the glucosamine and they must taste good, because they disappear really quickly. free mailorder

Hi there

Thanks eveyone, i've narrowed it down to a bioflow collar and also i've just googled and ordered some of those vits as well, they do sound good, so fingers crossed :-)

Bye for now

I use Glucosamine with Chondroitin as well, but I won't get it from the vet -they charged £54 three years ago for a bottle of 120 capsules, I can usually get  two tubs the same size for about a tenner from http://www.vitaminsdirect.co.uk depending on what offer they have on at the moment. :) (I use the human version, Hi Strength, NOT their pet version.) My Dandy (Golden with hip score of 96) could hardly walk before he was put onto them, now he's doing really well. Bear in mind it takes 4-6 weeks of daily feeding before it shows an effect.

You know when you use human strength how do you work out how much to give them a day?

I've been looking at the human version but was worried in case i overdosed or underdosed, Toby weighs about 25kg.

I asked my vet, showed him the tub, and he said it was fine to use and that it wasn't possible to overdose. I give Dandy 2 capsules a day and he weighs 38 kgs, but I also used to give Rambo 2 capsules when he was alive and he weighed 25 kgs. My mum takes the same capsules (we buy in bulk LOL) and she takes 3-4 a day.

My mum also uses these and I have wondered about putting mine two dogs on them.  Would anyone suggest using them merely as a supplement.  My dogs are very healthy but I like to make sure I am giving them what they need.

Any thoughts?

I use glucosamine/chondroitin as just a supplement. My boy (who's 2) loves to run run run and chase every rabbit and squirrel in sight (as you know :D), scaling anything and everything in his way. It's incredibly muddy everywhere at the moment and he is skidding around and getting a knock here and there, so I think it can only be a good thing to protect the joints as much as possible. Prevention is better than cure afterall :P

Thanks for that.

As you say prevention is better than cure.

They both come from parents with really good hip scores but Bran never stops so I think I'll get some.

From the Mayo Clinic -

Side Effects and Warnings:

There is limited long-term safety data on chondroitin, although it appears to be well tolerated in most trials.

Adverse effects that have been rarely reported or are theoretical include: headache, motor uneasiness, euphoria, hives, rash, photosensitivity, hair loss, breathing difficulties, subjective tightness in the throat or chest, exacerbation of previously well-controlled asthma, chest pain, elevated blood pressure, lower extremity edema, gastrointestinal pain/dyspepsia, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, transaminitis, increased risk of bleeding (theoretical), bone marrow suppression (animal research), eyelid edema.

Use with caution in patients with bleeding disorders or taking anticoagulant medications. Avoid in pregnant or breastfeeding women.

They describe the likelihood of side effects as small, but I still wouldn't use it prophylactically, especially as there is no evidence that I know of to suggest it works in preventing damage. I do have my old lame girl on Cosequin.

Some of the articles on the Healthspan site seem to suggest otherwise (re. whether chondroitin works):

>These days, it is rare to find any practitioner orthodox or holistic who does not recommend glucosamine to a patient with arthritis, because the evidence for its effectiveness is overwhelming2. Glucosamine is a metabolite, made in the body, but as we get older, less is produced and as a result, joint health suffers. As scientific evidence from recent clinical trials also supports supplementary chondroitin for joint health, there is an added benefit from taking a supplement of glucosamine plus chondroitin.

>Several comprehensive clinical studies have found that chondroitin actively improves joint repair, helps prevent new erosion and loss of joint space as well as significantly easing joint pain. Chondroitin sulphate has also been tested against the pain-killing anti-inflammatory drug, diclofenac: of the 146 people with osteoarthritis who participated, those taking chondroitin enjoyed pain reduction for up to three months after the treatment finished, whereas those on diclofenac experienced an immediate return of their previous symptoms.

Hi there

Well i've been out & bought some from our local health shop today.  I have to say it was loads less expensive than buying ones just for dogs.

I'm going to start him on them tomorrow morning, think i'll give him 2 a day as well like your Rambo.

Fingers crossed they do him some good :-)

The active components are Glucosamine and Chondroitin and these are the same ingredients whether manufactured for human use or animal use.  However those formulated for animals will have a different base, which will make them more palatable to your dogs.

As for dosage, assume that the the human ones are based on a 10st weight and adjust according to the weight of your dog.

This only applies for straight glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, if they have additional vitamins and minerals then care should be taken not to overdose your animal.

Thanks for that, it's much appreciated, i got the ones with just the G & C in thought this was best.  I'm giving him just one a day for now as well to see how it goes.