Glucosamine For Dogs

My dog is a 12 ½ year old full size Blue Merle Collie. He more recently has been experiencing bad hip pain; it seems to have gotten worse as the weather has been getting colder. He has already done the 4 cortisone injections and seemed to be doing well until the weather got much colder. I had asked our vet if there is a mild pain reliever we can give him. She prescribed us Dameraxx. We have been doing some research on this drug and considering the side effects are not comfortable giving this to him. I tried speaking to the vet about alternatives, and she had not other real suggestions. I spoke with another vet who told me the first vet prescribed the drug for a reason so we should at least try it. They want us to give him this and then monitor his side effects, by then it will be too late. I would rather look for a more pro active approach. Ideally we were hoping for like a “Motrin or Tylenol Arthritis” but for dogs. Do you have any suggestion are can you offer us any alternatives?
I won’t actually give him motrin or tylenol. I was just looking for something compareable to this, but that is safe for dogs to take. Sorry for the confusion.
His health other than this problem is good. He recently had complete blood work and wellness testing, which all came back good.

I also have a 12 1/2 year old lab with arthritis – It always bothers him more when it’s cold out…

I give him 2 baby asprins in the morning and 2 at night (He’s 120lbs., so probably 1 morning and night would be right for your dog). It really seems to help him!

You can’t give him Motrin or Tylenol – They are both toxic to dogs and can kill him.

Technorati Tags: arthritis for dogs, dog arthritis

PAAWS is a revolutionary Anti-Aging & Arthritis Wellness System for dogs and cats, developed by world renowed veterinarian and author Dr. Carol Osborne, that pleased pet owners refer to as the Pet Fountain of Youth.

Duration : 0:1:52

Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: arthritis, arthritis for dogs, dog, glucosamine for dogs, health, natural, PAAWS, pet, supplement, veterinarian, wellness

What is the difference between hip dysplasia, arthritis, and just old age in dogs. I have a 10 year old rotwieller. Believe it or not. Sometimes when he gets up from laying he seems stiff. After he walks around it goes away. He can still jump off the couch and go after the ball or rope easily though. He only does that about twice a week though because his puppy energy is long gone.lol

Anyway what’s the difference between just old age and something else?

Hip Dysplasia is the result of improper joint formation at birth, In short, “the ball doesn’t fit in the socket”. this could mean the socket is too large, or doesn’t have the appropriate depth or shape to maintain proper control while allowing smooth and unrestricted movement. This also causes the ligiments and muscles to form improperly, and are generally not strong enough to support the leg.
If it isn’t treated at a young age, it generally results in arthritis.
Arthritis (in it’s common form) is the collective effects of the degeneration of various parts of the joint. The cartilage breaks down, leaving less padding for the joint, and the natural lubrication of the joint is decreasing. This causes inflammation in the joint, resulting in arthritis pain.
At his age and size, it would be very possible that the stiffness is a result of arthritis. If it were hip dysplasia, i would suspect you would have seen more severe symptoms well before now. What is described as “old age” is generally arthritis.
Arthritis pain is easily controlled, as well as supporting the joint tissue.
Supplements like a glucosamine/chondroitin mix will enhance the lubrication of the joint, preventing extensive cartilage wear. There are several minerals that are required in order for the body to use glucosamine, which is why I would insist you use a specially formulated supplement like Cosequin, Dasaquin, or Glycoflex.
The inflammation is controllable with anti-inflammatories – “doggy advil”. Rimadyl, Deramaxx, and Previcox are most common, and can be paired with Tramadol for extended relief.

Personally, I use Glycoflex on my dog, and have seen a huge difference in her motility and attitude in general. I do use Previcox on an as-needed basis, although I have had dogs in the past that required daily anti-inflammatories.

And I’ll keep going… (phew – one long subject!)

Some dogs respond better to some medications than others. Just like I prefer Ibuprofen, you may prefer Tylonol. If you try say, Rimadyl and don’t see the result you’re looking for, try another before giving up.
I do want to encourage you to try a joint supplement, no matter how you decide to treat. You can prolong your dog’s joint health and increase his quality of life without using a drug. The anti-inflammatory will only create comfort, while the supplement will support joint health.

Correct and Functional muscle is going to do alot for your dog, since that is what allows movement of the joint to begin with. Light, physical activity can promote overall health. Any extra weight needs to be lost with diet and light excercise – there is careful balance between keeping the muscles in shape and straining the joint. Swimming (or wading) is wonderful for circulation and muscle maintainance. Light walks (the softer the surface, the better) are also great.

Lastly, it could absolutely be something else. Cruciate tears, spinal damage, Lyme disease are all possibilities, although much less likely. A veterinarian could tell you much, much more.

Technorati Tags: arthritis for dogs

My 10 yr old yellow lab was just diagnosed with arthritis. She’s absolutely fine, most of the time, runs, swims, etc. But, she has days, when she can not put any weight on her right front paw. The Vet gave me medacam, and that works very well. But is there anything else I can do for her?
She is at her normal weight, about 62 pounds, she is definitely not over-weight. She swims in the pool daily (usually several times, even when the leg acts up). I do give her glucosamine supplements (in honey). I’m interested in the magnetic therapy, do they make small mattress pads for dog beds?
She;s definitely not overweight, and I dont think she did anything to the paw, because it hurt initially, but then was absolutely fine for about a month, and then back to holding it in the air. I was really beginning to think the arthritis diagnosis was not right, until she started limping on it again…I’m not that familiar with arthritis, is that how it is, comes and goes?

I used magnetic therapy on my dog that extended her years beyond what doctors said. The magnets were from Nikken.

Technorati Tags: arthritis for dogs

My Chesapeake (only three years old) has developed arthritis in her right, rear knee. Can anyone suggest treatments to help prevent or treat the pain and reduced mobility? thanks

You can give glucosamine/chondroitin 500/400. My lab weighs 100 lbs, I give him a dose of 1500/1200 (3 pills) every morning & every night.
The next step is to go to an Rx that the vet prescribes. The one’s that we use in our office are Deramaxx & Rimadyl. The Deramaxx is the most amazing medication I have ever seen. It takes a dog that can barely get up off the floor & they’re acting like a puppy again in just 2 days.The down side is they are expensive. I would try the gluc/chon first. It’s something you keep them on.

Technorati Tags: arthritis for dogs

Where do you live?
try http://www.paw4pets.com
or Osteocare biscuits are fantastic.

Technorati Tags: arthritis for dogs

Dr. Ken Pawlowski from Banfield Pet Hospital in Folsom talks about the signs of pet arthritis and treatments you can use to help prevent it.

Duration : 0:3:35

Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: arthritis, arthritis for dogs, dogs

My dog, hes 9 years old, he has really bad arthritis. He’s been doing good but lately his back right paw is so bad he can’t even walk. I don’t want to resort to getting him put down just yet because he’s gotten better before but it hasn’t really been this bad. Does anyone know if it’s safe to use Bengay on his leg? I would definitely sit with him and make sure he doesn’t lick it…but is it safe?

Please don’t. Whether he licks it or not, it will absorb through his skin. There are lots of wonderful medications made especially for dogs with this problem. They are not costly. At 9, your dog still has some good years left. Take him to the vet and get him some meds!

Technorati Tags: arthritis for dogs

Very interesting way to use technology in different ways to help avoid the sore muscles and stiff joints we usually see with arthritis for dogs. Anyone with arthritis knows that if you warm up muscles the pain of arthritis decreases. With this idea they just use a medical laser to warm up the affected areas …Neat!!

Read more here..
KTNV ABC,Channel 13,Las Vegas,Nevada,News,Weather,Sports,Entertainment,KTNV.com,Action News .:. Laser Treatment Helps Dogs In Pain

Tags: arthritis for dogs, dog arthritis, limping dog, arthritic dog

Technorati Tags: arthritic dog, arthritis for dogs, dog arthritis, limping dog

My dog is young but she will have arthritis due to serious knee surgeries i need something to give her now to help with the progression. Does anyone know of anything?
She has taken rimadyl before it scares me to give it to her because of the posssible side effects like liver and kidney damage, She is only 3 years old so I dont want to give her anything to harsh on her body just something to slow progression if possible.

Yes

You can start with glucosamine, but if that doesn’t do the trick talk to your vet about Metacam or Rimadyl.

Technorati Tags: arthritis for dogs