Glucosamine for dog's aging joints?

[Junkman]

Re: Glucosamine for dog\'s aging joints?

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Me, my Labrador, and one of my horses take a dose of Farnam Fluidflex (for horses, no MSM) on our chow every morning. I've tried several brands over the last 5 years and the Fluidflex seems to perform the best. I used to give Rimadyl to the Lab on the occasion of extra pain but I've found that a plain old buffered aspirin works about as well.

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I would be very careful taking this Farnam product. It almost killed my neighbor a few years ago. He was also using it and feeding it to the dog. One day, while lying on the lawn, a garbage truck went by and he started to chase it. He was hit by a car and almost died. Good thing that the dog was out there too. He was the one that ran for help.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[HickoryNut]

Re: Glucosamine for dog\'s aging joints?

I'm too old for chasing cars but I will say horse treats taste much better than dog biscuits.

 

[Currmudgeon]

Re: Glucosamine for dog\'s aging joints?

One day, while lying on the lawn, a garbage truck went by and he started to chase it. He was hit by a car and almost died. )</font>

At least he wasn't sitting in the driveway, licking hi.... <WHACK> Owwww!

I've approached the issue from a different POV. We have switched to raw feeding. Mostly chicken wings, but it's a bit more complex than that. You have to get the meat-bone ratio right and supplement. http://www.rawdogranch.com is about the best reference on the BARF (Bones & Raw Food) (aka Birds and Rotten Fish) diet. It's run by a friend of mine.

Our ten year old German Shepherd Dog Sheila (The stubbornest dog on the planet) was nearly crippled with arthritis, and I thought we were going to have to put her down. We switched to raw food, and the improvement was remarkable. Last year, when the vet did her blood work, he had to call the lab to verify they hadn't got the samples mixed up. The results on the 12 year old looked like a five year old dog.

It's also got the weight off her. Sheila had weighed over 100 pounds on a reduced diet, literally counting five kibbles into her bowl, and was gaining weight. She can walk past a sealed bag of kibble and gain weight. She's down to 68 pounds, doesn't try to steal food, and doing fine for an old codger.

Our vet was sceptical. Most vets are. He now refers people to us for advice.

 

[gsxr1100]

Re: Glucosamine for dog\'s aging joints?

BARF is good but takes a long time to make... and do it daily. My wife is the natural freak and I said good luck to here. I want no part of it since I have better things to do.

Yes it is better but as noted above, there is no one best food. Do what makes the dog happy. My pits are now on Flint River since Pro Plan and chicken soup are now out. I stay away from Foods with the #1 ingredient is a by-product.

Overweight is bad no matter what. That is why my rotties had Hip and ACl problems. The first owners did not know how to feed the dog. So $$$$$ later they are fine. People think a fat dog is a happy dog. Too bad you are killing the dog!

 

[johnday]

Re: Glucosamine for dog\'s aging joints?

Vetgirl; Thanks for the pro advice. Right now we're just giving her an aspirin a day mixed with her food. That makes a huge difference in her. Since we have a couple cats to be spayed, I'll take it up with my vet. Again, thanks, and welcome to TBN. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Hey, and how about that bio? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[gsxr1100]

Re: Glucosamine for dog\'s aging joints?

I am not vetgirl /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif but I would not use asprin everyday. Use it only when needed since it is just masking the problem. Also depending on the weight you can use more then one. Our rottie gets up to 975 mg of plain asprin if her legs act up.

Also gets fatty acid/ Vit E supplements.

 

[PondKeeper]

Re: Glucosamine for dog\'s aging joints?

Careful with that asprin, consider ascriptin, much easier on the system.

We have used a product Glyco-Flex II with good results on our Bernese Mountain Dogs. K-V Vet is an excellent source for canine products at the best prices we have found. They are considered a horse product company but don't let that scare you away.

Michael M.

 

[Vetgirl0618]

Re: Glucosamine for dog\'s aging joints?

Anytime!! I finally got around to writing that bio. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Asprin works well just be careful if its not buffered as it can cause stomach upset or even ulcers if used heavily long term. If ure using a low dose like 1 per day it might be ok...my friend has an 8 year old lab who gets 1 asprin a day for qrthritis and is doing well...this was hoever her veterinarians advice so please make sure you ask him/her. Keep me posted, and thanks for the welcome.

 

[Freds]

Re: Glucosamine for dog\'s aging joints?

I BARFed for 3-1/2 years and loved the results. Unfortunatley, when I moved out to the country and no longer made regular visits to my butcher, he stopped getting chicken backs in for me. I feed the Canidae I mentioned now, but may give Innova's new Evo a try. It's a bit pricier, but totes itself as kibbles answer to BARF. High protein, no grains and low carbs.
One thing I liked about the raw diet, was my two dogs seemed much more muscular in the front area. Probably from chomping on the bones.

 

[gsxr1100]

Re: Glucosamine for dog\'s aging joints?

Hi Vetgirl! Welcome to TBN. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Again it depends on the dogs weight. Smaller dogs need less.

I have used Benadryl for food allergies and Pepcid AC for things.

I would personlly go onto a dog forum and ask since some vets are clueless and many only know "the RX" route and not other means. Some love meds.

there are many non-meds routes too many things.