Joint Supplements

[MokeyBird]

I am considering trying a joint supplement on my three year old black lab mix. Since it has gotten colder he has appeared rather stiff in getting up and his preliminary movements after getting up. He is just getting over a slight sprain to his left rear leg and that seems to be the leg that is troubling him the most. He is very active, much of the time. He really enjoys running in the pastures when we go out to check the mares, hunting scents and spooks.

Do any of you use joint supplements on your dogs? Are there any natural additives that you all know of that I could add to his food to help him get over this weather change stiffness?

And within the next two weeks I am packing up all my dogs and we are going to the vet(to save on unnecessary office visit charges, we take them all at once. heh heh) for some shots, so I plan on asking him as well about what I can do. Thanks, and have a nice day.

[jilfina]

I give Sugar a joint suppliment. The difference is though, is my dog is 11.

The vet was going to prescribe her something, but when she noticed allergies recomended something OTC for her. I'm not going to give out medical advice though. But I do see a huge improvment in my pup.

You can also always call your vet and see what they recomend.

[Chaos]

My 9 year old has moderate arthritis in one of his knees. He has meds for it, but the thing that REALLY helped is a glucosamine/chondroitin suppliment. You can use it for a dog of any age though. Get the stuff from the vet, the people pharmacy stuff is mixed, and will not do as good a job at all. The stuff we get is expensive, but pure glucosamine/chondroitin and it works.

[maryjane238]

SYNOVI! I love this stuff. It's a glucosamine and fatty acid supplement specifically for dogs. It comes in either a powder to mix with food or chewable treats (what I use). It has worked wonders with my 2 year old GSD with hip dysplasia. It took about 8 weeks to see improvement but now he shows almost no physical symptoms. It costs about $75 from petmeds.com for 240 of the treats. You give a higher dose for the first 4-6 weeks and then you drop down. I liked it so much, I put all of my dogs on it. The 240 ct. tub lasts me about a month but that is for 4 large dogs. For one dog, you should only have to buy it every 4 months or so.