Dog Community

Supplements for arthritis and more..

Posted : 3/13/2006 11:57:10 AM

Hello all-

My 3 year old golden, Bailey, has been diagnosed with a grade 1 luxating patella and the doctor's also found hip displaysia- which has sent me into full blow panic mode.[X(] The ortho doctor recommended surgery and also said he "might" has a torn acl behind his knee.. Now keep in mind..no xrays has been taken on the knee yet. Bailey has been walking and running on the knee but we did notice him favoring the leg.

I bought Synovi G3 (he's been on it for 4 weeks now)and he has been on Missing Link Plus for months. Here's the thing.. he's link a puppy now! Running, jumping, rumbling with his 1 years old golden brother.We will be monitoring the knee and hips but just didn't feel the need to put the poor pup through a rough surgery now...

I'm sorry this is so long but I wanted to give you the background...

HERE'S MY QUESTION:
Synovi G3 contains 900mg Glucosamine HCL, 800mg MSM, and 500 Creatine
Missing Link Plus: 500mg Glucosaine

I'm missing the Chondroitin!! Is there a product out there that just contains that ingredient? Am I giving too my glucosamine? I've read about Ester-C and Know Joint geletin..I would like to start those too but I don't want to overlaod..

I am will do anything to help build up my pup's joints but I aslo want to make sure I have the right "recipe".. PLEASE HELP! Any and all opinions would be appreciated!

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 3/13/2006 12:06:05 PM

When my older dog developed arthritis at about 12 I got him some of the Kirkland brand of glucosamine w/chondroitin at Costco and it worked great for him. He was actually walking better at 15 than he was 3 years earlier.

Patty Chappell

Posted : 3/13/2006 12:07:44 PM

What was the dosage? Is is pill form or powder? Bailey is 82lbs. Thanks!!!

calliecritturs

Posted : 3/14/2006 12:31:18 AM

Remember some doctors/vets actually say to give glucosamine OR chondroitin and not both together -- it's one of those medical "opinion" things that differs hugely. Try it both ways and see which way works better.

Patt

Posted : 3/15/2006 12:00:13 AM

I've used SynoviG3 with good results and now using Vetri-Disc w/Chrondrotin both are excellent meds. I would be careful not to overdose on the Glucosamine. ITA with Callicritturs C&G do not have to be given together. Your vet should be able to advise you.

calliecritturs

Posted : 3/15/2006 8:07:24 AM

I honestly don't have any real preference about how to give Glucosamine and/or chondroitin. In total honesty I really haven't had great luck with it unless it's of a very high quality and even then I don't take it for my OWN arthritis.

Adequan, if you are wanting to hydrate the tissues, can be a superb option as that does both (I'm told) hydrating PLUS re-building of cartilage.

Ify ou are talking about a dog where real arthritis has set in, or dysplasia is really evident (where there has already been wearing of the tissue between the joints) -- then I've had super good luck with Knox Nutra Joint. That does not hydrate, nor is it for 'pain'. It specifically gives the body what it needs (it's just gelatin & calcium) to re-build cartilage -- literally it is a more permanent thing.

But you have to take it like three months (no interruptions -- just plain give it EVERY day) before you see any improvement. I've used it on dogs with great success -- and that's one that helped me, personally, a great deal and the 'change' is permanent. It's cheap -- like 1/2 scoop for most dogs per day which makes a cannister of it last ($9) a month. Just use the unflavored one.

If you are using totally as a 'preventive' measure then NutraJoint won't do much.

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 3/15/2006 3:26:53 PM

The ones I got at Costco were pills - each tablet was 500 mg. glucosamine/400 mg. chondroitin. If I remember right, it was about $20 for 180 tablets and I gave him 2 a day, one each a.m. and one each p.m.