Joint Supplements - Page 1

I was wondering if anyone gives joint supplements to their younger sport dogs. I have an older GSD with severe HD, and she never got very far in Schutzhund or anything because it was too demanding on her joints. I have 2 younger adult dogs now, one of them is doing AKC competitions (Open Obedience and Agility). I want to keep their joints healthy now so when they are older their joints will still be healthy and not as deteriorated due to the physical demand of their training. I have been giving them (per my Vet's advice) human grade Glucosamine Sulfate, but a friend suggested to give Cosequin DS now. There are also some other joint supplements I am looking at. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you, Elizabeth

The best advice that I have been given concerning joint supplementation was from a human doctor (research) that also studied animals...he said to give Fresh Chicken (NEVER Cooked)...RAw chicken that is to your dogs...so for about 1 1/2 years now I add some raw chicken to their diets...I have a 14 year old female that I was using supplements but now just add a few pieces of raw chicken to her diet and she is doing ok...I also had a GSD (male) that had a very sensitive stomach and everything that I gave him would go straight through and end up on the kennel floor (always a mess)...but now after giving him "ONLY" raw chicken and vegetables sometimes he is doing great and no more messes... ~Bob~

I prefer the Cosquin DS, Ester C and MSM (for my dog, not me LOL).

The last time I checked the research on humans, chondroitin was the only non-Rx supplement that helped joints significantly. I have given it to puppies in either liquid, chewable or ground up pillform until they were at least one year old. Since it usually comes with glucosamine (which doesn't hurt the dog, but doesn't seem to do much), I have bought it that way. I believe that what chondroitin does is prevent hip and elbow inflammation because it is actually a cox inhibitor (cox causes the joint inflammation). I have a friend who alo has used it and feels it is worthwhile in the good development of hips and elbows. I have used the adult Rx level for each puppy. I'm sure that many breeders provide the equivalent of this through other dietary supplement means. It is likely that the inflammation in the joints are what causes the swelling due to extra fluid which can push the ball somewhat out of the socket which creates a cascading of further irritaion and inflamation leading to arthritic changes and HD (this apples only for hips conformed near normal, and does't apply to those with moderate to severe congenital malformation in young puppies). It is my own view that using chondroitin in this way serves to protect and improve near normal hip confirmation.

The best for dogs I give in my practice is Canine Petvital GAG and Arthro tabs. Arthro tabs is magnificent for older dogs and for young dogs with problems in growing. GAG is the strongest formula for working with dogs. Ten years old very big and strong in bones and body female with arthrosis and joint problem only after five days run like young dog.

I use Glyco Flex. They have 3 levels--depending on symptoms/diagnosis. I give my old boy stage 3, my 2 yo girl with OFA prelim diag of moderate HD and stage 1 elbows gets stage 2, and my 2 yo girl with no known problems gets stage 1 to help with her future years.

I use only Cosequin DS, I have used it for years and from my experience, I have tried others, and always went back to Cosequin. Most of my friends that are breeders and my SchH friends use this or Glyco-flex. I also heard Synovi (sp?) was very good but I have not used it or have any experience with it.

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_adequan.html

Check out Wobenzyme. Written up in the Whole Dog Journal. An enzyme researched and pioneered by 2 Columbia University chemists, Drs. Wolf and Benetz (hence Wo-Ben-zyme) This product has been extensively clinically tested in Germany. It is a human grade product sold in such shops as Whole Foods but available much cheaper on the net. The same product is sold as Fido Wobenzyme, absolutely no difference but the label and it cost more... This product is superb for arthritis. I gave kept my 13.5 male going to the very end as I use it on my 12 year old female who is still leaping up the stairs several times a day and regularly walks 2 miles.

Good article by a vet who does schutzhund can be found here: http://www.workingdogs.com/deboer_supplement.htm -Calvin