Glucosamine/Chondroitin - Page 1

Hello all, need some advice.  Bought a 29 month old GSD import a little less than a month ago.  Came with pinks and an a-fast normal stamp on the paperwork.  Have always been paranoid about hips and GSD's (aren't we all) so went out and had hips x-rayed myself by local vet with a lot of GSD x-ray experience.  Anyway, he said that in his opinion, he thought elbows are good and that hips would be OFA normal.  Although he did say he saw a little laxity in left hip with no arthritic changes at the moment, he did offer his opinion that left hip would go thru some arthritic changes at some point as a  result of said laxity.  No idea when or how severe.

He looks good running/walking (I know...) but sometimes I just don't know.  Anyway, would it be a bad or good idea to give glucosamine/chondroitin supplements just to promote general cartilage health or do I need to wait for arthritic changes to actually occur?  Want to take care of him as best I can....

Another tidbit, amazing to me that 29 month old GSD had never seen wood floors or stairs before....he's past it now, but what an ordeal for a little while.  Had to run out and buy some cheap rugs to throw down for a while.

Thank you all in advance for your help...here's his pedigree link.

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/540708.html

fish oils green liped muscle extract are also great

try swimming him ,keep him lean ,but dont worry too much

build his muscle up (this will help with the wear and tear on the joints) uphill trotting is super for this. keeps you fit! 

tracie

ps he is lovely

I triuied Syn-Flex  on my dog as a general supplement but my dog totally lost his appetite. I personally feel one should be a little careful about all the stuff out there in the market.

Nothing like a tummy full of good rich balanced food everyday

cheers

Yes it would benefit your dog .  My competition dog dogs in training and puppies are all on a joint supplement .

My jointsupplement of choice is Nu Joint Plus

http:www.nujoint.com/06099.html

Pia

sorry posted wrong link above

here is the right one

www.nuvet.com/06099

Pia

Thank you all for your advice....

Pia, puppies too?  I have a 5 month old from working lines that I intend to do Schutzhund with.

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/538463.html

I work for orthopaedic surgeons and they recommend glucosamine all the time. I would not wait until you have a problem. I use it myself and it helps - with NO side effects.

yes falcon   Puppies also . I add joint supplement as soon as weaning starts !  I swear by the Nu Joint and Nu Vet Plus supplements . I am sure a lot has to do with genetics  however since feeding the Nu Vet / joint supplements I have had much success  in the hip ratings of the dogs I have bred.   I have never had any side effects or complication with the digestive track in my dogs .

just xrayed 2 litter mates last week both passed  tomorrow another littermate and a female of another breeding will be xrayed  > hoping I have the same out come as last week :)

Pia

Pia and all, thank you again for all the great advice.  Anyone use Flaxicose before?  Thoughts?

Pia, continued good luck with those x-rays!

Dan

yes with great sucsess just get the dosage right or it can upset tummys but v good esp in mild cases