Joint Supplements..which to use?

[classygirl23]

I've never gave anything extra when feeding my bulldog no probotics, supplements etc....it always just seems so confusing!

Well I took her to the vet on Wed becuse she was acting lame when trotting for about 3 weeks so the vet diagnosed she was starting to develop arthritis in her front legs..shes a bulldog so you know they always have something wrong lol...so he said to put her on some glucosamine/chondroitin (sp) and we can just use the human stuff at the drugstore!

So does anyone have any recommendations on which ones to get? Thanks so much!

[Obedog]

I am sure you will get tons of recommendations, but just have to tell you that I put in my dogs food unflavored gelatin powder, everyday, and it does wonders for their skin, bones, coat, etc. Have to cut nails at least once a week, but it is great...

Also with the limping, have you tried a chiropractor? REALLY helps...

And a friend has a bulldog, and uses the "Missing Link" with the glucosamine... Also does wonders.

[classygirl23]

Originally Posted by Obedog

I am sure you will get tons of recommendations, but just have to tell you that I put in my dogs food unflavored gelatin powder, everyday, and it does wonders for their skin, bones, coat, etc. Have to cut nails at least once a week, but it is great...

Also with the limping, have you tried a chiropractor? REALLY helps...

And a friend has a bulldog, and uses the "Missing Link" with the glucosamine... Also does wonders.

do you know how the gelatin powder would affect a dog with kidney issues? she has had problems with her kidneys and they put her on the KD and we just got her levels tested again on Wed and they are normal which is great! but i dont want to give a bunch of stuff that would affect the kidneys or make them work harder than needed!

No we have not been to a chiropractor...probably every other kind of dr lol,, oncologist, eye dr etc lol... we just recently moved to the area so i would have to look into that! im sure she would love that lol!

is the Missing Link made for dogs or is it for humans?

[Cearbhaill]

There is a Missing Link Canine formula as well as a Missing Link plus glucosamine Canine. I don't know that I would rely on it for a therapeutic level glucosamine dosage.

I use Flexicose brand glucosamine. It is in a liquid form which is supposed to be more easily absorbed.

If you are going the drugstore capsule form just look for capsules and note the mg per capsule- they can be broken open and sprinkled over food.

I use the dogs body weight in lbs x 10 to give me the mg three x a day for a good loading dose. Weight times ten equals mg per dose times three times a day.
That is a 50 lb dog would get 500 mg three times a day, or even four if it is an emergency sort of situation.
You can lower it to twice a day after the first month.

These dosages are what I have always used- I have seen many variations so I don't believe it is that exact a science. Slightly over dosing won't hurt, it will just be excreted.

And remember that raw knuckle bones are made of cartilage tissues full of natural glucosamine and chondroitin.

[bdrcol22]

I uses Synovi G3 and Platinum Performance. I have never had a dog show signs or symptoms of arthritis, even if it was severe. Granted, I also keep them VERY lean, so there is little stress from additional weight.

[alimel]

I also like Synovi G3.

[classygirl23]

Originally Posted by bdrcol22

I uses Synovi G3 and Platinum Performance. I have never had a dog show signs or symptoms of arthritis, even if it was severe. Granted, I also keep them VERY lean, so there is little stress from additional weight.

where can you purchase this at? the vet just recommended anything over the counter that had both glucosimine/chondroitin in it!

And you are sooo right about the additional weight! my bulldog weighs 60 lbs right now. in Feb of last year she weighed 71 lbs..really obese...we started her on a strict diet and Slentrol and she has lost over 10 lbs since and is still going good! she is so much healther and happier and looks great! she could loose probably 4 or 5 more lbs though! its so hard to keep bulldogs from getting to obese

[sandvand]

I just buy the human drugstore brand at Costco for my dog. She has hip dysplaisa and has been doing great on glucosamine and ester C. Just as a side note, in humans chondrotin isn't absorbed much at all and studies have shown that it doesn't improve arthritis outcomes. The arthritis society (human of course) recommends glucosamine on its own. Also if you do go with something like Synovi 3 - check the glucosamine content. As Cearbhaill said it may not contain enough therapeutic glucosamine.

[weezyNollie]

I like Cosequin products. They come in a chewable tablet form. They are over the counter, veterinary clinics carry them and PetsMart now does too.

[classygirl23]

Well I purchased the CVS brand for the glucosimine/chondroitin over the weekend but they dont have how much of each is in it? they had it be strengths regular, and on up we just got the regular better safe than sorry i guess! the vet recommended 500mg twice a day so i've been giving her one pill twice a day!

how long before you start noticing if it is helping or not?