[NAGDU] Arthritis

[Danielle Sykora]

Hi Tracy,

I've had a few dogs with various degenerative joint diseases.
Currently my 11 year old retired guide Thai has arthritis in his left
hip and knee.

I like to start all of my dogs on a glucosamine supplement when they
are around 6 or 7, or younger if they have some kind of joint disease
like hip dysplasia or an injury. Typically the dogs started younger
would be pets not guides obviously. I use the brand VetriScience
GlycoFlex and I get their chewable tablets (not soft chews). They are
similar to Cosequin and Dasuquin, but generally less expensive, though
the price difference is not as significant as it used to be. Cosequin
and Dasuquin are also great options.

I also recommend adding fish oil. Omega-3s in fish oil are great for
all sorts of inflammation including joints, eye health, cognitive
health, allergic responses, etc, and also tend to improve skin and
coat.

For a couple of my dogs, this was all they needed and it made a big
difference. I had to bring Thai to the vet last fall however, because
he was showingg signs of discomfort despite the fish oil and joint
supplement. They confirmed it was a good idea to continue these
supplements, and put him on prescription pain meds. He takes
gabapentin twice daily, and gets Rimadyl as needed. This combination
works really well for him.

I'm sure you already know that maintaining a healthy weight, even on
the more lean side of healthy, will improve arthritis by putting less
pressure on the joints. Also, encouraging small amounts of low impact
exercise multiple times a day is great. Too much exercise can cause
pain, but so can not exercising enough. Thai has a lot of energy, so
it is a challenge to meet his exercise needs without causing
discomfort later. That's where the as needed medication really helps.

Good luck,
Danielle




On 7/8/23, Susan Jones via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I usually start Dasoquin when my dogs are young.  Some schools, like
> Guiding
> Eyes, or the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP)
> can get Dasoquin free from Nutromax.
> I just started it for my four-year-old boy.  The earlier you start it, the
> more you are doing for their joint health.
>
> Kind regards,
> Susan & Topher
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione via
> NAGDU
> Sent: Friday, July 7, 2023 3:09 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: carcione at access.net
> Subject: [NAGDU] Arthritis
>
> My old boy Krokus is getting a bit stiff in his back end.  The vet
> recommended Dasuquin, a joint supplement.  We bought Nutromax Dasuquin soft
> chews from Chewy, and he's been getting one a day since January, after a
> double dose a day in December.  Maybe it helps some, but he still seems a
> bit stiff.  It's hard to tell, now I don't walk with him in harness, but
> that's how it seems to me.
>
> I'll take him to the vet again next month probably, but I was wondering if
> other people are giving their dogs something for arthritis that's working
> well.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Tracy
>
>
>
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