[NAGDU] Arthritis

[carcione at access.net]

Hi Danielle.
How do you give the fish oil?  We have fish oil capsules for ourselves, but
I don't think Krokus would eat one unless it was stuck into something like
cheese.  

I remember my old gal Echo taking pain meds for her arthritis when she got
really old.  I think it was Benedril.  She lived to be 17.  
Tracy


-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Danielle Sykora via
NAGDU
Sent: Monday, July 10, 2023 9:34 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Danielle Sykora <dsykora29 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Arthritis

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
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NAGDU mailing list
> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NAGDU:
>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/sblanjones11%40sbcglobal.
> net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NAGDU mailing list
> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NAGDU:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/dsykora29%40gmail.c
> om
>

_______________________________________________
NAGDU mailing list
NAGDU at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/carcione%40access.net