[NAGDU] Arthritis

Tue Jul 11 13:13:13 UTC 2023

Hi Tracy,

You could definitely give a fish oil capsule however you would give
any other pill. I buy fish oil in a liquid form in a bottle with a
pump. It is more cost effective that way, which is great since I have
multiple large dogs. You can just squirt it on their food.

If the vet does prescribe pain meds, it will probably be gabapentin to
start. Gabapentin is common, cheap, and pretty safe to be on long
term.

Danielle

On 7/10/23, Tracy Carcione via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 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
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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.com
>