Glucosamine

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

Dexter is probably 90-95% healed from his knee surgery.  He was moving around w/o a limp and I think he overdid it a tiny bit so we're back to making him rest a bit.

 

One of my friend's dogs had the same surgery and she said the limp went away totally once she started giving glucosamine daily.  I know I could call my vet to ask, but does anyone give their doodle glucosamine supplements and if so could your recommend the brand?  I would prefer something chewable if possible.  Thanks!

[Kerri B. & Zoey]

My GR was taking glucosamine.  I was getting chewable tablets through an online pet med site (can't remember the exact name of it), but I think I had an RX for this.  She was on an over-the-counter before and my vet said it wasn't that great and recommended this RX strength instead.  This is what the bottle looked like http://www.1800petmeds.com/images/products/420/10317_420.jpg .

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I take glucosamine and it really helps. So does my Mum. I know of many older dogs (and cats) who have arthritis, hip problems etc who take it and their owners say theres a huge difference! It really helps with injuries too. There are many products out there, for humans, dogs and horses. I started taking a product manufactured locally (Vancouver, Canada) for humans, then switched to their dog formula, and now  take the horse formula. They are very similar, and apart from not having such a nice flavour, the animals ones are much cheaper. I take powder, but they do come in liver flavoured tablets. http://www.purica.com/recovery_sa.htm

[F, Calla & Luca]

I took glucosamine chondroitin for years. I don't think it did me any good. I stopped when the research studies confirmed it was no better than placebo. Yet some people swear by it.

[Jennifer Tramell]

I had a 14 1/2 yr old golden retriever mix who was having a progressively harder time standing, climbing and walking. It was October and we really didn't think he would survive the winter.  I started giving him glucosamine - just the human kind that we bought at Sams Club or Costco and had in our cabinet.   About 5 days later I was in the pasture at my mom's house and out trotted Cody.  Poor guy hadn't been able to come out the the pasture in months - usually he just slept in the house until I was ready to go - but out he trotted. We continued to give him glucosamine and it was amazing.  Good ol' Cody was standing straighter and walking prouder then he had for a long time - he acted like a 11 yr old instead of a 14 yr old :-)  Cody lived another year and was in good shape until the last 2 months. 

I highly recommend trying glucosamine.  We just stuck the pill in a hotdog or smothered it in peanut butter while teasing him with another piece (he'd gulp it down to get the next one and never notice the pill).