Joint health and supplements

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Karen, I'm hoping maybe you can give me some good advice (you always do) about supplements for our aging Doodles. Lucy just turned 10 years old and I am noticing a reluctance to get up and run around like she used to . She is slower to stand and I just want to get ahead of joint issues if possible. I realize she is aging and its natural however I want to give her anything I can to help her out. I have read that glucosamine really isn't all that great but I really don't know. Is there something I can give her that is natural and not a prescription drug? She really is fine right now, just slowing down a bit.

I'm sure you probably have other discussions on this but the search function really doesn't work...

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I’ll throw this out there. We are giving both our doods glucosamine with MSM. Our vet said he could hear some clicking in Maci’s hip joint, so he suggested we get ahead of it and start her on it. 

Personally, I believe it works for my hips, so why not give it a try for my doodles.  We crush them up and give them in plain non fat yogurt everyday. 

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Thank you Leslie! If it works for your Doodles then it’s certainly worth a try.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

We have some discussions on this in the Health Group.

Glucosamine and chondroitin seem to work better for dogs than for humans. There is also an ingredient in some of the G & C products ASU (avocado saponins I believe it is) that was recommnded to me by a physical therapy vet.

Cosequin and Dasuquin both make reliable products. 

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Thanks Karen! I will check out the health group discussions. I’m willing to try anything as long as it’s not harmful!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The last year or so of his life, JD was on one of the Cosequin products. It was perfectly safe, even for him, and it did seem to help his mobility. 

[Nellie's Mom]

Years ago, we had golden retrievers who loved to fetch sticks in the water.  They would keep retrieving as long as someone (anyone) would throw them a stick.  The next day, however, our dog Tanner, would be so stiff and sore - he could hardly get up.  Our vet recommended glucosamine at the time and we got Schiff Move Free at Costco for him.   The difference in Tanner was truly amazing on glucosamine.  He was like a younger dog and didn't have the stiffness like before.  My husband actually started taking glucosamine himself after seeing the change in Tanner and it helps him too.  I don't know if it would help every dog, but that was our experience.  

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Wow, Thats great to hear! I may have to try it myself for the arthritis in my hands. Thank you!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We are giving Clancy and Charlie Dasuquin daily.  Clancy just because he's 11 and heavy boned and Charlie has trouble getting up and often has a limp.  I feel the product truly helps both dogs.  Since giving it to Charlie, he hasn't displayed difficulty getting up at all.