Big Dudes Joint Support

[Betsy Laban]

I was having a hard time searching for this this morning so wondering if any of you BIG dude people have had hip or joint issues?

Bodhi is 4, weighs in at about 100 pounds. He looks good, gets his share of exercise, but just the last week or so I am not sure what's going on.  He isn't moving like he used to.  No limping, just a little slow on the uptake even to get a treat.

Any of you using a good supplement?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Go to the VET!  If this is a new onset of a problem, it may not be a joint issue.

It could by Lymes Disease or just a muscle.  Could be as simple as having a burr in a paw pad. 

There are a whole host of reasons why your dog gets up slowly.  In reality, joint supplements were proven not to do much good at all on the joints. 

Sure, sometimes it is size. My Mastiff was huge and never had hip issues  :)  Just saying because it is a large dog does not mean hip issues will be a given. 

A simple vet assessment would be best before giving anything.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I'm sorry to hear about Bodhi. In my opinion supplements do not do any good really. As Joanne said you need to check him out and find out what you are dealing with.

[Stella]

Although scientific research in people says that Glucosamine etc is not effective, I have lots of anecdotal reports from human clients that it does help reduce their pain. When I was recently away on my Advanced Canine Rehabilitation course, the instructor did feel that it was beneficial in dogs. Her thoughts were that it was more useful as a preventative than as a treatment for a problem that has already developed. I think that, as so far there is no evidence that it is harmful, why not give the supplement. The only thing it will harm is your wallet!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

True, I have never heard that it is harmful.

[Stella]

Oh, and yes, you should get him checked by the vet seeing as this is a new problem.

[Lynda Kamrath]

250m Americans Infected?  Why does this ad keep coming up?