Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I apologize if this subject has been covered before but after researching this subject I'm more confused than ever. We have a beautiful 7 yr old Shih Tzu-Bichon mix that had cancer over a year and half ago. She had her rear leg amputated, went through chemo has been cancer free ever since...thank god. However, she's now showing a bit of arthritis of her hip and has been taking G4 suppliment for a year now. But after reading multiple forums I see there could be better options. The three supplements I constantly am seeing are:
Glyco Flex 3, Synovia G4 & Cosequin.
Any help or thoughts on the subject would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
Tell us more about Bella- is that her name? What kind of cancer did she have? A year and a half post op...a Tripawd Warrior Princess!
Lots of information on supplements in our Nutrition Blog, is that where you were looking?
I use Dasaquin and really like it. I used if with my quad-pug Tani who had horrible arthritis, she was diagnosed at 6 years old. I use it now for quad pug Obie who is 10.5 years old and has had both knees repaired.
I used some type of joint supplement for Tri-pug Maggie but I don't remember what it was. Mag lost a rear leg to mast cell cancer and lived almost 4 years after surgery. My current Tri-puggle Elly is also a rear amp but is only 2 years old.
I started Tani on joint supplements when she was diagnosed with arthritis at 6 years old. I also used fish oil as a supplement. As she aged and her arthritis got worse we added several meds to keep her comfortable. Tani lived to almost 15!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I use Dasuquin too, together with a high quality fish oil, which has anti-inflammatory, and other, benefits. Both my dogs have arthritis, one in her (remaining) elbow, the other in her knee. They take metacam too and I've found physio exercises really useful for building and maintaining muscle mass. The quadpawd's arthritic knee was a lot less muscled than her good one and now they are more or less balanced again.
Ditto learning more about Bella. She looks so sweet in her avatar pic.
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
We are the same as Meg - Dasaquin and fish oil, both provided by the vet. Fish oil supplements can vary in quality and effectiveness, so I always felt safest buying from the vet, even though there are cheaper options available. Otis went from being unable to walk due to the arthritis to three almost symptom free years due to these supplements.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Oh gosh no need to apologize for asking important questions like this. Information is changing all the time so it's good to keep this topic fresh. Have you checked out the Tripawds Nutrition blog ? We have lots of good tips about supplements in there. Also, I'm curious, what kind of exercise is she getting? Arthritis is normal especially in Tripawds, but just as it is in humans, symptoms can be reduced when you help her perform gentle exercises like core-strengthening and balance games (see the Tripawds Gear blog for lots of tips on that subject). I hope this helps! Let us know what you decide to try.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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