One of the most common questions folks ask around here is; "What joint supplements for Tripawd dogs should I get?"

Our first recommendation is: please talk to your vet about joint health before you spend a time on supplements. See, every animal has different joint health needs, and you can waste a lot of money on products that aren't doing a thing.

We want to help you start that conversation with your vet. Since we no longer actively publish in Tripawds Nutrition, here in this space we are sharing some joint health recommendations that Tripawds members' vets have suggested.

Below is our first example, Tripawd Daisy. These are the joint health products recommended to Daisy's Dad, by our long-time Fairy Vet Mother, Dr. Pam, in a recent "Ask a Vet" forum discussion. Dr. Pam is a vet, a Tripawd mom and very experienced in health care for amputee dogs.

Senior Dog Daisy Starts Slowing Down: Now What?

In the Ask a Vet Forum discussion called "Post-Amputation 3 months in she seems to be slowing down quickly," Daisy's dad writes:

Recently, for the past two weeks I would say, she seems to have slowed down a lot. She does not run at all anymore, she struggles to get up (she will sit up but then take a minute or so to get up and go outside). I am not sure if what I am seeing is age starting to catch up to her and limit her mobility or if there is something more concerning that I should be looking into.

@Aidan

In response to @Aidan's post, here's what Dr. Pam recommended:

Most likely she is sore in the other muscles/joints that are compensating for the loss of a limb.  At her age I would have her on some sort of glucosamine supplement ideally with green-lipped mussel such as YuMove and I have been adding in Flexadin Advanced which is a Type-II collagen that really seems to give quick pain relief to lots of dogs.  She should be on some sort of NSAID so maybe the liquid medication you have is Metacam then you can also add gabapentin +/- amantadine.  I like Adequan as well if you are comfortable adding injections and keep up the CBD.  I do not know much about Chinese herbal medicine but adding Body Sore never hurts.

@tazziedog

It's hard to say what exactly is going on with any dog or cat, since we don't have all the facts like lab results and a hands-on office visit. As it turns out, Daisy actually had a urinary tract infection, it wasn't pain-related at all!

But in the meantime, we did learn about these vet-recommended joint health supplements that you might want to discuss with your vet.

Here's a deeper look at three supplements for older three-legged dogs that can help restore mobility

YuMOVE

YuMOVE Joint Care PLUS supplement is ideal for canine athletes or stiffer, older dogs who need extra support. These tasty, chewable tablets are packed with Glucosamine and Hyaluronic Acid. They also contain 20% more ActivEase® Green Lipped Mussel (a source of Chondroitin) than their standard YuMOVE products for active dogs.

• Contains 20% more ActivEase® Green Lipped Mussel than our standard formula to help ease joint stiffness.
• Supports joint structure. Glucosamine and N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine provide basic building blocks of cartilage – the tough connective tissue that protects the joint.
• Helps support mobility. Hyaluronic Acid helps to lubricate and cushion the joint while antioxidants Vitamins C & E neutralize free radicals, helping to maintain joint mobility.

Flexadin Advanced (for Cats, too!)

Flexadin Advanced with UC•II^® supports healthy joints and flexibility in dogs and cats. The company says that based on one study, "UC•II^® has been clinically proven to be more effective than glucosamine and chondroitin.*"

• Enhances a pet’s normal repair of cartilage and joints
• Maintains joint function
• Promotes joint mobility and flexibility
• Works differently than other supplements containing hydrolyzed collagen peptides, glucosamine, chondroitin, or CBD

Adequan Canine

Adequan Canine has been around for almost 10 years. It's not a supplement, it's an actual medication. As of today it's the only FDA-approved cartilage-protecting treatment that helps dogs get better by treating the disease, not just its symptoms.

• Proven to restore joint lubrication, relieve inflammation, and renew the building blocks of healthy cartilage.
• Prescribing Adequan Canine early, before cartilage wears away completely, can help improve patient outcomes. Even if arthritis is not diagnosed early, it may help reduce the dog’s pain, allowing for increased activity levels.
• Available by prescription only.
• Given by injection twice a week for up to four weeks (maximum of 8 injections) at the approved dose. You may see your dog’s mobility improve within one month.

You can learn to do the injections yourself, to skip the vet visits. Many Tripawd dogs have had great success with this joint support medication.

More Vet-Approved Joint Supplements for Older, Bigger, Three Legged Dogs Coming Soon!

These are great vet-approved products, but we encourage you to have a conversation with your own veterinarian before purchasing anything.

Only you and your vet team know your Tripawd best, and when you work together you can come up with a plan to manage your Tripawd's mobility needs for a long time to come!

Watch for Part 2 of Vet-Approved
Joint Supplements for Older Three-Legged Dogs