Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Riley is my 10 month old Golden Retriever. He is tri-pawed as a result of nerve damage from hip surgery. His right hip was very severely displaced. His left hip is not perfect, but a lot better than the other. Should I be giving him glucosamine or something to help the other joints now? I didn't know since he is so young and if you can give things like that long term.
You can definitely give him a glucosamine/chondroiten sulfate product now. Fish oil can also help, since it is a natural anti-inflammatory. Other than that make sure that you feed a high quality food and keep him on the thin side.
Pam and Tazzie
One other thing in the can't hurt/might help category is Duralactin. Some agility friends of mine swear by it.
Cooper was diagnosed with elbow dysplasia at about a year old and I was told to expect signs of arthritis by three. At three years old he started his agility “career” and went pretty far with it, many titles and a championship, without a day of limping, until his left elbow went out at almost 8 years old. I've had him on glucosamine/chrondritin, MSM, Duralactin and fish oil his whole life. In addition to keeping him lean and obviously very well exercised (also in summer plenty of swimming and playing in water - muscle can compensate for weak joints.)
Whether any of that helped (and if so, which) I haven't a clue buit he did so well I figured I may as well keep up with the regimen!
In Jerry's blog, we wrote about how Synflex liquid glucosamine supplement for pets was an integral part of his diet. We believe it helped keep his hips healthy. He also had displaysia – as a puppy, his vet told us "Run him while he's young!"
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Dasuquin, made by Nutramax, is basically an updated version of their old glucosamine/chondroitin supplement Cosequin, but with the addition of avocado and soybean unsaponifiables (ASU). Apparently there was at least one study done in humans that showed ASU to be effective for relieving arthritis pain, and I have heard a lot of good things about it anecdotally, so that is what I'm giving my dog now. With luck, it will help keep his remaining joints in working order.
I give all of my dogs Dasuquin and Tazzie in particular has done well on it. It is an extra strength product which means less pills per day (at 190# Tazzie only needs two daily). I buy the one with MSM because it is a natural anti-inflammatory. Nutramax products are also guaranteed 99.9% pure and they are the only veterinary company I know of that has scientific research/studies behind their name.
Pam and Tazzie
I have a 4yr old chihuahua missing her front right leg and who has been a tripawd for over 2 years now. I adopted recently her and after talking with her previous owners, found out she's never been given vitamins or supplements ~ I've been researching the best supplements to give her and don't know which dosage or frequency I should give her glucosomine/chondroiten/fish oil/MSM?? Or if she only needs glucosomine and chondroiten? Does anyone else have a small breed tripawd that could share personal experience or lend advice? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
*~ohm mani padme hum~*
khristynn said:
... don't know which dosage or frequency I should give her glucosomine/chondroiten/fish oil/MSM??
The Synflex dosage calculator may help you determine appropriate daily glucosamine dosages. Jerry got Synflex, fish oil and other supplements as part of his canine cancer diet.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Khristy, thanks for joining us here at Tripawds, we're hoppy to have you as a member! While we don't have experience with a small dog's vitamin needs, maybe we can help somewhat.
We think the best thing you can do for a dog to make sure they're getting the right vitamins and minerals is to first start with a full physical at your veterinarian, with a blood workup that can show if there are any deficiencies in any of her systems. It's important to look at the entire health situation of your tripawd before beginning any kind of regimen. A vet can help you decide what would work well with any medications she is on. And if she has any issues like liver problems, your vet can help you avoid things that might complicate it. Like people, every dog is different, and we all have different needs.
You might also want to see a nutritionist too, after the physical, to guide you. The appointments sound like a lot of money to invest in upfront, but at least you'll know that you aren't just throwing your money away on supplements that may or may not help. A visit to a pro will really help you take the guesswork out of it.
Good luck. Please let us know what you find out, we'd love to hear more about this, and your new Tripawd. Congratulations!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I took Cheena to my vet and she perscribed Dasuquin for small dogs (60 lbs and under) - she takes 1/2 tablet each day and since they taste like treats, she gobbles it up - no cheese or peanut butter necessary:) I looked up DASUQUIN online for more info, and found out the following:
Dasuquin's active ingredients include avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) and chondroitin sulfate, as well as glucosamine. Glucosamine is a natural compound that is found in healthy cartilage in both humans and pets. It helps hydrate healthy joints by increasing the production of molecules that bind and hold water in the cartilage. Healthy cartilage provides cushioning which helps protect a pet's joints while exercising. Many believe that it provides clinical benefit in the synovial fluid by strengthening cartilage and aiding glycosaminoglycan synthesis. Further research on the effectiveness of glucosamine is still needed, but many of our customers find it to be very beneficial to their pets. The glucosamine is used in conjunction with sodium chondroitin sulfate, an important structural component of cartilage that provides much of its resistance to compression.
*~ohm mani padme hum~*
Yeah, Dasuquin is a good one for sure. I was just curious though, what made you and the vet decide that she needed a supplement like this? Does she have signs of arthritis?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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