My poor dog has arthritic hips....any natural remedies?

[miss_thenorth]

Yes she is on glucosamine and chondroitin msm suppliments. I get them at the pet store.

Are you sure she's getting enough for her wwight/size? I cant remember the dosage, but our dogs were getting it too. Then we switched to a food that already has it in it. We partially fee raw.

 

[sylvie]

My vet gave me the names of 2 glucosamine/chondroitin meds, stronger than pet store stuff. She said I could buy people stuff and use dog dosage. This conversation came after I questioned the amount in Large Breed dogfood. She said it wasn't enough to have much of an effect.
I'll try to find the name-it was about $80 per month.

I gave my previous golden Rimadyl, which shortened her life. She began at 6 yrs and died at 8 yrs. I can't say enough bad about it.

Someone on here gives their dog crushed raw chicken wings, cartilage, from which is what I think chondroitin is derived. Not sure if I have that right, but it stuck in my mind because my current dog is definitely going as little vet interference as possible.

How about a heating pad where your dog sleeps?
I have had back issues and was told to use a heating pad, that the heat promotes more blood flow, making meds work more effectively, thus using less.

 

[big brown horse]

Thanks you guys!!

I used to feed them an all raw meat diet with some veggies and blueberries etc. until I moved up here. I should give her some raw chicken wings (banged-up with a hammer, right?) again.

She is getting the right amount of supplements for her weight according to the vet.

She has a floor bed too, but prefers the couch. It is modern in design, so it sits low to the ground. Still though, it is probably too high for her now. I should block it off, hua? She is not going to be happy!
Look how sad she can "try" to look:

Salmon oil? Does flax have vit E in it? There is flax seeds in her dog food. And "Wellness" does come in a salmon version.


Everyone, thanks for the info!! Watching your favorite best friend get old is NOT easy!

 

[Occamstazer]

This is more for you than for her, but I worked with several clients who had huge pets with mobility problems, and we eventually devised a "butt-harness" to help the human help the pet.
Often the animals have the hardest time just getting up, but once they are up they can get going. We took various harness pieces from the chest harness things, and sewed them into a device that went under the belly on one strap and then a loop going around each leg. These bits connect over the dog's hips/lower back, and there can be a handle on top for hoisting. I've used fake wool to pad the parts that go under for comfort.
It might make life easier if you're having to struggle to lift a moose several times per day

 

[hwillm1977]

I'm not sure about dogs, but I gave my old horse a glucosamine, chodroitin, MSM supplement that also had Hyaluronic Acid in it... the HA is what made the difference for my horse. I told my mom, who has bad hips and she started taking human doses... it's the first time she can walk without dragging her leg when she first stands up.

In the end my horse was getting the HA injected directly into his joints, it was the only thing that would allow him to walk for even a few weeks at a time.

With a face like that, it's pretty easy for her to use a 'sad' face... those droopy eyes/jowls just work on the heart strings...lol

 

[big brown horse]

It might make life easier if you're having to struggle to lift a moose several times per day

We call her that sometimes!

That is a really good idea! I have used an old towel to try to help her up. Getting it under her hips while she is lying down is hard. The butt-harness would be like a belt that she wears? If that is what you mean, that is a really good idea! I think I can make one easily. I never thought about it just staying on her!

Thanks!

BTW Sylvie, I would love to find out what the names are of the more potant supplements are.

 

[Iceblink]

The chondroitin in joint supplements is from shark cartilage. Since sharks have a similar life and reproductive cycle to humans and are being harvested unsustainably, I chose not to give my dog chondroitin supplements any more.


http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/SeafoodWatch/web/sfw_factsheet.aspx?fid=103

http://trueslant.com/jeffmcmahon/2009/08/05/glucosamine-chondroitin-sharks/

I buy a joint supplement called PhyCox, it contains (among other things) tumeric, blue-green alge, and boron. I have only been able to special order it from my vet, and it is expensive, but I think it's worth it.

Here is a site that lists the benefits of tumeric.

http://www.nutritional-supplement-educational-centre.com/turmeric-benefits.html

You could ask your vet about a milk protien supplement called Duralactin. It worked well for my 12 yr old Grey, and wasn't too expensive.

You might also think about using the services of a Certified Animal Massage Practitioner. Here is a site that briefly lists the benefits of animal massage, and a link to NWSAM that lists practitioners in the NW.


http://timbertails.com/default.aspx

http://www.nwsam.com/affiliates.html

Good luck with your girl, she looks really sweet.

 

[big brown horse]

I'm not sure about dogs, but I gave my old horse a glucosamine, chodroitin, MSM supplement that also had Hyaluronic Acid in it... the HA is what made the difference for my horse. I told my mom, who has bad hips and she started taking human doses... it's the first time she can walk without dragging her leg when she first stands up.

In the end my horse was getting the HA injected directly into his joints, it was the only thing that would allow him to walk for even a few weeks at a time.

With a face like that, it's pretty easy for her to use a 'sad' face... those droopy eyes/jowls just work on the heart strings...lol

Tell me about it! (She was a stray and uses that information to her advantage too. )

Thanks for that information, I will do an online search right now! I never heard of it before. Looking up Hyaluronic Acid...BRB

 

[FarmerDenise]

We gave DD's dog cannabis butter. It helped him a lot. But he did have a goofy look on his face.

 

[big brown horse]

The chondroitin in joint supplements is from shark cartilage. Since sharks have a similar life and reproductive cycle to humans and are being harvested unsustainably, I chose not to give my dog chondroitin supplements any more.


http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/SeafoodWatch/web/sfw_factsheet.aspx?fid=103

http://trueslant.com/jeffmcmahon/2009/08/05/glucosamine-chondroitin-sharks/

I buy a joint supplement called PhyCox, it contains (among other things) tumeric, blue-green alge, and boron. I have only been able to special order it from my vet, and it is expensive, but I think it's worth it.

Here is a site that lists the benefits of tumeric.

http://www.nutritional-supplement-educational-centre.com/turmeric-benefits.html

You could ask your vet about a milk protien supplement called Duralactin. It worked well for my 12 yr old Grey, and wasn't too expensive.

You might also think about using the services of a Certified Animal Massage Practitioner. Here is a site that briefly lists the benefits of animal massage, and a link to NWSAM that lists practitioners in the NW.


http://timbertails.com/default.aspx

http://www.nwsam.com/affiliates.html

Good luck with your girl, she looks really sweet.

Thank you (she is a sweetie) and THANK YOU for all that great info!! I never really thought about where chondroitin came from. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. :/