[chubby]

hi everyone,

I've noticed that Butters is already exhibiting joint problems on our walks, her back legs seem stiff at times and bowed towards the centre, and sometimes she lifts one up, and seems like she tries to kick it out (luxating patella??). I need to take her to the vet to get an xray and see what's happening with her joints, and also I want to give her some supplements for her joints and more generally fish oil, as this is something I take everyday as well.

She's 8 months old, female, 10 pounds.

How much liquid fish oil and liquid Glucosamine is recommended for her everyday? I feed her a raw diet, but don't really feed her fish yet, so I have a fish oil supplement I take that has mackerel, sardines and Anchovy body oil. I don't know a good Glucosamine brand for dogs..

Any recommendations are much appreciated!!

Thank you!!

 

[CrazyDogLady]

I give Mercy 1 tsp of Sea Pet and 1/2 Dasuquin. These dosages are slighly below those recommend for a dog her size, but she doesn't actually have any joint issues. I'm giving them to prevent problem that would be serious for a tripawd, in the future.

 

[Abbylynn]

I cannot advise on glucosamine but I give human grade fish oil to my dogs. It is mercury free. I just wanted to mention that if you are giving fish oil it is important to also give vitamin E three times a week. The dogs body uses up its own vitamin E to utilize the fish oil. If the dogs vitamin E levels are incorrect ... long term health issues are at risk ... such as bone and joint among others. I give human grade vitamin E also. I cannot say how much to give because my dogs are larger than yours. Ask your vet while you are there ... they can give the proper dosage. Hope this helps some.

 

[blues327]

I would make sure it's the natural form of Vitamin E (d), not synthetic (dl), so look for d-alpha-tocopherol, not dl-alpha-tocopherol. You also want it to be tocopherol, not tocotrienol.

 

[Abbylynn]

I would make sure it's the natural form of Vitamin E (d), not synthetic (dl), so look for d-alpha-tocopherol, not dl-alpha-tocopherol. You also want it to be tocopherol, not tocotrienol.

Thank you for that info reminder!!! ... I forgot to mention that!

 

[chubby]

That is really good to know - I fed her one capsule of Fish Oil today (gel caps so she just chewed it) and she liked the taste! I don't know how to feed her Vitamin E though - does that come in some kind of liquid gel cap as well?

Does anyone know which brand for Vitamin E and Glucosamine is good? (GNC, Nutri-Vet, 21st Century, etc). By good, I mean uses safe ingredients, proper potency, few if any fillers, no harmful side effects, and general effectiveness. Thank you!!

 

[luv mi pets]

I would make sure her raw diet's calcium/phos ratio is right. If this is off can cause joint/bone problems. More than likely not the problem, but something that needs to be checked. Toy breeds do suffer from lux. patellas and also suffer from legges perthes. If your dog is affected by either one of these diseases no matter what you feed her will not take care of these problems. I would definitely have a vet check her before starting her on these supplements. Won't hurt her to give them to her but you might be needing to spend your money on a surgery.

 

[Abbylynn]

That is really good to know - I fed her one capsule of Fish Oil today (gel caps so she just chewed it) and she liked the taste! I don't know how to feed her Vitamin E though - does that come in some kind of liquid gel cap as well?

Does anyone know which brand for Vitamin E and Glucosamine is good? (GNC, Nutri-Vet, 21st Century, etc). By good, I mean uses safe ingredients, proper potency, few if any fillers, no harmful side effects, and general effectiveness. Thank you!!

Vitamin E is also gel caps. I use the 400IU - human grade .... but ask your vet about the dosage ... it is very important. I only give one vitamin E gel cap to an almost 60 pound dog three times a week. Like was mentioned ... I would get a vet check first. I would call to see first before starting any supplements. Too much of anything can be harmful. I use a generic store brand from my area.

 

[AmyH]

I'm not a vet, but it sounds like she may have hip dysplasia. Dogs will generally start displaying signs (similar to what you're describing) when they're less than a year old. Be careful giving her fish oil. If she starts producing stools with blood, discontinue immediately. Neither of my dogs could take it, and they weren't even getting that much. I do give my eldest dog, Synflex liquid glucosamine. Her arthritis was so bad that she had trouble getting up and down our stairs. Now she acts 3 years younger. Very happy dog.