Glucosamine & Codroitin & Labrador

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Tunnelratt

Tunnelratt

Joined
Apr 23, 2006
Threads
34
Messages
336
Location
So Cal
So what do you all know about using this stuff. I have two Lab's, the oldest is 6 y/o not over weight although he weighs in at 120 lbs, very tall, lean, the vets have classed him as " Giant" , he could probably loose about 3 lbs, lately he has been having some issues about going upstairs, I suspect his hips are bugging him.
What kind of treatment can I give him to ease the discomfort he appears to be having, does this glucosamine do anything, maybe a baby asprin, just looking for something to take the edge off, he is not suffering, still runs at a full gallop with his brother, doesnt wince or cry like its real painful but I watch him thinking more about heading up the stairs.

Steve
 
Anybody? Any of you dog people use this stuff?
 
I've a large female golden who is 84lbs. Vets have always said she is too big for her own good. She's now 10 and for the last year has had the same problem with stairs or after a good long walk or swimming in cold water. I give here an asprin and it seem to get her going again well. These two breeds have hip problems even when they are average weight and size. You can thank overbreeding for this. Also, the bigger they are then the more joint problems they will have. I will continue to manage Ruby's poblems with asprin until a decision has to be made. I have also used cat nip as it is supposed to have anti-inflamitory qualities. For obvious reasosn I don't grow it myself anymore. Ruby doesn't seem to mind a table spoon of the dried stuff in her mouth. I am sure there is more expensive treatments I could try. However, I was not brought up to treat an animal better than most people in this world are treated.
 
6 years old is still fairly young, but dysplasia can set in at any time. that is a huge dog for a lab. breed standard for a female is about half that size. glucosamine and rimadyl are what the vets tend to give. aspirin can be used. ibuprofen can't. dogs are allergic to it. not saying you were irresponsible, but a comment was made that overbreeding has caused these issues. well, just make sure your breeder provides a health guarantee with both of the parents being OFA certified for hips and elbows. responsible breeders all do that. sorry your dog is in pain. hope this helps some.
 
Yeah, Jack is a big boy, he was easily twice as tall as his siblings, breeder was way above board when we got him, all the proper docs etc, I have had nothing but Lab's since I was born, Mom and Dad had them, I have never been without one, 52 y/o now, lost a couple to hip displaysia through the years ,Jack's ailments seem to be coming on real slow, I know the asprin will ease some of the discomfort but have never used the Glucosamine/Condroitin, wondering if it really does something?

Damn I hate when they start slowing down:frown:
 
I know this most likely will not go over very well, But we have been giving my 12yo Treeing Walker (90lbs and overweight)one aspirin twice a day and it has helped a LOT with being able to walk up stairs and being more mobile, She had her share of issues that still continue( Lumps, cysts, The like) I quite a bit of research on the subject and found that for the $$$ aspirin is the cheapest( I know :flipoff2:)

Aspirin For Dogs

I know its not the best way to go about things, But she still has quite an appetite, We desided on 1/2 the dosage and go from there.
Good luck, Its never easy to see our animals suffer.
 
I have used a glucosamine/chondroitin blend for my dogs. My Old English Sheepdog was on it for the last few years of her life, she lived to 15 1/2. I just recently started my 10 yr old female Ridgeback on it. It takes about 3-4 weeks before you see results and if you take them off it for more than a week or two you have start over. I get the Move Free brand for people at Costco. They also have a Kirkland brand, and I know several other Ridgeback owners that use that successfully as well.

Baby aspirin or enteric coated aspirin works well for those days when they need a little extra relief. I don't believe it is a good idea to give it to them daily. Never give a dog Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Motrin, or Naproxen (Aleve).

A vet can prescribe Rimadly, though I have never chosen to use it. In my opinion it is hard on a dog's liver. My new vet ( a cruiserhead) mentioned a new product that he felt was safer for the liver but I don't recall the name.
 
Well I would add never give a human Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Motrin, or Naproxen either, b ut don't take my word for gospel, I'm no expert... It's just that ASA is one of those rare drugs with almost no negatives about and that can be considered true Medicine. Great for pain, articulations, blood circulation and even to prevent heart disease.

Our Lab had the same condition as yours. He was big as well and he had to take Rimadyl. He had to be assisted in the end, getting into the truck. He cost a LOT of money in the last few years, more than the truck cost know! He finally died of an enlarged heart. This guy was always at the vet. It was ruinous. My wife would not let him go (and I had no heart to let him go until he had his heart attack that left him paralyzed). He was kind and tranquil, and he loved his comfort (a true "couch potato" :D.

Gaspard and Me.webp

I understand you have an emotional attachment to Labs, but these dogs are high maintenance. Everyone I know who has one has either hip or ear problems.

My best dog was a mutt cross between a husky, a golden retriever and a chow-chow. He was good looking, strong, extremely thrifty, smart, and generally perfect in all respects. He was never sick, he just declined rapidly the last few weeks before he died, even then he never complained of anything and simply passed away naturally, he lived many years beyond his life expenctancy based on his weight (16.5 years, 120 pounds).

Tabou, le 5 septembre 1996.webp

Although my wife would be very upset to read this, sorry about your choice, but even as good and kind as they are, I would not want another Lab.
Gaspard and Me.webp
Tabou, le 5 septembre 1996.webp
 
I used to give my dogs the glucosamine/chondroiten supplement. I work for a manufacturer of the stuff and can get it cheap- and I quit buying it (because of the expense). My 8 yr old 110 lb malamute recently had to have extensive X-rays and the doc said he had the joints of a 2 yr old. So... the stuff works. but I find it's cheaper to just buy them fresh dog bones from the butcher (with fat and some meat scraps still on them) and let them eat those.
 
I've got 2 labs, and my oldest has some mild hip problem. I have him on both 3V-Vitamin E and Cosequin Glucosamine DS tablets. I did some research with my vet and found that Cosequin's blend and purity is one of the best in the industry. Also clinically found to demonstrate improvements in joint mobility; other brand's were lacking the purity and blend necessary. I've had my lab on it for almost 7 years now, and it's one of the few things that has made a difference in his life (besides the obvious keeping his weight in check and exercise). I hope that helps. Drop me a pm if you have more questions.
 
My inlaws give Glucosomine to their Boxer that has hip problems. They seem to think it is helping him and they've seen no ill effects.

That being said, I take the stuff regularly and can honestly say that any effects it has on my knees is negligible at best.
 
even thought the vet says he is not overwieght......getting some weight off is the ONLY thing that will really help him in the long run, just 5lbs can make a big difference

Beau(90lb male lab) was on Glucosamine and DMSO and an asprin for 5+ years, last 2+ he was on Rymidal(but its not for young dogs)

even in Beau's last days, he never whimpered or whined because of the pain, but it was there...some dogs just dont complain.

a good massage will also make him feel better, I gave Beau a rub down for years every morning and night
 
i'm trying to keep my stocky lab lean as i can. He fluctuates between 85 and 90 lbs.

Kind of off topic (talking about breeding) i thought it was pretty neat looking at my yellow's lineage that he is the product of two black labs, who were the product of a chocolate and a yellow, ect. I thought only yellow labs produced yellow labs and black labs produced black. Not the case. it's a coin toss at what you'll get.
 
Guys, Thanks, I went out and picked up some bayer 81 milligram asprin and some glucosamine/condroitin tabs and liquigel capsules, will see which ones I can fake him out with, for as big as Jack is he has always been a slow meticulous eater, if there is something funky he just leaves it.
Like I said before, he isnt in real bad straits but I can tell something is bugging him, so maybe getting started on some prevention will extend his comfort.:)
 
You might also consider SAM-e S-Adenosyl methionine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia in addition to the G&C.

My vet suggested it for my dog for liver related reasons, but the bottle also says it promotes "joint health"... I don't think it would hurt, my dog gets the G&C as well, and it seems to help, at least as much as it can a 14yr old...

It is on the $$$ side, and at times I have trouble finding the SAM-e at walmart and such, need to hunt it down at GNC or similar health store..
 
Tunnelratt said:
Guys, Thanks, I went out and picked up some bayer 81 milligram asprin and some glucosamine/condroitin tabs and liquigel capsules, will see which ones I can fake him out with, for as big as Jack is he has always been a slow meticulous eater, if there is something funky he just leaves it.
Click to expand...

If he is like my Ruby, there is no such thing a tricking her. Even if it was wrapped in a nice big medium rare staek she'd find it and spit it out. The hand into the back of the mouth and then clamp her mouth shut is the only thing that works with pills. Gd luck.
 
My dog was a pill finder too, no matter what I put it in she would eat the surrounding and spit out the pill.. Steak, peanutbutter, bread, w/e... To the point I was asking the vet for Rx meds in syringe form instead of pills..

Vet recommended these, and it totally fools her I guess, pills are no prob anymore... Pill Pockets

They are avail at petsmart/petco too, but I buy them in bulk from healthypets, little better $

I think i have the "small" size and that was enough for avg sized pills.
 
processed cheese(kraft american) or angel food cake worked on Beau and he was a pill spitter, but those 2 worked 95% of the time
 
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