Large Senior Dog Arthritis Supplements

10 years ago

For those of you with very large senior dogs, what do you use for arthritis treatment? Our lab weighs over 100 pounds and is going on 13, with stiff joints and arthritis.

Back story: We had to kennel him for 2 weeks a few months ago and asked the employees to make sure he sleeps on his orthopedic bed, which we brought.

When we picked him up, his bed was on top of the kennel and had obviously not been used, and there was a much too small raised bed in the kennel. There is no way he was able to use that. Of course, they claimed they had just moved the bed to clean the kennel, but it appears he was deprived of his bed and probably had to lie on bare concrete his entire stay since he couldn't fit on the bed they provided.

His joints were definitely not helped by this and we've tried various supplements with both Glucosamine Sulfate and the HCL form, Dasuquin, Cosequin, Actiflex K9 (with loading doses for all of them), Green Lipped Mussel powder, individual human grade supplements and they are just making a marginal difference. Next step might be Rimadyl and/or Adequan shots, but I am wondering if there are any other supplements I missed that some of you have tried with good results. Thanks for any suggestions.

Featured Answer

ladybugfruit

10 years ago

While I don't have a large dog, I have a heeler mix with hip dysplasia on the left hip and an mangled ankle on the right. The adequan injections have made a significant difference! In addition he is on a grain free ( raw fed) diet, and also takes fish oil 2x a day, as well as Nature's vet Joint support 3 and Superoxide Dismustase and Bosweilla ( also Nature vet). It's alot, but he does really well. He even enjoys running around the yard! Hope this is helpful!

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Comments (8)

blubird
10 years ago
My vet has recommended adding Duralactin to our lab's diet. Spencer's been on a glucosamine supplement since he,s been a pup.
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Linda Doherty
10 years ago
Do the Adequan shots at the loading dose (1 shot every 3.5 days for a month (total of 8 shots). Your vet can show you how to do them. They are easy to give. Adequan is one of the only proven nutriceuticals. It works really well for most pets. And unlike NSAIDs, like rimadly, derramax, previcox, it actually helps the body produce more joint lubrication which reduces pain by removing the issue, as opposed to masking it.

If the Adequan doesn't give enough relief, then I would consider either daily previcox, or Rimadyl as needed. Previcox has fewer GI issues than rimadyl, but not all NSAIDs work as well on certain dogs.
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User
10 years ago
Do the Adequan for the reasons that Linda stated above. You're not going to get the same results with oral supplements, especially not with a dog that size.

Our vet is close by, so we would take our dogs for each injection, but I'd be comfortable doing it myself.

Also, never any side effects.

Both of our larger dogs benefitted, we feel.

I was also pleasantly surprised by how our beardie responded to cold laser.

Good luck!
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User
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you, Blubird, had not heard of Duralactin. I will read up on it.

Thank you Linda and Mimi, sounds like Adequan would be well worth it, sure hope it works. A friend of mine tried it for her small dog with spinal arthritis, and it didn't do much for her.
User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Adequan best helps front and hind leg articular cartilage, and really wouldn't help spinal arthritis. So, good for extremity joints like hips, knees, elbows, shoulders.
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User
Original Author
10 years ago
Oh good, it should work for us then. His hips and leg joints are what's affected.
nannygoat18
10 years ago
You may also want to investigate dietary changes as certain foods may increase inflammation and aggravate arthritis. Many dogs get relief with grain free food without foods from the nightshade family, such as potatoes. There's also fish oil capsules (not cod liver) which contain omega 3 to reduce inflammation as well as herbs and vitamins (turmeric, vitamin E etc) Keep his weight in check and provide opportunities for moderate low impact exercise, especially swimming as it's non weight bearing. Some dogs respond to acupuncture and chiropractic treatment. Of course, any nonconventional choices should be discussed with your vet before proceeding. It's important to know the dosages and timing of these supplements especially with medication in the mix.
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