The following suggestions are
for a large dog, approximately 85-100 lbs. If your dog is smaller or larger
you will need to adjust the amounts accordingly.
The following supplements may be started immediately and given every day:
Vitamin C Very good for the dog regardless of what is wrong, and
sometimes very useful for joint pains; a natural anti-inflammatory. Start
slowly with 500 mg/day and add another 250 mg every three days until you
are giving 3000 mg/day. If at any time you notice diarrhea or loose stools,
back the dosage down, wait several days, and then try to increase it again.
Vitamin E A natural anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory, used successfully
in large doses to treat German Shepherd Dogs with a neurological condition
called Degenerative Myelopathy. Give 400 IU/day. To read more about
Degenerative Myelopathy click here.
Alfalfa An herb that contains many minerals, aids digestion, and
is a natural anti-inflammatory. Looks like green powder. Use half the human
dose, and open up the capsule to sprinkle over food. Alternatively, you can
purchase it in bulk in one pound lots. Use about a teaspoon a day.
Fish oil Not the same thing as cod liver oil, this is fish body oil,
and contains essential fatty acids that benefit dogs (and people!) enormously.
You can buy this in capsule form. You need to poke a hole in the capsule and
squeeze it out. You can also buy it in liquid form and pour about a teaspoon
over the food. Gradually increase to a tablespoon, over a period of several
days.
After you are doing the above, start one of the supplements below in addition.
Try one thing at a time and give several weeks before deciding if it works.
If you do not see any improvement, then you can try something else on the
list. If you do them all at once, it costs more money and you will never know
which one of these things is the one that is helpful for your particular dog.
Choose from the following list:
Glucosamine/Chondroitin very successful in treating arthritic pains
in humans and dogs. Widely available. Look for a brand that contains magnesium
and vitamins C & D, which enhance the body’s ability to absorb and utilize
the beneficial glucosamine. Some brands also contain herbal factors that further
increase the product’s efficacy. You may see results in a week or two, or
it could take longer.
Dose:
3 pills (500 mg each) per day—2 in the morning and one at night
Glycoflex You can get this from a vet, or mail order it from pet
catalogs. It is made out of something called green lipped mussels (Perna
canaliculus) and smells very fishy, but dogs love the taste. Follow instructions
on the label. Many people have success with this for dogs with hip dysplasia.
Yucca An herb that contains natural steroids to reduce pain and inflammation
in joints. You can buy it as a powder or in drops, called a tincture, from
a health food store. If you buy capsules (powder), open them up and sprinkle
on the food. Follow the label and use half the dose for humans. Do not use
for more than two weeks at a time, then stop for a week, then start up again.
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) Another anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory
used for joint pains. Is is also good for the skin and hair. Comes in capsules,
it is a powder. Open the capsule and sprinkle over food. Use one capsule per
day.
Devil’s Claw An herb often combined with Yucca. Anti-inflammatory,
for joint pains. Powder or liquid, use half the human dose and open up the
capsules.
Nettle another herb for arthritis
Dandelion another herb for arthritis, usually combined with something
else.
If you'd rather use a pre-mixed product, specifically formulated for pets,
you may find the following links helpful:
Enhance Arthritis/Joint Aid for Dogs,Unique, effective custom blend of completely natural, human-grade ingredients.
Developed by Aunt Jeni and her team of Animal Science Researchers, to give
your pet a well rounded defense against the pain and immobility associated
with arthritis, hip dysplasia, and many other debilitating joint conditions.
Veterinarian approved formula is even tasty enough to make administration
a breeze--your dog will think this is a treat!
ARTHRIXfor dogs and cats provides
essential building blocks for the synthesis of cartilage and the fluids surrounding
joints, thereby improving joint mobility. It also contains natural anti-inflammatory
agents which work together to stimulate your pet's own healing system.
Winston's Joint Formula is a combination of three totally-natural
whole food supplements developed by a Naturopathic Doctor for his own dog.
No drugs. No side-effects because it's all just good whole food. No dosage
problems because the body uses only what it needs. And now, with the latest
product release, the formula is showing results that are even more remarkable.
reprinted
with kind permission from
Jennifer Boniface, MS Animal Nutritionist
Owner, Aunt Jeni's Home Made www.auntjeni.com
See our complete line of frozen raw food, natural
supplements and healthy treats!
The above information is simply informational. It's intent is not
to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you in making a diagnosis
of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian for confirmation of
any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.
