Should I Start Supplements Or Something For A 9 Year-Young?

[sobesmom]

I just realized that Diana is going to be 9 next month. For some reason, in my head she's still the goofy pup she always was. My only experience with an older grey was my Sobe, and he passed from Cancer just before he turned 9.

 

Sobe was perfectly happy and healthy at that age (until the Cancer of course), and Diana is totally fine, too. I certainly don't consider 9 as "senior"... but I wonder - is there anything I should start doing or giving Diana to help prevent any of the aches and pains that might develop in the future.

 

BTW - I can't even believe I'm asking this - I've referred to Di as the "lab puppy with stripes" forever. And she still is.

[Guest SueG201]

I start joint supplements at age 7, and my 14 yr old greyhound is still prancing around

[Guest cwholsin]

I recommend a joint supplement at any age for retired racers. You can give them human grade Glucosamine, which was quite a bit cheaper than pet grade for the same stuff.

[DesiRayMom]

I'm a firm believer in joint supplements as well.

[TINMANPDX]

Are joint supplements a preventative, or just to treat existing joint issues? Do you think human grade glucosamine - chondroitin with MSM and vitamin C (all in one capsule) would be ok for greys ? (it's what I take).

[Guest undergreysspell]

I've been using triple strength osteobiflex on my dogs for years.

[DesiRayMom]

For me, it's being proactive......once joint problems start, you're playing "catch-up." Better to support joints

while they're good and hopefully decrease chances of problems later.

 

As a survivior of having both knees replaced, I sure wish I'd had the sense to take care of them

back when I was young & bulletproof (or so I thought).

[Burpdog]

when they turn 8 or 9 I start Fresh Factors, Vit E and up the fish oil.

[Guest Giselle]

This weighs on my mind a lot, as well. From what I've read, a balanced diet doesn't need supplements. A dog doing well on a balanced diet won't benefit greatly from supplements. It seems that the literature doesn't support a definitive "yes" or "no" and that it all boils down mostly to anecdotal "evidence".

 

I run with my aging dog, and I have decided not to put her on supplements that evidence won't support and that may or may not even be absorbed by the canine gut. If it makes you feel better and it won't harm the dog, it can't hurt to try. I personally have decided that it's probably better to focus on improving her muscle tone to prevent joint problems. (this is accomplished by swimming, balance ball exercises, different exercises, etc.)

Edited December 31, 2012 by Giselle

[GeorgeofNE]

For me, it's being proactive......once joint problems start, you're playing "catch-up." Better to support joints

while they're good and hopefully decrease chances of problems later.

 

As a survivior of having both knees replaced, I sure wish I'd had the sense to take care of them

back when I was young & bulletproof (or so I thought).

 

Ah, but ask any orthopedic doctor.

 

You're supplementing the income of the producers of these things more than helping yourself!

[DesiRayMom]

Ah, but ask any orthopedic doctor.

 

You're supplementing the income of the producers of these things more than helping yourself!

 

At my first consult with ortho, I asked him if taking joint supplements would help, and his reply was

"Well, it won't hurt, but I think it's a little late." Granted, that's been 10 years ago, and maybe the

thinking has changed.

[Batmom]

Best evidence, which isn't very good, is for certain forms and dosages (which are often not the forms or dosages included in popular, much-touted dog products) of glucosamine and chondroitin helping to relieve the pain of existing osteoarthritis of the human knee. Evidence for prevention, alternate forms, alternate dosages, other osteoarthritis locations is all poorer than "not very good."

 

We don't use those types of supplements here.

[SarahsBlackPack]

We give both Angel and Fast Gluecomine 2x a day and there both going to be 10 in March of next year. Fast has been getting since we got him in may of 2010. It was recommended that we start him on it now since he did break his leg as a 2 year racing. And then sat on the farm for 5 years.

[sobesmom]

Well - thank you all for your input. I guess the jury is out on this one.

 

Does anyone have any references to studies? Just asking - not trying to start a fight.

[RedHead]

I honestly go with what works and don't put much into "studies" as there are so many, all with differing results. I KNOW joint supplements helped my old dog tremendously, although I don't know if Gluc./Chon. on their own do too much, the supplement I use has a variety of ingredients and vitamins.

 

Teague will be 6, Karma is over 10 and although neither has any signs of joint problems/arthritis, I started Karma on a preventative joint supplement. I add a scoop into Teague's food as well now, I figure it can't do any harm. It has some extra vitamins, cartilage, antioxidants etc. I also strongly believe in high Omega 3 supplementation, and all my dogs get a fairly high dose of fish oil each day.

 

My dogs both get a good amount of running and hiking each day as well, so I feel confident that I am doing all I can, whether it works or not.