The Best Supplements for Dogs with Knee & Hip Problems

Kenneth — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 06:57:20 +0000

Treating dogs that have knee and hip problems can be very costly. Prescription medications aren’t always available for our pets due to cost, trouble getting a prescription written by a vet, and many times we don’t even know that particular prescription medications are available unless our veterinarian specifically recommends them. As humans, we use supplements all the time to treat different symptoms we may have, whether it be melatonin which helps us regulate our sleep cycles, or something like creatine which helps our body build muscle by supplying more energy to our muscles.

Here is a list of supplements that I’ve used and/or had recommended to me by friends, family and readers of this site. If you have any suggestions that aren’t included on this list, please add it into the comments below.

Nupro Joint Support for Dogs
This product is great because it contains both Glucosamine and MSM, both help with joint stiffness, and MSM has been shown to help with inflammation and some studies have showed it to reduce pain.
Cosequin DS Anti-Inflammatory
Cosequin can be beneficial for dogs that have either knee or hip problems, or even both. Cosequin is known as an anti-inflammatory and many surgeons recommend that a dogs take this daily after knee surgery. Cosequin has manyy benefits and is recommended for any dogs with inflammation or joint pain. A 4-6 week period should typically be enough time for the owner to tell if there is an improvement in mobility.
Joint Treats® (60 Soft Chews)
Healthy and beneficial for dogs of all ages. Can be used as treats or as daily supplements. I’ve heard of people using these supplements for dogs with hip dysplasia. These add the benefit of being considered a “treat”.
Salmon Oil
Salmon oil can help with joint mobility in canine knees and hips, and has been shown to have healthy effects on dogs coats as well.
Flax Seed Oil
Flax seed oil has been personally recommended to me by 2 different veterinarians to help us with our dogs skin during summertime. One of the main benefits of adding flax seed oil and other types of oils as a supplement is that it will help with the dogs skin and coat.
Traumeel Gel – 50gm Tube
Traumeel is an external analgesic that is an anti-inflammatory. It’s a cream or rub that addresses inflammation and is commonly used in dogs, cats and horses. I haven’t personally used this product, but it has come highly recommended by many of our readers.
ARTHROPLEX for Canines (180 Capsules)
Arthroplex serves multiple purposes, all of which will benefit dogs with knee problems, hip problems or arthritis. Arthroplex capsules contain Glucosamine Sulfate (225 mg), Green-Lipid Mussels (90 mg), DL-Phenylalanine (75mg), Boswellia Serrata Extract (35 mg), Bromelain (35 mg), Vitamin C (100 mg).

If you have any other product suggestions, supplements or otherwise, let me know and we’ll post them on here as well.

Photo by aluzano.

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The Use of Supplements for Conservative Management Rather Than Medications

Kenneth — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:15:07 +0000

Dog knee injuries are a tough issue to deal with, as we all want the best for our dog, but when it comes to dog knee surgery, not everyone can afford it. We all want the best for our pets, however the truth of the matter is that dog knee surgery is very expensive, and unless you have the money or a way to finance it, the surgical route will not always be an option.

One of the questions that I get asked most frequently (through email, and comments) is, “Are there any non-surgical options to repair a torn ACL/CCL?”

The direct answer is NO, because unlike muscle pulls and sprains, a torn ligament can’t be repaired without surgery. As the title of this post suggests, we will be looking into “management” options for dealing with a torn cranial cruciate ligament when surgery isn’t opted for, or just isn’t an option due to cost or other hardships.

The key part in managing a non-surgically repaired CCL is being “conservative”, meaning the dog should cut back drastically on activity, and limited and restricted when alone, because when dogs aren’t being watched, many of them will find a reason to run around, or jump and bark at things. If you think that you’ll be able to restrict your dogs activity level, then conservative management may be an option for you, and the use of supplements can definitely help.

Choosing a Supplement
When you’re trying to pick a supplement for your dog, you’re obviously going to want the best. If you’re like me, you’ll research everything before trying one, so hopefully this short list will help you out. These are supplements that we recommend based on our use of it and/or the use of other products by the same manufacturer.

One of the biggest problems with a torn knee ligament is inflammation, swelling and stiffness. These products aim to help with that.

Nupro Joint Support for Dogs (Silver)
This product is great because it contains both Glucosamine and MSM, both help with joint stiffness, and MSM has been shown to help with inflammation and some studies have showed it to reduce pain.
Cosequin DS Anti-Inflammatory
Cosequin is known as an anti-inflammatory and many surgeons recommend that a dogs take this daily after knee surgery. Cosequin has manyy benefits and is recommended for any dogs with inflammation or joint pain. A 4-6 week period should typically be enough time for the owner to tell if there is an improvement in mobility.
Joint Treats® (60 Soft Chews)
Healthy and beneficial for dogs of all ages. Can be used as treats or as daily supplements. I’ve heard of people using these supplements for dogs with hip dysplasia.

The above supplements are two of the better ones that we have found. There are also some other options in terms of oils, such as Salmon Oil, Flax Seed Oil and even Olive Oil. One of the main benefits of adding these types of oils as a supplement is that it will help with the dogs skin and coat.

If you’re looking to try conservative management as a treatment option, the above supplements should definitely help with mobility, range of motion and possibly inflammation. If you’ve used these products, or others, please let us know how they worked for you!

Update

I was just made aware of another product by one of our members. It isn’t necessarily a supplement, but rather an anti-inflammatory analgesic. Try out Traumeel Gel – 50gm Tube. It’s a cream or rub that addresses inflammation and is commonly used in dogs, cats and horses.

Update 2