My dog has arthritis. Should I add more joint support supplements?

Great question! I really like Dasuquin and Cosequin as joint supplements for dogs. I have found that in senior dogs with arthritis, Dasuquin is a great option because it contains ASU, which stands for Avocado & Soybean Unsaphonifiables. ASU is seen as considerably more effective in regards to repairing stiff, sore, and injured joints. For Oscar, I'd recommend Dasuquin. I hope this helps!

Arthritis is definitely a possibility. You could start him on a joint supplement, like Dasuquin and see if that helps. Your vet could also take an x-ray to evaluate for arthritis and then start him on a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, like Deramaxx, Previcox, Rimadyl, etc. NSAIDs help relieve the discomfort associated with arthritis.

Dasuquin with MSM and Cosequin DS Plus MSM (both by Nutramax Labs) are excellent products. I prefer these because it is the same company that makes the human product, Cosamin, and one of the few companies that submits its products for outside testing to verify ingredients. The GlycoFlex line of products would also be one to consider. These are my own personal recommendations.

Studies generally conclude that the human version of arthritis supplements are not able to be absorbed by dogs. Instead look for a supplement for dogs. The two I recommend our Dasuquan and Duralactin. Starting him on an additional omega-3 fatty acid for dogs will also help with arthritis. Lastly there is a food made by Royal Canin called mobility support. It is excellent for arthritic dogs. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

I hate to hear that Brody is experiencing some issues with his legs. I agree that the hips look like they could be the source of the lameness with decreased acetabular coverage of the femoral heads and also a slight thickening of the femoral necks. I do not anticipate lameness from the bladder stones. Discomfort from the bladder stones tends to occur when Brody urinates and I have seen some pets exhibit no signs. You may discuss with the veterinarian ways to address the stones as they can cause problems with urinary tract infections or even cause obstruction of the urethra. Most pets will have surgery although depending on the type of stone, some may be able to break down with a special diet. Regarding the lameness, Dasuquin is a good product and it will take 4-6 weeks to reach maximum strength. Most vets recommend loading the supplement (so they take a higher amount for 4-6 weeks) then they decrease it. Give it a little more time to take effect. Other things that can help with arthritis including giving an additional omega 3 fatty acid (Nutramax makes a nice product) can help with natural inflammation control. There is another product I like called Duralactin and it is a joint supplement that I often use in conjunction with Dasuquin. If you are interested in a diet change, Royal Canin makes a diet called Mobility Support which has green lipped muscle as an ingredient and pets tend to do very well in it. Lastly, you make consider seeking a veterinarian or facility who can offer physical therapy. Especially with the hind legs, muscle mass and tone is very important in stabilizing the joints. Daily, low impact activity is very important in maintaining this. A physical therapist will examine the lameness and all the muscle groups and will show you exact exercises you can do at home to maintain optimal muscle health. Long term, this is very important. Sometimes the therapist will recommend other things like working on an under water treadmill, swimming or even acupuncture to help. It’s definitely beneficial to get therapies started early while the signs are still mild. Certainly if Brody does not respond well after 6 weeks, I think seeking a second opinion is valid. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

When I have patients with arthritis or starting arthritis I always recommend starting a glucosamine supplement. This can be bought over the counter or online. A great animal one is Cosequin. All the directions are on the bottle. This will help lubricate his joints. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is a great question! I think the ones that are specifically designed for dogs are way more complete. I would recommend you consider Cosequin or Dasuquin as both cover all the joint supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin that are great for joint health. Both of these are over the counter. You are usually able to see a marked improvement within weeks to a few months. Best of luck!