What joint supplements prevent hip dysplasia in my German Shepherd?

Hello and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If Halo and your other dog are on a good quality, balanced diet there is no benefit to giving calcium. I'm assuming you mean that they are already on a glucosamine supplement. Glucosamine supplements vary in quality so make sure they are on a quality veterinary product like Dasuquin. Adding in an omega-3 supplement may also be helpful. Nordic Naturals pet products offers a good omega-3 supplement for pets. Finally, it would be a good idea to ask your veterinarian about Adequan injections. These injections can be very helpful managing hip dysplasia and are very safe!

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.

If he is eating a good quality large breed puppy food, he should not need vitamin supplementation. If you want to give him one, you can't go wrong with Pet Tabs ( https://www.zoetisus.com/products/dogs/pet-tabs.aspx ). A joint supplement, such as Cosequin ( https://www.cosequin.com/ ) or Dasuquin ( https://www.dasuquin.com/en/products/ ), can also be started. Additionally, keep Brandy lean and active.

Joint supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM promote joint health by protecting cartilage, reducing or slowing cartilage breakdown and improve joint lubrication. While these supplements do not cure or reverse hip dysplasia, they may slow the progression and provide a measure of pain relief. Please discuss surgical options for Coco with your veterinarian. There are surgical options available.

That greatly depends on the concentration of the product you're using. Most bottles should have a recommended dosage on the side of them for your pet's weight. You can start there, and adjust as needed depending on how Ember reacts. Generally, you'll start with a loading dose that is higher than the daily dose for 1-2 weeks, and then reduce down to the recommended dose after that. (This is generally around 1500mg glucosamine for the loading dose, and then dropping down to 1000/500mg depending on how they are doing). What you are offering are already the big three, though some joint supplements also contain MSM and Green-lipped mussel which may also help with joint pain and inflammation when used together with glucosamine/chondroitin.

You should feed him puppy replacer milk until the age of 6-8 months, you can start some wet puppy food as well in about a week from now. he needs to eat 4-6 times a day at the moment. you don't need to give him any supplements as non of those have been proven to prevent hip dysplasia.

I would consider at his age a referral to a veterinary surgeon to discuss any surgical options particularly for his hips. This might delay the onset of arthritis in the future. Depending on what's causing his elbow dysplasia surgery may be an option there as well. You could also get the advice of a surgeon as to which is more likely to cause issues the elbows are the hips. I would also recommend starting him on a joint supplement now and potentially omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. All supplements and physical therapy are great surgery might be your best bet at long-term comfort.