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Arthritis supplements for dogs

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  • 11-05-2021 12:24pm
    #1
    twiglet24
    Registered Users Posts: 57 ✭✭


    Hi, I’m wondering if anyone has any experience of using Nutraquin+, or Hypolene with their dogs?
    Both available only from vets.
    My Golden Retriever has been on Nutraquin+ for a couple of years now, and has done well on it. But the vet is having trouble sourcing it because of Brexit and have started supplying Hypolene instead. Both are expensive -it cost me over €40 today for a tub of Hypolene that will last about two weeks.
    If it is as wonderful as the vet nurse said, then it’s probably worth it - but it would be great if anyone has any experience using it and could reassure me!
    The big selling point seems to be the presence of green lipped mussel in addition to turmeric and the usual glucosamine.
    Thanks.


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    #2
    tk123
    Registered Users Posts: 14,024 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    €40 for 2 weeks supply is a bit much imo - that's an acupuncture or 2 laser sessions for us. When you say she's done well on it - what's your measure - ie do you see a difference if you take her off it? The jury is out on glucosamine - there's studies for and against it so while it's no harm using it I'd be looking at a good quality fish oil. I use Healthy Hounds Omega Wild - https://healthyhoundsnutrition.com/product/omegawild/ - as theres evidence to support the use of marine sourced omegas/epa/dha. CAM did a talk on it the other day that might be worth a watch as they mention the values you should be looking out for in an oil/supplement - https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis/videos/818457482429750


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    #3
    twiglet24
    Registered Users Posts: 57 ✭✭twiglet24


    Thanks TK, I will look into that. We haven’t tried really stopping the supplement-other than when she has had the odd tummy bug - though she has never started limping on those occasions.
    She started pulling up whilst running and limping badly a couple of years ago now. Vet diagnosed arthritis and she had a course of injections and started with the supplement. Since then she has only had to go back for one injection, about a year ago now, so that’s why we feel that she is getting the benefit from it.

    The trouble is, we now have three senior pets - one cat (almost 13) is on prescription food for urinary stress and the other cat (12) is on meloxidyl/meloxicam permanently as he never fully recovered after cruciate ligament surgery and then the dog (10 1/2) is on the supplement so it’s costing a fortune so if there is a more cost-effective way of giving them what they need it would be great. Plus, having to constantly trek to the vet to pick everything up is a pain!


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    #4
    tk123
    Registered Users Posts: 14,024 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    I hear you on the costs lol! Canine arthritis management is a great resource if you’re not already aware - they have a website as well as FB groups. They do cam talks on supplements, medications and have loads of information. You could even search the Hollys Army group (this is like an owner support group) for what your using and see if anyone has been taking about it / suggesting alternatives. I do give a joint supplement but it’s an all rounder senior supplement so liver, kidney, brain, coat etc support.


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    #5
    jimf
    Registered Users Posts: 3,952 ✭✭✭jimf


    if you could add a couple of spoonfuls of apple cider vinegar to drinking water it is brilliant as an anti inflammatory

    i use it all the time in the springers water

    i do remember my dad using on the greyhounds after racing as a rub

    ask your vet first incase your dog may have issues than acv would not be advisable for


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    #6
    xeresod
    Registered Users Posts: 191 ✭✭xeresod


    Ask your vet for Synoquin, it's done wonders for my dogs!

    A box of 120 for medium breed is €90, and after the loading phase (3 per day for 6 weeks, which may not be necessary as you're just changing supplements) it's only 1 per day so it's inexpensive compared to your current option.

    It wasn't something my vet initially had, but after the orthopedic specialist recommended they ordered in it, and now we just call a couple of days before we need a new box.

    It had been recommended for our dog after surgery to help a genetic defect but we since adopted an elderly dog with arthritis and it's given her a new lease of life!


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    #7
    VonVix
    Registered Users Posts: 1,688 ✭✭✭VonVix


    Not used it. But one of my dogs has had early onset of arthritis in both his wrists at the age of 4, came up on an x-ray. He's 9 years old and has had Cartrophen injections (were amazing!) he had them a second time a couple of years later but they didn't do as much for him. However, I have had him on YuMove and it has been amazing for him. I now have all my dogs on it. I could see such a difference in him if he went without it for a few days because I had ran out. I make sure I don't run out of it any more!

    [Dog Training + Behaviour Nerd]



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    #8
    twiglet24
    Registered Users Posts: 57 ✭✭twiglet24


    Thanks for all the suggestions. ��
    Is apple cider vinegar ok for cats? It’s just that the water bowl is a shared one and the cat with urinary stress is the cat that uses it most!

    I bought the Yumove cats for one of my cats, but haven’t used it much. I am actually considering weaning him off the daily meloxidyl and making a concerted effort with the Yumove. I hadn’t wanted to mix the two in the same meal and the only meal he can be guaranteed to finish is his breakfast.��
    I have been thinking of trying the dog version for Millie.

    @xerosod - is synoquin just available from vets? It sounds as if it is similar in price to the Nutraquin+, which I was okay with. The issue is that Brexit has made it difficult for the vet to get it imported apparently.

    Millie (Golden Retriever), luckily only had the arthritis in one elbow and went onto the Nutraquin after the first series of Cartrophen injections. Touch wood, only needed one injection since, so was happy enough with the way the Nutraquin was working.

    I am going to look into all the suggestions, thanks. ��


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    #9
    tk123
    Registered Users Posts: 14,024 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    If you’re spending more than €50 a month for supplements you could maybe look into Librela injections - it’s a monthly injection but new enough so your vet mightn’t have it yet.


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    #10
    twiglet24
    Registered Users Posts: 57 ✭✭twiglet24


    Thanks TK- I have been reading about the Librela injection on that Holly’s Army Facebook page. I’m guessing it’s instead of the cartrophen injections? It’s something to consider, but as Millie’s arthritis doesn’t seem too bad right now, I think that’s something to save for down the line. (Those poor dogs on that page - I feel for them and their owners!)

    I haven’t had a chance to look at the CAM videos yet, but when I do, I will try to compare what’s in all the various supplements. I looked at the supplement I got the other day and it says to consult with your vet for use longer than three months, which makes it sound to me like something not necessarily meant for ongoing, long-term use. So I will arm myself with a bit more information and query it with the vet nurse again.


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    #11
    Probes
    Registered Users Posts: 466 ✭✭Probes


    I took my old dog for acupuncture sessions. I'm not one for alternative medicines personally but the difference in her was night and day, prior to it she couldn't walk up stairs, I'm not exaggerating to say that the sessions got her running up them again and totally mobile.


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    #12
    tk123
    Registered Users Posts: 14,024 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    Probes wrote: »
    I took my old dog for acupuncture sessions. I'm not one for alternative medicines personally but the difference in her was night and day, prior to it she couldn't walk up stairs, I'm not exaggerating to say that acupuncture got her running up them again.

    Big time - I was the same! My girl had back pain from her kidney disease so we tried it and the difference was night and day! Bailey gets it once a month now and loves it


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    #13
    Zak Flaps
    Registered Users Posts: 2,340 ✭✭✭Zak Flaps


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117133234#Comment_117133234

    Can you get the Healthy Hounds Omega Wild in Ireland?



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    #14
    The Continental Op
    Registered Users Posts: 6,326 ✭✭✭The Continental Op


    Both are old dogs are on Rheumocam https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/veterinary/EPAR/rheumocam

    We've been through all the glucosamine, turmeric, omega oils etc etc and while they may have worked for a bit the Rheumocam has put them both back on their feet.

    Wake me up when it's all over.



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    #15
    tk123
    Registered Users Posts: 14,024 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118920868#Comment_118920868

    Yep - they’re based up the north and delivery is free - usually comes in a couple of days. I actually ordered a bottle yesterday.



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    #16
    Zak Flaps
    Registered Users Posts: 2,340 ✭✭✭Zak Flaps


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118921074#Comment_118921074

    Thank you.



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