Glucosamine will it help?......Dog problem

[freckles22uk]

Hi,
my Sheltie broke one of her front legs when she was a few months old, (shes 5 now) she broke both the raduis and the Ulna, it was operated on and had a metal pin put down one of the bones until it repaired, which has since been removed, the leg had never been properly straight since, but she runs around like a loon, she has been fine all summer, but ive noticed since the colder weather has come in she is getting lame on it, not badly, but she is holding it up more than normal and is noticably lame when walking...

do you think glucosamine willl help?...even though its not a joint problem.....

 

[teddyt]

It may be a joint problem, as the uneven loading on her joints from a bent leg will cause increased strain. Its worth a try, nothing to lose except a few quid!

 

[millitiger]

our dobermann has had 2 cruciate ligament operations (so not joint problems exactly).

she was stiff in the winter and also sometimes looked 'footy' almost.

we have been feeding her Riaflex and it is like a different dog- she is no longer stiff and she runs around like a loon with the other dog out on walks now, instead of sedately trotting along with the humans!

 

[jenh166]

I know most studies have said that its only worth buying a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement, and in the right doses and bioavailability for the dog (i.e. don't give it horse stuff as their digestive systems work differently). The other thing is that its only really been shown to be effective as prophylaxis i.e. having animal on supplement well before clinical signs develop.
So not really sure personally if it'll help. Prob best saving the money and taking her to the vet and get some Metacam or similar for her. Hope this helps!

 

[dingle12]

glucosamine and chondroitin supplement is better together however i had my old dog on the tabs and they did nothing for him see if your vet will give you a prescription for metacam or flexicam my old boy is doing really well on it. Get it from medic animal on the internet too print off prescription from website and get your vet to fill it in. 100ml bottle from our vet is £58 for 180ml from medic animal is only £28

 

[freckles22uk]

Thank you, Ive got some Metacam, any one know the dose for a Sheltie..I will pop to the vets as well, though Im in Spain, we do tend to get all the same drugs here, though here, the vets gives you a pescription and you just get it from the chemist, normally the human version, so not to expensive..