tira_mia Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Hi all, Searching through old threads I can see that lots of older dogs are on joint guard as a preventative measure, but does anyone know anything about putting younger dogs on it? I have a 3.5yr old border (rescue - so no papers or history to find out about HD in the family) who i've noticed has started to look a bit sore after taking him for his morning run. The vet's checked him out and said there's nothing to worry about. So I'm looking for advice as to what people think the best plan of approach is. He loves running (he's a BC after all ) and once we let him off leash won't slow down, rain hail or shine. Joint guard sounds great, but is 3 and a half years too young for preventative measures like that? Also, he's in the process of losing weight (about 1.5 kg left to lose) which will help the soreness - but would joint guard add the kilos back on, or is it negligible? Thanks in advance for any advice!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 (edited) If I had a dog who was pulling up sore after exercise I would want to know why, a vet stating 'there's nothing to worry about' wouldn't satisfy me. Yes you can give Joint Guard to a younger dog. Edited October 22, 2008 by Miranda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
:ange: Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 (edited) Would joint guard be good to give to a dog who's been diagnosed with Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy? (inflammation of the joint in growing large breeds) ETA: my girl is 9 months old Edited October 22, 2008 by ange165 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Would joint guard be good to give to a dog who's been diagnosed with Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy? (inflammation of the joint in growing large breeds)ETA: my girl is 9 months old I doubt that it would have any effect on the symptoms of HOD, but I suggest that you ask your vet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTD Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Maggie has been on joint guard since 7 months of age. She will be 3 in a couple of days. Not because of HOD though but HD. Have had no problem and I would swear that if I hadn't started her at such a young age she would not be doing as well as she is now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alison Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Would joint guard be good to give to a dog who's been diagnosed with Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy? (inflammation of the joint in growing large breeds)ETA: my girl is 9 months old Perhaps look at NZ Green Lip Muscles and see if they may assist your dog. I use them and they reduce inflamation. This is what I use as a preventative on young dogs rather than the joint supplements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tira_mia Posted October 22, 2008 Author Share Posted October 22, 2008 If I had a dog who was pulling up sore after exercise I would want to know why, a vet stating 'there's nothing to worry about' wouldn't satisfy me. Yes you can give Joint Guard to a younger dog. Thanks Miranda, I'll definitely get a second opinion. The initial vet's explanation was that BC was probably just over-exerting himself (as I first noticed it after I hadnt run him for a while), but though it's happening less it hasn't gone away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tira_mia Posted October 22, 2008 Author Share Posted October 22, 2008 Maggie has been on joint guard since 7 months of age. She will be 3 in a couple of days. Not because of HOD though but HD. Have had no problem and I would swear that if I hadn't started her at such a young age she would not be doing as well as she is now. Thanks magthdag! That's definitely reassuring..i'll pop in and get some today! Did you adjust the dosage from what's listed, or keep with the maintenance dosage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 If I had a dog who was pulling up sore after exercise I would want to know why, a vet stating 'there's nothing to worry about' wouldn't satisfy me. Yes you can give Joint Guard to a younger dog. Thanks Miranda, I'll definitely get a second opinion. The initial vet's explanation was that BC was probably just over-exerting himself (as I first noticed it after I hadnt run him for a while), but though it's happening less it hasn't gone away. The vet is probably correct, but there may also be an underlying problem so it's best to have it investigated. Any dog that is overweight and unfit should start with short periods of low impact exercise which can gradually be increased over a period of time. Taking an overweight dog that hasn't been exercised for a while and allowing it to run flat out is certainly likely to result in muscle soreness and the dog could also have damaged a ligament or tendon. Continuing to run him when he's still showing signing of discomfort following exercise isn't a good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 all my dogs from pups go on gluco but any lameness/soreness is investigated asap whether that be through bowen or the vet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rottifan Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 As per previous post - definitely try and find out what is causing the lameness, pinched nerve might be the case, who knows but dig a little deeper. While supplements might appear to help now they will only mask the pain and therefore possibly lead to an increase in movement but down the track the problem will still be there, only worse and be harder to deal with. I learnt the hard way but now swear by seeing my animal chiropractor in Brisbane regularily from 8 wks of age! Good luck!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Archie~ Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Yep, its OK to use Joint Guard on young dogs, I've got friends who have their 7month old mastiff on it as a preventative. They buy the 750g tub size because it lasts longer and is more cost effective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTD Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Maggie has been on joint guard since 7 months of age. She will be 3 in a couple of days. Not because of HOD though but HD. Have had no problem and I would swear that if I hadn't started her at such a young age she would not be doing as well as she is now. Thanks magthdag! That's definitely reassuring..i'll pop in and get some today! Did you adjust the dosage from what's listed, or keep with the maintenance dosage? I started her on the initial dose. At that time she was also on anti inflammatories, by the 4 weeks I had weaned her off the anti inflammatories ( under specialists instruction ) and decreased the dose of joint guard to the maintenance dose, which she has stayed on since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Paws Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Would joint guard be good to give to a dog who's been diagnosed with Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy? (inflammation of the joint in growing large breeds)ETA: my girl is 9 months old Perhaps look at NZ Green Lip Muscles and see if they may assist your dog. I use them and they reduce inflamation. This is what I use as a preventative on young dogs rather than the joint supplements. Alison,do you give the actual dried green lipped muscles or is it a powder or capsule form? I was sent dried green lipped muscles as a sample to try and my dogs quite enjoyed them.What dosage do you give? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alison Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 I give the capsules, but i actually open the capsules and mix it with their food. One capsule each daily. I read somewhere that you should always open capsules for dogs as by the time they have broken the capsule down, they miss out on absorbing most of the vitamins/minerals. Sometimes dogs just poop capsules out whole. So powder or capsules is good. The thing i like about GLM is that it is doing them good, not just hiding symptoms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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