Does anyone know if there are any independant studies on giving a young dachshund glucosamine all his or her life to hopefully avoid back problems? Do you know if this has been proven to be beneficial, or if it could be harmful? I'd like to give it to my dog if it will help but I'm afraid there may be a down side long term I don't know about. Or that they will come out one day and say oops, it's really bad for them after all... Anyone know about this? Thanks!!Glucosamine for young dogs?
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Jo
Glucosamine for young dogs?
Does anyone know if there are any independant studies on giving a young dachshund glucosamine all his or her life to hopefully avoid back problems? Do you know if this has been proven to be beneficial, or if it could be harmful? I'd like to give it to my dog if it will help but I'm afraid there may be a down side long term I don't know about. Or that they will come out one day and say oops, it's really bad for them after all... Anyone know about this? Thanks!!
Re: Glucosamine for young dogs?
I don't know of any studies, but I also don't know of any problems. I'm giving it to Allie (low dose of GlycoFlex) because she has a luxating patella (she will be 5 in August). I'm hoping it may help delay any arthritic type problems. My vet didn't think it would be of any use, but to me, it came in the category of "it can't hurt", so I'm giving it anyway.
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
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JMM
Re: Glucosamine for young dogs?
My vet wanted Mikey, before he turned 3, on Cosequin as he has a luxating patella. He felt it WOULD be helpful in preventing arthritis and that we would immediately do sx if it began luxating on its own.
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Mary Plummer
- Posts: 908
- Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2003 8:29 am
- Location: Michigan
I give some gluco/chondroitin treats to Mr. Blue...
...even though he doesn't have any joint problems or arthritis now. He's almost 6, and I thought it can't hurt, and maybe will help prevent, problems as he gets older. He had such a rough puppyhood that I really want to do all I can to try and counteract that as he ages. I'm not sure how possible that is, but I need to try. Please let me know if you do find any resources on this!
Re: Glucosamine for young dogs?
Leilah, a vizsla/beagle mix, has been on glucosamine since she was diagnosed with mild luxating patellas (kind of a trick knee) right when she turned 2. But 2 is a grown dog, not physically a pup anyway. Try searches for "dachshund health" and maybe you'll find something. I'd guess that it would probably fall into the category of "won't hurt, might help".
Now at 6, Leilah's totally symtom free unless she overdoes something, and she can do careful obedience jumping with no ill effects at all. I did take her out of agility and sheep herding on a regular basis since those seemed to aggravate it. Her blood work has been excellent, the glucosamine does not seem to be causing any problems that we can find after 4 years of it.
Now at 6, Leilah's totally symtom free unless she overdoes something, and she can do careful obedience jumping with no ill effects at all. I did take her out of agility and sheep herding on a regular basis since those seemed to aggravate it. Her blood work has been excellent, the glucosamine does not seem to be causing any problems that we can find after 4 years of it.
"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend:and inside a dog, it's too dark to read."
-- Groucho Marx
-- Groucho Marx
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Jo
Re: Glucosamine for young dogs?
Thanks for all the replies!! Sounds like it can't really hurt. Glad no one has heard of any really bad stuff. Good luck to all of you and your kids too!