Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Eggasperated]

My chocolate lab developed stiffness in his legs about 9 months ago which the vet said was the start of arthritis even tho' he's only six. Since then he's had a green lipped mussel supplement plus a magnetic collar and up until Christmas he was doing really well. However since then the limping has come back worse than ever.

Having read on here somewhere about Joint aid I thought I would get in touch with them, anyway they have been spectacularly unhelpful. I emailed them explaining the problem asking if they could explain the benefits of their product over the green lipped mussel product but had no reply, after a week I rang them and explained and they said 'yes we've got a big pile of emails here' ; so I asked what they could tell me about their product and the lady in the department that deals with Joint aid said she didn't know and would ask a technician and ring me back. Well that was two days ago and no-one has been in touch.

With such poor customer service I don't feel like dealing with them however I would like to do my best for my lab so can anyone give me an idea how Joint aid will work and tell me if they think it's worth trying?

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I don't know if this is much help, but when Riley developed arthritis and was getting over a "collapsed joint", I started him on Flexadin (bought online, non-prescription). He is on anti-inflammatories permanently as well, but we've all been amazed at his recovery. He is 99% back to normal mobility although we have had to curtail his walks as he does limp a bit if we've overdone it.

 

Might be worth comparing Joint Aid and Flexadin and see if the latter suits your lab's needs?

[loumabel]

My Black Lab Ben has Hip Displaysia and arthritis and I can recommend 'Canine Cortaflex' as a good supplement. He also has weekly hydrotherapy sessions which have also helped enormously. Im afraid I don't know about Joint aid but their customer service sounds horrendous! Hope your boy improves soon

[Eggasperated]

Thanks, I've not heard of Flexadin or Canine Cortaflex - I'll look into them.

[Bramble]

I'm sorry you've had such a negative response from the Joint Aid people - I have certainly recommended it to Omleteers and wouldn't hesitate to do so again. Your experience is the opposite of mine - I heard about Joint Aid at an open day at our local Countrywide store and the chappie there gave me about half a bag as a free sample, so I actually knew it was working before I had to buy any. It worked wonders for my dear (and now) departed lab cross and based on that experience I recommended it to a friend for her border terrier who, once established on Joint Aid, was able to stop taking her vet prescribed anti-inflammatories.

What I can't do is compare Joint Aid with any of the other products on the market - Joint Aid was the first and only thing I tried, but it definitely worked (I'm sure they offer a money back guarantee if it doesn't)

Good luck!

[Chucky Mama]

I am afraid that I think that you need to let the vet have another look at him to check his progress. Supplements like Joint Aid, Flexadin, Cortaflex and other similar Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplements do definitely help but there are times when they do need a course of prescription anti inflammatories such as Metacam or Rimadyl. These reduce inflammation and therefore pain. A course of prescribed meds alongside a supplement should make your dog more comfortable. This is something that you may have to do intermittently to ensure that your dog is kept pain free. You can use the supplements on a permanent basis. Of course you do need to ensure that your dog is not doing any ball or stick chasing, is kept as slim as possible and does not do stairs unless absolutely necessary

[lillybettybabs]

You'd be surprised how many dogs are diagnosed with arthritis without even being x-rayed.

If he hasn't, see if your vet can do it for you.

[Eggasperated]

I agree a trip to the vet is a good idea.

Luckily Raisin never has to do stairs, only a couple of steps from the conservatory; we've slimmed him down over the last nine months and he's certainly better for that, unfortunately the chasing about is more difficult to control as he's fond of doing a total 'spinny' round the garden, we also get deer in the garden which he chases off at the slightest opportunity but I am aware that he needs to calm down a bit.

 

Thanks to everyone with their advice, hopefully Raisin will get some relief soon.

[SilverC]

ANother vote for Cortaflex. I have used it on my dog when she had a spinal stroke, and also for my horses. Tried others, and they are just well, stiff and wooden on them, but the Cortaflex is much better, like young beasties again. Not sure if they do this version for dogs, but I get a quadruple strength version for my horses called Cortavet which works out much cheaper than the standard Cortaflex version.

[Redwing]

I used to use this when my horse got arthritis, I believe it can be used on dogs, it worked wonders.

 

I'm not sure how it compares to some of the new products available though as we are talking years ago here!

 

http://www.chemistonline.co.uk/super-solvitax-r-a-formula-1-litre-c-791-p-93814?utm_source=google&utm_medium=basefeed&utm_campaign=redback

[Chook n Boo Mum]

My 2 older labs (Poppy 6 & Jess 8yo) have both had leg ops, Pops 5 years ago had luxating patella on both sides Jess had a cruciate 'done' about 4 years ago, and both benefitted greatly from weekly hydrotherapy sessions pre and post-operatively....and we have carried them on once a fortnight as they enjoy it so much .... Their surgeons both mentioned how much quicker they recovered from the ops as a result.

 

Both girls are now taking Yu-move greenlipped mussel tablets....vile smelling, but seem to reduce Jess' stiffness after walks, we started Pops on them a few weeks ago, as she was starting to show signs of stiffness, which we are trying to nip in the bud so to speak!

 

I hope you settle your labbydog into a comfortable regime soon