Supplements for back health????

[doxielady5569128]

Hey I have a few questions.  Are there any supplements that we could give to Porky and Bandit to ensure that their backs stay healthy and strong for as long as possible??   We just found out that Bandit's parents, had very bad back problems when they turned five.  We were able to contact his breeder by looking through his vet records.   Besides, keeping them from jumping and playing too rough, what else can we do to ensure they dont have back problems for as long as possible?   
Porky's bloodlines have been pretty good for not having back troubles, but i want to do all i can just in case.   And we want to try and keep Bandit from having problems also.  Thanks. 

Since these two are the first wieners i have had experience with i wasn't sure.  My uncle had one but, we never got to see it grow into old age because of a divorce.  (long story!)   Is there reason to worry about both of Bandit's parents having back problems?   I figured that it was of concern, but just wasn't sure.   It is so nice to have experienced owners to ask!

[cheryl186]

Hi.  Unfortunately I can tell you some things about this because my Zoe just had back surgery for IVDD on August 3rd of this year.  Now she is on Glucosamine and Chondroitin tablets every day.  Also, it is good to place your baby on Ester C tabs, around 1000mg a day.  Ester C doesn't have as much acid in it as regular vitamin c does.  It is good that you are being careful and practicing preventive actions.  Yes, it is thought that disc disease in our babies is probably hereditary.  If you want further information that you can trust, please go to www.dodgerslist.com and talk to the very nice, helpful and wonderful people there who have had dachsies with back problems.  It is a wonderful web site.  They have helped me through a difficult time with Zoe.  God bless you and your babies, Cheryl.

[cheryl186]

There are a few more things I need to mention to you if you are interested.  There is currently a study being conducted by a University in California regarding Disc Disease being hereditary.  It involves DNA mouth swabs being sent to the University for study.  The swabs can be obtained by contacting Linda Stowe on Dodgerslist. 

Also, I wanted to mention the signs to look for regarding back problems in your dachsie.  Yelping when picked up, reluctance to move, hunched back, tight abdomen and stomach muscle "quivers".  After those symptoms would come "wobbly" legs and then dragging.  I HOPE YOU NEVER HAVE TO DEAL WITH A BACK ISSUE IN YOUR FURKIDS!!!

I am happy to report that my Zoe is up and running     My hubby made the ramps for our house and we are currently training Zoe and her half brother Winston to use them. 

:thumb: to you for being a concerned and responsible mommie to your furkids!!!

[doxielady5569128]

Thanks so much for the helpful information!!!!!    Bandit does not live with me, he lives with my parents and younger brother, so i will pass this information on to them as well.   We will definately have to check out the website you gave us a link to.   I'm so sorry your poor puppy had to have back surgery!   It breaks my heart to see animals in pain, I can't imagine if it happened to one of my pets!

We haven't gotten ramps yet for Porky or Bandit.  We definately need to do that.   Right now, we carry Porky up and down our stairs and try and make sure he's not jumping on furniture.  We try to catch him before he jumps, and then lift him onto the furniture.

May God bless ou and your family as well!!  Take care!

[Krista]

2 of my 3 have battled with IVDD.  Rudy only required meds and crate rest, but Roscoe required surgery as he went completely down.  His surgery was November 10th of last year.

My vet does recommend Glyco-flex for a supplement. 

The surgeon however says your best best is keeping your dachshund at a healthy weight, but unfortunately that did not keep Rudy and Roscoe from troubles.  Neither have ever been overweight.  A lot of it boils down to genetics it seems. 

Good luck!  I hope you never have to deal with IVDD!

[doxielady5569128]

Thanks for the advice.  I did know about the weight thing.  Porky I don't think will have weight issues ever.  He barely eats enough to keep himself from losing weight.  Bandit on the other hand is a little butterball.   He was deprived of food by his previous owners, so he tries to scarf down as much food as he can anytime he sees any.  He even wolfs down the cat's food at my parent's house.  They have to be careful because if they leave butter out on the table he will eat that too!   We exercise him a lot trying to get him to lose weight but we need to figure out how to ease his fears about food, so he takes it easy and only eats what he needs.   My parents and brother measure out his food, but he seems to get more by sneaking out of the cat dish and the neighbor's dog dishes outside. 

Where can I buy Gyco-Flex?   Is it available through Drs. Foster and Smith or something equivalent?