Does anyone else give their daxie glucosamine? We lost our last daxie at 4 years because of back/disc problems. Our vet recommended we give glucosamine to our new daxie daily to help lubricate the joints and basically help prevent joint and back problems. We have done so dailty for 4 years without any problems. The vet told us that the glucosomine they sell for dogs is better then the human type because more of it is absorbed into the system but both would work. We use the one for humans, it's outrageously cheaper.
I have given Clifford glucosamine & chondroitin since his 1st back surgery 6 years ago. Missing Link food supplement has it included (make sure the label says it is). I also sprinkle 1/8 tsp of Ester Vit C on his morning tsp of yogurt (1 tsp plain yogurt, 1/2 tsp ML, 1/8 tsp ester c, 6 drops liquid vit e & 1/2 tsp Solid Gold flax seed oil). It's pretty tasty, if I do say so myself (LOL). I've read that Vit C can help with the spine as well.
Be careful with flax seed oil. Most human grade products are produced using a chemical that is very bad for dogs. Solid Gold claims they do not use it.
Gunner and Petunia are taking glucosamine/chondroitine, Ester-C, salmon oil and a pet vitamin. They have been doing this since they are almost a year old. They have not had any back issues yet, but i'm doing it in hopes of preventing it. I'm a member of Dodgerslist and I'm keeping a journal for them about the pro's and con's of IVDD.
We give Frank and Dee a supplement from Dr Foster & Smith that has glucosamine, chondrotin, and MSM. They also get fish oil. Our vet highly recommends glucosamine for dachshunds especially since Franky is a recovered IVDD dog and Delilah is a bit large.
Hallie has been on it for most of her life too. But she just had her first (and hopefully last) bout of some back pain (5 weeks, 2 days and 6.5 hours ago). :) I will keep giving her the cosequin though, she is also on fish oil, vit C, vit E, prozyme.
It's good stuff. Rudy & Max both took it. It made a noticeable difference with Rudy, who suffered from pinched nerves fairly often, and I think it's helped keep Max relatively limber, even though Max is over 17 years old now.
I don't regularly give it to my dogs unless they have had a injury but it is one of those things it cannot hurt and it *might* help prevent or lessen the problem should it occur but no one really knows at this point. I do think however i might start Sassie my oldest girl on it soon just for prevention sake hopefully to keep her joints in top form as she ages.. she is very active, loves to dig, chase and play ball so if this *might* help her stay in better shape then i'm all for it. I use the human grade ... i think the formula's for dogs are probably no better and much more expensive!
JMHO
Jen