morphjk Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 I have 7 month old Labrador who has developed arthritis and so am thinking of feeding him Royal Canin Mobility Support but the vet suggests Hills Science Diet. Apparently they (Hills) also have one that is tailored to suit dogs with arthritis. So what do people suggest? With the Royal Canin will I need to wait until he is an adult? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Is it Hills J/d? btw that is a prescription diet form, not the regular science diet. The Large Breed Puppy has less protein etc but I don't believe it has glucosamine or any other added supplements....I will go check tomorrow. If I am right they don't start adding supplements until the Senior diet. You may want to check the price comparison of RC to Hills Prescription. It may also be cheaper to use something like Joint Guard powder with regular food. If you want to use mobility support- then find a Vet who stocks it OR who will get it in for you, we only have Hills out the front but we are very happy to order in any other brand that our clients request. If your Vet won't do it find somewhere that will- it's not difficult to get the food in. Cheers, Mel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhi Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 I'm no expect but our vet reccomended Hills, but they also sell it... My lab was growing to fast for his bones and was developing irrigular joint growth. We put him on Hills Large puppy two times a day and gave him a 4 week course of Cartrophen injections. The injections worked really well for him (but doesn't always work well for every dog). He is a much happier dog now, because of his change in diet he has a shiner coat and his stools are regular. We were reccomended to keep him on Large puppy until he is 18months, (he is 12 months now) to ensure his bones develop and fuse properly. The large puppy for has a higher level of calcium which is essential for a growing dogs needs, if you were to give him Royal Canin you might wish to supplement his diet with extra calcium.There are a bucket load of posts in this section on glucosamine, which is worth looking into. Cheers RHI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morphjk Posted June 12, 2007 Author Share Posted June 12, 2007 I'm no expect but our vet reccomended Hills, but they also sell it...My lab was growing to fast for his bones and was developing irrigular joint growth. We put him on Hills Large puppy two times a day and gave him a 4 week course of Cartrophen injections. The injections worked really well for him (but doesn't always work well for every dog). He is a much happier dog now, because of his change in diet he has a shiner coat and his stools are regular. There are a bucket load of posts in this section on glucosamine, which is worth looking into. Cheers RHI I have been giving him Royal Canin Maxi Junior and he is having the 4 week course of Cartophen injections (he had his third today) and have seen an improvement so far. He has a good coat and and has always had regular stools Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morphjk Posted June 12, 2007 Author Share Posted June 12, 2007 Is it Hills J/d? btw that is a prescription diet form, not the regular science diet. The Large Breed Puppy has less protein etc but I don't believe it has glucosamine or any other added supplements....I will go check tomorrow. If I am right they don't start adding supplements until the Senior diet.You may want to check the price comparison of RC to Hills Prescription. It may also be cheaper to use something like Joint Guard powder with regular food. If you want to use mobility support- then find a Vet who stocks it OR who will get it in for you, we only have Hills out the front but we are very happy to order in any other brand that our clients request. If your Vet won't do it find somewhere that will- it's not difficult to get the food in. Cheers, Mel. I believe that it is Hills J/d but I thought that I read that it isn't available in Australia off their website. I do use Joint Guard now. Will have to see about getting it in from a vet or online (have found it online) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 What specific ingredients do these foods have that help with arthritis and how much does your dog get thru the food each day? I think the amount from the special joint supplements is much higher e.g. glucosamine and chondritin? It might be better for your dog to give supplements for arthritis specifically, rather than buy the prepackaged diet? What does your breeder suggest? They should know if one of their pups has arthritis at a young age. Keeping your pup nice and lean will help his arthritis and growing bones, also. Good luck with your pup . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Archie~ Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 J/d is available in Australia... You're probably best off feeding him something he likes, like a nice palatable Large breed puppy food and using Joint Guard in with that. That way he is getting the diet required for a growing puppy and you're adding in the correct daily requirements of a quality glucosamine/chondroitin which will help his joints. The hills & royal canin dry foods have some degree of supplement in them for the arthritis, but there isnt enough of the supplements in there to help the joints like Joint Guard. I have been there done that with Mum's labrador!! We have kept him on something he likes to eat, and added supplement to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Personally i would be sticking to a correct diet for a puppy & then maintaining a good simple diet & supplementing. My dogs get supplements every day from puppy to old age & i do not believe you can get the same quantity from a diet alone plus the dietery requirements of a pup. I would alos look at a good fitness programme to maintain joint health to the best possible like swimming,i would also seek out a good Bowen therapist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morphjk Posted June 12, 2007 Author Share Posted June 12, 2007 What does your breeder suggest? They should know if one of their pups has arthritis at a young age.Keeping your pup nice and lean will help his arthritis and growing bones, also. Good luck with your pup . The breeder knows and was shocked when she found out as it is the first time that she has had this happen to one of her dogs. All the other in the litter have been ok. She has been fantastic and has provided excellent support. She has recommended the joint guard along with keeping him lean along with a number of other things Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morphjk Posted June 12, 2007 Author Share Posted June 12, 2007 I have been there done that with Mum's labrador!! We have kept him on something he likes to eat, and added supplement to it. My dog likes nearly anything (I can't even eat without him thinking it is for him). I think maybe I'll just keep going the way I am. Keep him on the same food and keep giving him joint guard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morphjk Posted June 12, 2007 Author Share Posted June 12, 2007 (edited) I would alos look at a good fitness programme to maintain joint health to the best possible like swimming,i would also seek out a good Bowen therapist Um, whats a Bowen therapist??? Sorry bit slow.... And will they be in Tasmania???? I'm just going to wait till he has had his 4 injections then here we come water (then he might not try and get into my shower all the time ) Edited June 12, 2007 by morphjk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Personally i would be sticking to a correct diet for a puppy & then maintaining a good simple diet & supplementing.My dogs get supplements every day from puppy to old age & i do not believe you can get the same quantity from a diet alone plus the dietery requirements of a pup. I would alos look at a good fitness programme to maintain joint health to the best possible like swimming,i would also seek out a good Bowen therapist I totally agree with showdog. I would maintain a good pup diet and supplement with something like Joint Guard (I use this for my old guy and he is doing really well). Swimming is a great therapy for dogs with arthritis (my lad cannot do it because he just sinks - could not swim to save himself. But he does like to wade around in the shallow water). There are other supplements you can get for your dog, maybe it would help to see a holistic vet and have them supply you with what is needed for your pet. Where are you? I can give you the details of our wonderful holistic vet in Sydney if you want. We are in Canberra and liaise with them via our vet and phone. Cheers Jodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 Bowen is massage & yes it should be in Tassie.Your best source to find out would be horse people or even the shops like Europa etc. I get my dogs done nearly every month & the oldies aswell who do have arthritis etc & it is well worth every cent(it isnt chiro but massage) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandgrubber Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 I breed Labbies. Nutrition is important, but not the latch-key to arthritic problems. I suspect the dogfood manufacturers like to take advantage of distress. I don't have AN ANSWER. But feel free to PM for casual not legally binding opinion. p.s. (which should come before all else). Sorry to hear your pup is in pain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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