Swimming Places In Canberra And How Much Glucosamine?ss

[muffinmclay]

My 1 yr old Lab was diagnosed with HD a few months ago. The vet told us to put him on 500mg of glucosamine + chondriotin daily, but I don't think it is helping at all. Should the dosage be larger? He weighs about 16kgs. Also, how much fish oil should he be having? He currently has a 1000mg capsule twice a week - is this enough? I've not noticed any change in his pain or limping - we've had 4 of the arthritis injections too.

Also, are there any hydro pools to take a dog for a paddle in Canberra? I don't really want to go to the lake/river as I'll have to get in too and they aren't the cleanest or warmest!

[Pugmum]

Hi ,

I got a lot of conflicting information about fish oil - eventually I tied down the specialist my dog sees to get a more definitive answer. He says on average it is 500 mg per 10lb wieght (so 1000mg per 10 kg dog weight) and double that for dogs with heart problems. That is a daily dose. My 10kg dog gets a 1000mg dose each day (she does not have a heart problem).

For the glucosamine chondroitin I had to be a bt less specific - the container I use provides a scoop and the dosage is 2 scoops per day for an adult. I figure my girl is about an a sixth to eighth of an adults weight so she gets about 1 third a scoop a day - about half a teaspoon. I dont know if this comes in other strengths, I just scaled down according to the dosage on the packet.

[poodlefan]

Muffinclav:

He weighs about 16kgs.

Are you sure? Sounds very light to me. I don't know of any pools in the region that take dogs.

Edited February 23, 2010 by poodlefan

[Sankari]

I would be giving fish oil everyday. My dog gets 2x 1000mg fish oil, 1x 500mg vitamin C , 1x 1500mg Glucosamine and she gets Joint guard. This is what she gets everyday. Once to twice a week she goes swimming as well. She is a real waterbaby.

You dont have to get in the water of rivers/lakes well i dont but my dog is always very good and comes back. I stand on the edge of the water and watch her. Down here we have a beautiful place called Kepala which is a dog resort and I hire the pool out for half an hour once a week and she goes in there and does laps. It's built beautiful muscle tone up in her legs. Swimming is fabulous for dogs!

[muffinmclay]

You dont have to get in the water of rivers/lakes well i dont but my dog is always very good and comes back. I stand on the edge of the water and watch her. Down here we have a beautiful place called Kepala which is a dog resort and I hire the pool out for half an hour once a week and she goes in there and does laps. It's built beautiful muscle tone up in her legs. Swimming is fabulous for dogs!

I have two dogs and unfortunately, the one I'm talking about hates the water! The other dog tries to get in the bath with the kids! Any time I try to get the HD dog in the water i have to go in too )

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to up the dose for the fish oil and gluc and see if it makes a difference (and yep, he is exactly 15.9kgs, just got on the scales with him). We are off to see a dog chiro next week too. Not sure if I should investigate acupuncture aswell?