Supplementation- Pro's vs Con's?

Kayla

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#1
Just curious if anyone here currently uses supplements and why? I understand in older dogs suffering from artheritis there could be considerable pain reduction with the addition of glucosimine and omega 3 but what about supplementing as part as a joint support plan?

I am currently trying to condition Duke slowly to gain more endurance and stamina for recreational sledding/skijoring and picked up a bottle of Whey 9 after considering if any benefits would exsist for extra joint support.

Taken from their site ( http://www.whey9.com/) Whey 9 claims,

"
WHEY PROTEIN
Whey protein is nature's finest source of protein. It is the most complete protein, containing all of the essential amino acids required by a dog's body. Whey is the easiest protein to digest so it quickly nourishes a dog's body, helping to build lean muscle and reduce fat levels. In addition, whey protein promotes the following:

• builds muscle and helps reduce fat levels
• helps lower cholesterol levels
• is ideal for dogs with diabetes as whey contains more nutritional value than other protein sources
• boosts the immune system

VITAMIN D3
Vitamin D 3 is regulates the intake of calcium into the bloodstream and bones of a dog. It also helps protect the dog from certain cancers and regulates blood sugar levels. While all ages benefit from this ingredient, it is great for puppies as it helps regulate cell growth.


CORAL CALCIUM
Coral is the finest source of calcium in the world. Mined from the reefs of Okinawa, Japan, our coral is beneficial to the health of humans and animals alike. It contains every mineral found in a dog's body and is proven to have the best absorption of any calcium source. Coral calcium also:

• defends against disease by raising a dog's body pH – acidic pH is linked to over 150 diseases
• gives the body what it needs to heal itself (the trace minerals found in coral)
• strengthens bones, nails and teeth
• oxygenates the bloodstream
• revitalizes a dog's coat, keeping hair healthy and shiny
• contains the proper ratio of calcium to phosphorus that a dog's body needs: 2:1"

on the back of the bottle it reads

"crude protein 9.5%
crude fat minimum 0.6%
crude fiber maximum 0%
moisture maximum 1.4%

per 2gs
calcium 9%
vitamin d3 1000 I.U/ kg"

I haven't decided as to whether or not I will use it yet but can anyone give me any articles on the pros and cons of supplementation/ there own personal experinces.

I wouldnt use it every day but even twice a week as a little extra seemed like a good idea, my only concerns are due to my lack of knowledge as to how dogs digest certain things Im not sure if this will do more harm then good.

The food he is currently eating is called Holestic Blend (http://www.holisticblend.com/product...products_id=72 ) and it's ingredients and anaylsis are as followed...

Lamb meal, whole ground millet, whole ground brown rice, whole ground barley, wild salmon, nutritional yeast, amaranth, flax seed, canola oil, alfalfa, calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, choline chloride, L-lysine, cranberries, yucca schidigera extracts, garlic powder, cinnamon powder, rosemary extracts, ferrous sulphate, zinc oxide, vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, manganous oxide, zinc proteinate, niacin, vitamin A acetate, calcium pantothenate, sodium selenite, manganese proteinate, thiamin mononitrate, colbalt sulphate, biotin, riboflavin, calcium iodate, vitamin D3 supplement, copper proteinates, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin K1 supplement

Guaranteed AnalysisCRUDE PROTEIN 22% MINIMUM CRUDE FAT 8% MINIMUM MOISTURE 10% MAXIMUM CRUDE FIBRE 5% MAXIMUM CRUDE ASH 10% MAXIMUM OMEGA 6 FATTY ACIDS 4.5% MINIMUM OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS 0.61% MINIMUM

Thanks
Kayla
 

Beanie

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#2
Can anybody add some input to this? I'm looking to supplement for Auggie's joints to keep them nice and healthy, since he's an agility dog, but I don't know what to use...
 

elegy

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#3
i use glycoflex 1 for both luce and harvey. there are other good brands- cosequin, synovi, syn-flex.

luce takes it because of her knee injury. i have no idea what good it's done her as she started it when she hurt her knee and has been on it ever since. harv takes it for old man arthritis, and i definitely *have* noticed a change in him.
 

bubbatd

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#4
Wish I could help !!! But I feel a good diet and certain additional foods from now and then is all that's needed ( unless there's a problem ) . I'm not one to add things from bottles except fish oil . I always add something ... cottage cheese , an egg, veggies , yogurt etc etc to each meal . Ollie probably doesn't need it , it's a Mom thing !! I just can't add H20 and let it go !!! If in a rush and my refrig is bare , he gets a spoonfull of canned to make ME feel better !
 

imanetjunkie2

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#5
There are lots of great products out there for arthritis and joint problems... The one I keep hearing about over and over and over is actually an all-in-one supplement (I know, I was skeptical too) by Animal Naturals, LLC called K9 ShowStopper. I just keep getting e-mails and phone calls and rave reviews for this product. Even our own skeptical pet specialist here has become a believer. Read the reviews here. I am tempted to start myself on a regimen with all the hooplah.

If you still really don't like the idea of the all-in-one, the same company makes a product called Joint Strong that is just for the joint problems.
 
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#6
Honestly, feeding a higher protein diet and adding a joint health supplement would probably prove more beneficial.

Supplementing with calcium when feeding a commercial diet isn't necessary and can be harmful in a growing pup - I don't know how old your dog is.

I would need more information about your dog before giving any suggestions beyond that.

As far as the Animal Naturals, I do like their products and have seen great results with their SuperFuel for dogs with muscle wasting and heavily worked dogs, but, they did at one point have menidione on their ingredients list, I don't know if they still do. And that post regarding Animal Naturals sounds a bit spammy to me.
 

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