Supplements.. All the same?

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#1
I've been reading up on various supplements people use or add to their dogs food and thought it would be useful to have what each one does specifically.

I recently started Angel on dasuquin for a joint supplement. I read about studies showing how this supplement prevents cartilage breakdown for better joint health. As I've noticed her really slowing down this last year and much more hesitant to walk on slippery floors or jump on the couch/bed.

Do all joint supplements do different things? The same? Is dasuquin an anti inflammatory as well? Or is there something else that does this? Not sure if joints commonly get inflamed in older dogs or not? I hear a lot of people use glycoflex.

Thoughts on using supplements daily/weekly vs as needed? Are supplements something that the body gets used to, so you have to change the supplement or increase dose to get the same effect?

Also, I occassionaly add a pump of salmon oil. But I've heard of people using cod oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil.. Do all the oils do the same thing or is there a benefit to doing several? How frequently should these things be given?

It's all so confusing to me and I normally don't really believe in herbal remedies, so I prefer to use something where a study has been done to prove that it actually does _____.

Just trying to figure out what would be best for geriatric or hard working dogs!
Thanks in advance!
 

meepitsmeagan

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#2
Look into the Standard Process supplements. They were recommended by my vet for Tulsa's injury. She hasn't been on them long, but overall I really like it. She is on the Muscular Skeletal support powder as well as Ligaplex I, iirc.

I had the two older dogs on Nupro Silver for a while as well and did like that, mainly for joint support in the Boxer. Took them off just because I didn't know if it was doing anything.

Other that that I am no help to you.
 

*blackrose

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#3
I'll just comment on Dasequin: I use it and I really like it. It has no anti-inflammatory properties - I'm not really sure if there are any "supplements" that provide that kind of relief. Typically when you need an anti-inflammatory you're looking at actual medication.

As for whether supplements do the same thing...I'd stick with ones that have actual research backing their efficacy. Different supplements have different bioavailability and different interactions with certain ingredients in the actual supplement.

Supplements do best when given consistently. The body doesn't become "used" to them in terms of them loosing their efficacy, but most supplements do best given lomg term. A joint supplement, for example, helps prevent cartilage from breaking down. If you only use it when the pet is showing signs of discomfort...that cartilage has already broken down and you can't get it back at that point.
 

BostonBanker

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#4
Gusto saw two different orthopedic specialists this summer/fall. Having come from the horse world, I was very quick to ask about supplements, both oral and injected. It's something I was very used to with horses, and, to be honest, it just makes me feel better to be giving something. Tristan spoiled that for me when he went on an 8 year hunger strike, so I had a lot of stored up desire to be throwing something at my animals.

Both vets were pretty 'eh' about joint supplements in general. Sort of "it is fine to do it, but really it probably does nothing". Both highly recommended fish oil. When I pressed for another supplement I could add in, both recommended Dasequin. One of them said "at least with that one, you can be sure that it actually contains what it says it does".

I do give the Dasequin with MSM along with the fish oil; at least from the information I've absorbed from horse supplements over the years, MSM is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. I never looked too deeply into it, so that may just be a line from supplement companies. Both of mine get the recommended dose of Dasequin for their size, and Meg gets the recommended does of fish oil. Gusto gets double the dose of fish oil, because he's the one who may actually have a joint issue.

The big suggestions from both vets as far as keeping my agility dog sound were keeping him lean and fit, proper warm-up/stretching, icing after especially strenuous work, and the fish oil. I added in the Dasequin and Back on Track products to make myself feel better.
 

BostonBanker

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#6
BB- What kind of fish oil do you use?
I use this salmon oil, because it is what they sell at my favorite small dog supply store down the street.

http://icelandpure.com/salmon.htm

I kind of wanted to go with their premier oil (it says premier so it must be better, right?!), but I was a little scared off by the mentions of fish smell. I really, really hate fish.

Meg gets 1 pump 2x/day, Gusto gets 2.
 

SpringerLover

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#7
I use Dasuquin as a joint supplement and have for many years. I love the results I've seen.

I also use an anti inflammatory dose of fish oil (EPA) in dogs. I rotate the brands I use. Right now it is Welactin purely because of how much less I have to use. I have used the Grizzly products but I go through more.

I use standard process supplements as well but only the renal/kidney support and Boswellia right now. Oh, and the crazy dog one.

I will probably have all of my animals on Dasuquin forever untul/unless something better comes out.
 
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#8
I'll just comment on Dasequin: I use it and I really like it. It has no anti-inflammatory properties - I'm not really sure if there are any "supplements" that provide that kind of relief. Typically when you need an anti-inflammatory you're looking at actual medication.

As for whether supplements do the same thing...I'd stick with ones that have actual research backing their efficacy. Different supplements have different bioavailability and different interactions with certain ingredients in the actual supplement.

Supplements do best when given consistently. The body doesn't become "used" to them in terms of them loosing their efficacy, but most supplements do best given lomg term. A joint supplement, for example, helps prevent cartilage from breaking down. If you only use it when the pet is showing signs of discomfort...that cartilage has already broken down and you can't get it back at that point.
Thanks for all the replies!!

This reply in particular seemed really helpful for what I was wondering about. I was hoping this thread could be a place to list which supplements that have actual research backing their efficacy.

Right now I am using dasuquin and grizzly salmon oil. This sounds to be about all that is recommended based on research?

Dasuquin seems to have more research for effectiveness on dogs on the molecular level than similar products. What I am having trouble finding out is if there is a difference in the oils that people are commonly using for their dogs? Are they all anti inflammatory and coat related? Or do they do different things?

Thanks!
 

pinkspore

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#9
I am a stick-in-the-mud skeptic and won't use anything that doesn't have real actual serious scientific proof behind it. I don't use joint supplements for that reason, either for myself or the dogs. Heck, I don't even use cough suppressants because the evidence for them efficacy is so sketchy.

I like to read the SkepVet blog for fun.
 
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#10
Fish oil is good for you and your dog. Just check to see if it is a good quality. Cheap is not better in this case. Also, a probiotic for dogs is good for older dogs to help them digest their food and capture as much of the nutrients as possible for them.
 

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