h
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| Posted 07/23/12 at 11:23 PM | Reply with quote #1 |
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Teddy will be 6 in a few weeks.
As you know, I keep him lean and fit.
The last few weeks I noticed that he has somewhat downed pasterns. They look like they are weakening. The right side is worse than the left.
Is there anything I can do to help this? Are there supplements or specific exercises?
I'm beginning to worry about this.
Any suggestions from experienced folks would be greatly appreciated. I know how to "Google" and "Yahoo" so I don't need anyone to do this for me.
Thanks in advance.
H
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Jeanine
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| Posted 07/23/12 at 11:28 PM | Reply with quote #2 |
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H- vitamin C supplementation, MSM, Glucosamine, Condroitin, SOD (Super Oxide Dismutase) and Boswellia. These supplements added to his regular food will put spring back into his step. Also, may I suggest keeping him off the beach sand. It is not good for pasterns, knees or hips. You can buy the supplements through the Vitamin Shoppe. I found it really helped my 10 year old male mastiff and I started Layla on them at 4 years old to head off problems I saw in him. Good luck to you and Teddy.
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h
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| Posted 07/23/12 at 11:54 PM | Reply with quote #3 |
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Thanks, Jeanine.
Where do you get these for dogs and do they come packaged? How many milligrams of each?
I ripped my left knee apart and after surgery, was told by an Ortho doc to use Glucosamine, but it aggravated my digestive system. Will it do that to Ted? He is already a runny pooper.
He lives for his walks and would not be the same dog if I had to limit them. I've already shortened them. He is way too young to be falling apart. I am way too in love with him to watch him fall apart at his age.
H
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Tracy
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| Posted 07/24/12 at 01:22 AM | Reply with quote #4 |
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Ive always used Vit C for pups that are down in the pasterns, it also seems to help with runny eyes. I start with one 500 mg capsule tablets and go up to 3 over the course of a couple of weeks.
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GinaG
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| Posted 07/24/12 at 01:38 AM | Reply with quote #5 |
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I agree about the Vit C. and don't forget Herb, Teddy is qualified for Veterans classes now that he will be 6. they do age too fast, but you keep him so young at heart. I'm sure he won't notice a shorter walk, just as long as you are by his side...everything seems to go south at a certain age. Even straight hocks seem to "come down" a bit too...
hugs to family,
Gina
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Dixie
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| Posted 07/24/12 at 05:17 AM | Reply with quote #6 |
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if you are going to use Vitamin C be sure to use the slow release kind. It's easier on the stomach. Ester C is the name of the kind to use.
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Jeanine
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| Posted 07/24/12 at 08:27 AM | Reply with quote #7 |
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H - I use Vitamin Shoppe products for the dogs. They are cost effective and standardized.
You can get the joint products separately or in combination. I find that fewer tablets are easier to deal with...
I have had no difficulty with even sensitive stomachs...
Here's the winning recipe for bones, tendons and ligaments:
Glucosamine 500 and Condroitin Suflate 400 and MSM 500 2 caps AM 2 caps PM Boswellia Serrata Extract 250 1 cap AM Super Oxide Dismutase 2664 McCord Units 1 cap AM 1 cap PM Buffered Vitamin C 1000 mg caps 2 caps AM 2 caps PM (Harrie Fulop says she gives 6000 per day to her guys and they have the most beautiful feet I've ever seen!)
Initially, if Teddy is having trouble you can increase dosage. I've upped the combo by one full dose (3 AM, 3 PM) and upped the SOD by 2 caps. Then when Duncan (my 12 year old male mastiff) had gotten his running legs back, I backed off to the dose above. If Teddy isn't having difficulty walking or getting up from a prone position, I'd stick with the standard dose and just go from there...There is no problem upping the vitamin C (as long as it's buffered). Just like people who need more immune support in the winter, the dogs can benefit. They make their own vitamin C, but Teddy is stressed (even if he's not showing it) with a new puppy in the house - so a little extra can go a long way in improving health.
Hope he's doing well. As far as walks go, I would not stop Teddy, but I would change the surface...less sand, more grass and turf.
BTW, Bess was delightful as usual...she's so cute in class. Dozer was full of vinegar last night. He was really hungry and had to GO! I missed all the important "housebreaking" rules, but we're doing well over this way.
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BlusMom
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| Posted 07/24/12 at 09:41 AM | Reply with quote #8 |
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Herb,
Chicken feet yes chicken feet are a good natural source of Glucosimine (sp?).
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Jeanine
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| Posted 07/24/12 at 10:00 AM | Reply with quote #9 |
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Theresa - good idea as a source of UC-II a collagen matrix builder. Herb - you can also purchase UC-II in tablet form if you don't usually feed raw.
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sarahk2
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| Posted 07/24/12 at 11:22 AM | Reply with quote #10 |
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H -
I see many are giving great advice (which I will follow for my guys too). I know what you are going through, though, and I think you will feel better with time. Every time I have had to say good-bye, I fear that something will happen to one of the others. So, I watch very closely and run them to the vet for anything...almost in an attempt to catch any little thing just so I don't have to deal with that pain again. Of course, I will have to - that is what dog ownership means. But, after a little while, I start to relax a bit. I'm not suggesting that you are overanalyzing - just that I recognize the concerns.
BTW, Teddy looks awesome! I have my Newfie and Jazzy (older female) on Dasaquin. That seems to help a great deal. When Hank developed arthritis and seemed to struggle in getting up, I did Adequan injections - they were awesome and he was began going for longer walks, building up his rear leg muscles, etc. There are lots of things that can be done to help these big guys.
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CChauncey
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| Posted 07/24/12 at 11:34 AM | Reply with quote #11 |
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H, I know where you're at with Teddy. Maxine will be 8 in November and I've been noticing her "aging" more lately and is a big concern. Will continue to do all we can to maintain/improve whatever possible but as much as we want to....we can't stop time. You may be noticing the differences more because of the new pup zipping around effortlessly at warp speed and I've found that often helps keep the older ones mobile longer. JMHO.
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Tracy
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| Posted 07/24/12 at 12:44 PM | Reply with quote #12 |
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I think te same thing Cindy. Tuck has always been a very laid back dog, but I have noticed within the last few months he is reluctant to go outside as often, his morning job is to get the newspaper, something he only does maybe 1-2x a week now. He goes outside does his buisiness, and then comes back and sits on the steps, whereas Reggie at a few months shy of 11 walks the entire yard ect. Makes me a little sad to think my big Pony is aging. 
of course its been in the 90's and up here since last may.
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zachodie
Registered: 03/28/12
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| Posted 07/24/12 at 02:47 PM | Reply with quote #13 |
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H- the product Sarah mentioned Dasaquin, is a very good product made by Nutramax Labs, formulated for dogs. They first made Cosequin, then added Dasaquin. They are the only products out there for dogs that independent studies have been done to prove that they actually contain the ingredients they say they have. They have Glucosamine, Condroitin Suflate and come with or without the MSM. My male Zach had very bad arthritis I started him on fish oil and Coseqiun as he aged I switched to the Dasaquin. These products really helped him. Also hard to find but K9 Liquid Health was a miracle product as he aged I added this to his daily meds. I was able to keep him walking and running and playing soccer every day right up to one week before he passed at eleven
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h
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| Posted 07/24/12 at 11:48 PM | Reply with quote #14 |
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It looks like Dasaquin has a lot of the stuff Jeanine mentioned. I'll get that and vitamin C and see how it goes.
Thanks, everybody.
H
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h
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| Posted 07/25/12 at 12:47 AM | Reply with quote #15 |
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I just want to add...
We have to keep him going strong because he is the best friend I've ever had. I owe it to him.
H
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GinaG
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| Posted 07/25/12 at 03:56 AM | Reply with quote #16 |
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Funny, I never, ever added anything (supplements) to my Mastiffs food and they all lived to l0 and ll. Maybe it was luck, I don't know. But I see a need if there is one I guess...good luck with your bestest friend, he does deserve it and he has many good years ahead.
Gina
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Jeanine
Registered: 06/09/12
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| Posted 07/25/12 at 07:55 AM | Reply with quote #17 |
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H - Dasaquin is a very good product. It wasn't available 16 years ago when I put Duncan on the supplements.
Be sure to get Teddy on the SOD (superoxide dismutase), Boswellia Serrata and vitamin C as well. Within a day or two of the SOD you will see tremendous improvement. It is an important antioxidant for the body cells.
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dixierockstarr
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| Posted 07/25/12 at 08:48 AM | Reply with quote #18 |
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I'm with you Gina. My Sweetie lived to a month shy of her 12th birthday. I never gave her supplements. Fed her Diamond dog food and table scraps and loved the heck outta her, she was Awesome!
But if there's a need then that's great that there are supplements available and people with the knowledge to administer...
Hope Teddy is OK. He seems like one of the best!
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tatetori2
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| Posted 07/25/12 at 06:01 PM | Reply with quote #19 |
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H we use Dasaquin for Cole too. My Vet said it's the only one she would recommend.
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h
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| Posted 07/25/12 at 09:38 PM | Reply with quote #20 |
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Quote: Funny, I never, ever added anything (supplements) to my Mastiffs food and they all lived to l0 and ll. Maybe it was luck, I don't know. But I see a need if there is one I guess...good luck with your bestest friend, he does deserve it and he has many good years ahead.
Gina
Maybe I was misunderstood.
Teddy is not dying. He is not falling apart.
He is down on his pasterns.
I'm worried about him because he loves his 2 mile a day walks and I don't want to take that from him. I don't want to see him walking in his wrists either.
Gina and Christin, were your 10 and 12 year old dogs walking in excess of 20 miles a week? If so, did they show no signs of wear and tear?
I'm just wondering if this is a normal type of aging or if Teddy is aging more quickly and, if so, will supplements slow it down?
Thanks again.
H
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Slingers
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| Posted 07/25/12 at 09:58 PM | Reply with quote #21 |
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Dasuquin is good stuff! I was told by my vet that of all the glucosamine products tested that this was 1 of the 2 that had the most glucosamine. I get mine from VetApprovedRX.com It's $76.99 for 150 tabs (vet charges more than that for 80 tabs) and it's free shipping over $39. Always fresh dates! Here is the link:
http://www.vetapprovedrx.com/shop.asp?subcategory_id=13
AND when it comes time they think you need more they send an email with a $5.00 off coupon 
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zachodie
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| Posted 07/25/12 at 10:14 PM | Reply with quote #22 |
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My vet thinks the Dasaquin works best as a preventative. I do not buy it from the vet so not her pocketbook speaking. If this is just normal wear and tear signs of a six year old mastiff the Dasaquin should really help him
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Jeanine
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| Posted 07/25/12 at 10:29 PM | Reply with quote #23 |
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H - it's normal for Teddy to show some signs of aging, as you are describing; however, adding the supplements will improve things for him as he "ages." The antioxidants (SOD, C) will fight free radicals and stress while the joint formula and Boswellia will protect his tendons and ligaments. He's in really good shape - and not so old either! He should do great on the supplements!
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dixierockstarr
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| Posted 07/26/12 at 12:46 AM | Reply with quote #24 |
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Hey H. I can't tell you how many miles she was walking but I had 7.5 acres and she was very active. I found many "presents" on the front porch. Once she had a baby rabbit in her mouth that I failed to see when I let her in. It ended up in my lap after I sat on the couch! She loved chasing the coyotes too, never caught any though, thank goodness! Awww memory lane. I miss my Sweetie.
She went to flea markets, Atwoods and Petsmart with me quite often and once she hurt her shoulder while jumping out of the truck cab. I can't remember what the vet gave her but she was better after a couple months. She always wanted help in and out of the truck after that.
I don't remember seeing any visual signs of aging (besides the grey muzzle) till the last year. She started loosing weight and slowing way down.
Does Teddy show any signs of discomfort? I think if I saw one pastern further down than the other I would be trying some physical therapy on him. But that's probably because I've seen the wonders PT does for my son and his tight muscle tone in his legs. If I had any experience with supplements I'd give it to you but I don't so I can't.
In any case I can clearly see how special Teddy is and i want him to stay in tiptop shape for your well-being as much as for his.
Keep us posted on what you use and how it works please...
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