Question on Arthritis and Joint Therepy Care

[Diana]

I called out vet today concerning Bianka not being x-rayed yet for HD, they said they did not recommend the x-ray till they were 2 years of age. I then questioned them on a Joint Therepy medication. I found out Cosquin was considered by them to be the Cadilac of the joint Therepy's meaning more expensive and it did have one ingredient in it that the other they sold did not.

Our golden seems to be doing fine....I just want to keep it that way is all. I know these will not stop it if it is their, but it will help it. Do any of your use these? If so, which ones? Also, do you get them through your vet, or order elsewhere? Where?

Thanks everyone,
Diana

[goldenjack]

I'm not very clear on why you are giving your dog joint therepy. Is it because your VET told you to give it to your dog, or is it an arbitrary decision on your part? If it's the later, I think it's a waste of money and could possibly have undesirable affects on your dog. But that's just my opinion. I will not give my dogs any drug or therepy unless I am convinced that my dog has a problem. I am content to just let sleeping dogs be. No joke intended. * * * *

As far as where you can purchase supplements. It depends on whether they are prescription meds or over-the-counter. These days, you could purchase both over the Internet; however, the prescription meds will still require a written prescription from the VET. As far as cost is concerned, your VET is generally more expensive. My advice: become an informed consumer and shop around. Find out the exact name of the medication or supplement required, along with the required size. Then comparison shop. Get the price from your VET, find out what retail pet stores charge, then find out how much it costs over the Internet (taking into account the shipping charges). One Internet pet pharmacy that I usually buy from is 1800petmeds.com, but there are many others.

[Diana]

Hi GoldenLover, yes it was an option when I called my vet this morning. You see, since it is recommended that the x-rays be at 2 years we have another year to go with her before it is done. The main thing that has to be done until these x-rays is to keep everything in as good as shape as possible, if it is their by chance and we have missed it we don’t want to risk further damage. This could mean a more serious operation on our golden, cost more, and of course it is not a cure all either.

If you read up on some of these joint therapy’s you will find that some are thought to help with the maintenance and repair process of the connective tissues including, joints, synovial fluid, tendons and ligaments, and cartilage. It is not a cure all, but if it can prevent and possibly help with further damage to the golden for one more year I am willing to take that chance.

I didn’t hear of any side effects from my vet, in fact one they suggested to me they also told me I could take it….that’s all I know. So I did consider it pretty safe and would not hurt her. What undesirable effects are you speaking of?

Thanks for all the information on buying medications over the net, but I know all this....lol I am more interested in who you all know and trust as far as internet buying. hehehehehehe

Diana

[Swampcollie]

Hi Diana,

You can't do a set of OFA films until the pup is two years old. You can do a Hip Prelim exam (same as the official one)on your pup after it reaches about 8 months or so in age. If there is a serious problem present you (your Vet) will see it on the films at eight months old.

Doing the Prelim will give you the answers you seek. Try to find a Vet in your area that is experienced in doing the exam. Getting the pup in the proper position is critical to the accuracy of the X-rays.