Marlin - Another Udate

[Marlin&Me]

As I previously posted, Marlin went for xrays of front legs and hips. I had told vet that his front paw seems to scrape the ground and turn in at times (similar to turning in your ankle). After getting the results from my vet I took him to ortho specialist who said he had elbow dysplasia in both elbows and significant arthritis. My regular vet never mentioned elbows; said hip looked a little funny. The ortho guy must have thought I was a nut because the look of shock when he said hips are fine--elbows are not. (I didn't tell ortho that my vet never mentioned elbows - I was really overwhelmed).

Fast forward, I call my vet's office and speak with office manager to tell her of the whole mess. Vet calls me back and apologizes; he never looked at the xrays of the elbow - only the hip. That is so screwed up since I brought him in complaining about front legs. He went on to say that I didn't need a second opinion since it is very obvious according to xrays.....I am livid now. I don't like how everything was handled so I decided to take Marlin to another vet and start all over.

Of course, the results are the same, but the point is that the vet we saw today explained everything to me and said he should have the arthroscopic surgery. We also talked about diet. She highly recommends Purina Joint and Mobility kibble. Has anyone ever used this? Right now I feed Fromm Gold and like it. Marlin is only 60 lbs but not skinny. Also, I will be giving Salmon Oil and she also suggest Dasaquin by Nutramax. I have also read that alot of members here use Hylasport. I would love to hear opinions about the food and supplements for dogs with joint issues.

[Berna]

Wait wait, the dog was dragging its front leg and the vet examined only the back legs?

I am so sorry to hear about the diagnosis. If he is dragging his leg, I guess the problem is severe and does require a surgical repair. I don't know about Purina Joint and Mobility, but whichever food you decide to put him on, I do recommend adding joint supplements.

[Marlin&Me]

Wait wait, the dog was dragging its front leg and the vet examined only the back legs?

Not dragging his leg constantly--that would have raised immediate concern to me. It is hard to describe but my vet did examine both front and back legs. Only problem is he did not look at the front leg xray after taking it.

I am looking for supplements for Marlin. I don't think I need to change his food.

[smartrock]

I saw an ortho vet for my younger dog last year because of a limp. The story is a little convoluted, she ended up not getting surgery, but she did end up on supplements. My general vet and the orthopedic vet both recommended either Cosequin DS or Dasuquin, and the ortho vet specified it should be the type that includes MSM. The general vet also said give fish oil and Vitamin C, so I've been giving Grizzly Salmon Oil and Vitamin C also.

I asked the orthopedic vet about some of the other joint supplements by name. She said she recommends Dasuquin (or Cosequin DS) because research has been done to prove they contain what they claims to contain in the type most bioavailable for absorption, which I've read is a problem with many types of supplements, probiotics, and other nutraceuticals. She didn't say the others did not meet that standard, just that Dasuquin has been proven to and others have not, so that's what I've been using. I've also read that glucosamine and chondroitin have not been proven to do anything in multiple studies, yet the vets recommend it, so I give it.

Nutraceutical options for osteoarthritis in orthopedics and sports medicine | Orthopedics


The ortho vet also suggested I change foods and keep her skinny. I didn't change food either but I do keep her weight down.

I'm sorry your first vet screwed things up for you, that would be exceedingly aggravating. Good luck with the ongoing process.

[Marlin&Me]

I asked the orthopedic vet about some of the other joint supplements by name. She said she recommends Dasuquin (or Cosequin DS) because research has been done to prove they contain what they claims to contain in the type most bioavailable for absorption, which I've read is a problem with many types of supplements, probiotics, and other nutraceuticals. She didn't say the others did not meet that standard, just that Dasuquin has been proven to and others have not, so that's what I've been using. I've also read that glucosamine and chondroitin have not been proven to do anything in multiple studies, yet the vets recommend it, so I give it.

My vet said the same thing about Dasaquin - a Nutramax product. But I have also heard good things from members (at least Bett) about green lipid mussel being a good choice also.

How much vitamin C should I give Marlin. He is 60 lbs.

Thanks.

[BeataK]

I'm sorry to hear about diagnosis That's horrible when they are poorly.
I've fed Barney with Purina for a while but my vet told me that's pointless - it's better to use good quality food + supplements but Barney is allergic to many things so that Purina didn't really agree with him.

[smartrock]

My vet said the same thing about Dasaquin - a Nutramax product. But I have also heard good things from members (at least Bett) about green lipid mussel being a good choice also.

How much vitamin C should I give Marlin. He is 60 lbs.

Thanks.

Lark weighs about 67 pounds and she gets 500 mg Vit C per day. I think some on here might give 1000 mg/day and one guy who used to be on here said you can increase the dose until they start having diarrhea. I'm pretty sure 500 is what my vet initially recommended and Larky weighed 61 or 62 lb at that time.

I don't know a lot about green lipped mussel, I think it's got a different mechanism of action from Glucosamine and Chondroitin, so I'm thinking they could be given together. About the only thing I've read where they discuss it is the following, but I haven't really researched it. This guy says he recommends the Glycoflex brand. There are a few formulations of Glycoflex, the Glycoflex Classic contains only perna canaliculus (GLM). Glyco Flex 1,2, &3 contain the perna with differing additional ingredients, glucosamine, MSM, Vitamin C, etc but apparently no chondroitin. I think bett uses a different source/brand.

https://www.vetsportsmedicine.com/upload/OA-wp.pdf

[BaconsMom]

Sending healing thoughts for Marlin