GliderCENTRAL

glucosamine/chondroitin-any experience?

Posted By: Anonymous

glucosamine/chondroitin-any experience? - 10/27/08 05:08 PM

Lucky is my neutered male amputee -he's missing a hind leg and has VERY limited use of the other hind leg. The remaining hind leg knee seems to be locked in a bent position and is extremely weak. Of course he has adapted and gets around all over the cage, including the wheel, quite well and is basicly a little sweetheart. I took Lucky in last week for a well check and my vet suggested I start some physical therapy with him. She also suggested the use of glucosamine/chondroitin but wanted to do some more research before starting him on it. So today I get the med and will begin giving it to him tonight. We started the physical therapy last week which basicly is just me giving him massage on his lower region concentrating on the area where his remaining leg is twice a day for 10-15 minutes and gently working the knee a tiny bit. He has very degenerative muscles in his hind area and we are hoping that the combination of the extra stimulation along with the drug will enhance his mobility over time and allow him to have a bit more use and strength in that leg. Anyone have any experience with using a supplement of this type with a suggie? Anyone used physical therapy and seen any benefits in any way? I have to say he wasn't too crazy about the massage at all the first couple days but seems to be actually starting to enjoy it now. My vet says when she consulted w/other vets no one else voiced any experience but there was a lot of interest and total agreement that nothing in the supplement should harm him in any way.
Posted By: KattyM

Re: glucosamine/chondroitin-any experience? - 10/27/08 10:29 PM

The gentle physical therapy seems like it might help. Well, massages sure seem like a good thing!

I don't know about offering the supplement. I'd be concerned about the dosage, even if the supplement is not harmful. dunno
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: glucosamine/chondroitin-any experience? - 10/28/08 12:57 AM

It's a very small dosage that she calculated and I'm mixing it with blueberry activia-one of his favs. Tonight was the first dose and he happily licked it all up clap
Posted By: Jackie_Chans_Mom

Re: glucosamine/chondroitin-any experience? - 10/28/08 01:35 AM

Originally Posted By: glidernanny
Anyone used physical therapy and seen any benefits in any way?



I have been doing physical therapy on several gliders for years. YES there are benefits. I have done it on Jackie Chan every day since he came to live with me.

I know that there are some in the community using Glucosamine/Chondrotin with their gliders. One in particular has a glider with osteoarthritis of both back hips and has been using it daily.
Posted By: glidrz5

Re: glucosamine/chondroitin-any experience? - 10/28/08 12:19 PM

You may also want to talk with LSardou about magnetic therapy. It may help as well.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: glucosamine/chondroitin-any experience? - 10/28/08 02:22 PM

Originally Posted By: glidrz5
You may also want to talk with LSardou about magnetic therapy. It may help as well.


I got him Bourbon's Therapeutic Custom Cruiser-is there more magnetic therapy options available?
Posted By: ValkyrieMome

Re: glucosamine/chondroitin-any experience? - 10/28/08 02:37 PM

I haven't used Glucosamine-Condroitin with gliders. But - after the experience I had with my arthritic sheltie, my *dad* started taking it! (There is actually a third component - MSM) My holistic aunt, who was taking shark's cartilage started taking the Glucosamine/Condroitin/MSM pills, too!

I credit those pills with literally extending my dog's life. He had extremely crippling arthritis at a young age (a side effect of Lyme's Disease ... frown ) He couldn't walk up and down the 5 stairs required to get out of my house, and once he was lying down, he's struggle to get back up. The first few years of giving him that, he was able to run and play again - a little stiffly, but ... still! It was about 4 years into taking it that he was once more unable to get up and down the stairs. And another year before he couldn't really move much at all.

I would gladly do a commercial for the stuff! I've never seen such tangible results!

But ... for a glider ... you'd have to work with your vet!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: glucosamine/chondroitin-any experience? - 10/28/08 02:54 PM

Well we (me and the vet) aren't expecting any short term miracles as we understand the success with other species has not been instant but more of a long term difference. If I can work with him with the therapy and the supplement and give him more strength and some added mobility for even a limited part of the rest of his life then I'll feel I've loved him the way he deserves. I suffer from a couple different chronic pain conditions and know how grateful I am to have a day with mild to no pain so I'm hoping I can offer him some of the same. I was amazed at the low cost of the meds-got enough for his treatment for 80+ weeks for $42 so if 50 cents a week and half an hour a day can improve his quality of life then I will be vigilante in doing all I can for him. Thank you Alden for sharing your positive experience, it's a bit unnerving venturing into uncharted territory so to speak. I'm soooo glad you were able to make such an improvement in your sheltie's quality of life for so long. Anyone who deals with chronic pain can testify that 4 years of improved living is a miracle in itself.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: glucosamine/chondroitin-any experience? - 10/28/08 06:59 PM

Just for the record, glucosamine/chondroitin is not a 'cure' for anything. It's intended use is to PREVENT on going damage to joints. It's not going to reverse any damage, but it may increase comfort, allowing more mobility.

I've been taking glucosamine since I was about 16 (I'm 23 now) and I can tell it helps. I have a bad knee and I haven't had a bad flair up since I've been taking it, but sometimes I forgot and I feel the difference... So, it does help.
© 2024 GliderCENTRAL