How to Give a Dog Glucosamine as a Preventative
Veterinarians recommend glucosamine, a primary ingredient in the process through which the body maintains joint cartilage, as a preventative and treatment for hip dysplasia. With hip dysplasia, the cartilage of the joint wears away and causes pain when bone rubs against bone. Any dog can develop hip dysplasia, but large breeds in particular develop this problem. These include German shepherds, Labradors, Rottweilers, Great Danes, Golden retrievers and Saint Bernards. If your dog is at a higher risk, consider using glucosamine supplements as a preventative measure.
Instructions
-
-
1
Select a glucosamine product for your dog. Ensure that a GMP-certified facility produced the product and that it is glucosamine HCI or glucosamine sulfate.
-
2
Measure 750 mg of glucosamine per every 50 pounds of your dog's body weight. For example, if your dog weighs 75 pounds, give your dog 1,125 mg of glucosamine per day. Your veterinarian may recommend doubling the standard dose for your dog during the first two to three weeks of administration, if you dog is already suffering from hip dysplasia.
-
-
3
Administer the glucosamine by pouring the liquid form into the dog's food. If you administer the glucosamine in pill form, roll the pill in peanut butter and offer it to your dog as a treat.
-
4
Administer the medication every day as a preventative. If your dog presently suffers from hip dysplasia, you may not see results for 10 to 30 days after beginning the supplement.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Many veterinarians and pet guardians find it even more effective to combine chondroitin with glucosamine as a treatment and preventative for hip dysplasia. Carrying extra weight will add to your dog's risk of developing hip dysplasia. Help your dog maintain a healthy weight by providing proper nutrition and exercise.
No serious side effects have been noted in dogs receiving glucosamine supplements. Occasionally, a dog will vomit or have diarrhea after beginning the supplement. If this occurs, lower the dosage to a level the dog can tolerate.
References
More Like This
Comments
-
If your dog is over 7, I would consider adding some glucosomine pill (powder) to their food..We feed our Shepherd Eukanuba and Nutro also (in past), but that may not be enough if your dog is in the risk pool. Our POOR Shepherd Gino has Hip Dysplasia (we found out Yesterday) It's in beginning stages, but he has arthritis in hip and back mildly too..:(
