As much as I hate to admit this, my chocolate Labrador Winnie (our first child, named after Winnie Cooper of the Wonder Years), is almost 7. She had a clean bill of health in her registered pedigree. She hasn't shown any bad signs yet of joint issues, but I've noticed that she is a little stiff after a day of lots of balls/dummies/swimming/etc. Looking for recommendations of a good joint/whatever supplement/vitamin for her. She's got another 7-8 years in her since I'm an optimist and that's my little girl, but I want her to be happy and pain free.

I have labs that do hunting competitions that are 8-12 years old still competing and running 200 yard marks. I use Glycoflex 3 and EicosaDerm Oil as supplements for everyone. I have started using Librela in the double digit dogs. Definitely recommend starting the supplements early!

I have a hundred-pounder with hip dysplasia. Right now he's on carprofen, adequan and dasaquin?
Anything I could change or tips?

Unfortunately there aren't a lot of well planned clinical trials w joint supplements that use a double-blinded study design (control and treatment are randomized amongst enrolled animals and owner and caregiver don't know what group they are in) and non-biased outcome measures. That's the study design that is needed to prove efficacy.

Without that you are left with something called caregiver effect/bias. Mike Conzemius' group described this in small animal orthopedics. It's basically the placebo effect for pet owners. Just because there is a perception of improvement doesn't mean there is actual improvement. And vets are just as susceptible to it as clients are. We use this often in our teaching rounds with the veterinary students.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23113523/

OP, you would need to look for a study that showed supplement x is superior to placebo using that study design to find the answer you are looking for. Unfortunately those studies are very very sparse and companies don't want to fund them because they often show no improvement over control, and that won't sell product. It's the unpleasant reality of joint supplements in small animal medicine and humans too, but I'll stay in my lane. They are not FDA regulated as they are considered neutraceuticals.

A few years ago I had a 70 lb lab mix. He was about 10 years old when he tore an ACL. Our vet recommended surgery but we were concerned that he was too old for that. This is what cured him and it only took a few weeks.

Our lab mix has had pretty bad arthritis since he had surgery at 3yrs.

He was on a maintenance dose of Rimadyl for a few years and this combo allowed him to go off. He hasn't limped for the last 4 years despite being older.

https://a.co/d/4M5C6XA

https://a.co/d/eHg6TPU

Two of those are FDA approved drugs, one is a supplement/neutraceutical. There is much stronger evidence for the 2 drugs.

I'm not a joint supplement guy but some of my associates are. I used to prescribe one of the name brand supplements which was a little pricey and only about 30% of my clients thought it worked so I quit prescribing it. I have a hard time prescribing meds that are pricey and don't help 70% of my clients. I love Adequan injection... works about 80% of the time.

I took omega threes for my own knee and couldn't tell if they worked... they did cause my blood not to clot very well and caused skin bruising so I stopped using them. I used a therapeutic laser on my own knee. Again couldn't tell that it worked.

For dogs I like NSAIDs, Adequan and Librela.

For my own knee... stationary bike, jump rope and Hungarian spilt squats.

Great info. Really appreciate your continued knowledgeable post all the time. We are blessed to have you on the OB. I, for one, really appreciate your unbiased and no nonsense information that you always give us on the OB.
And yes…. Seems there is endless supplements for anything and everything…. And no way to know if they really work or not.

Would what Maroon Spirit is using, in your professional opinion be good for her as well.
TIA sir.

Gunny - thanks for the kind words. I feel the same way about you and boats. As a first time boat owner your posts are always very insightful and informative. Would enjoy spending a day on the water with you some day.

I can't give specific treatment recommendations without consulting with their primary DVM or doing an exam of my own.

Speaking in general terms, using an NSAID like rimadyl, adequan (a PS-GAG), weight loss, plus minus a joint supplement (buyer beware - see post above) are the mainstays of non surgical treatment.

We have several very effective surgical treatments for dysplasia, with hip replacement being the gold standard.

Medical vs surgical treatment choices can both be effective, so I discuss pros and cons of each and let the pet owner make an informed decision. While medicine can help, it is usually life long and additive (have to add more as disease worsens and meds are less effective) and not without complications. Costs to treat a dog for 10-12 years actually exceeds total hip replacement substantially when you consider all the months and years of the medications.

Would be glad to help your family and their dog either via consult with their DVM (if interested) or a consult/visit at the small animal hospital.

I would be absolutely honored to spend a day on the water with you. Would be great to have some good times.
Will reach out about the dog also.
There are not words to properly thank you.

Not a vet, but we give our 13 year old spaniel mix these.

VetIQ 5-in-One Supplement for Dogs, Supports Hip & Joint, Urinary Tract, Immune System, Skin Health and Heart Health, Soft Chews, Made in The USA, 60 Count

Don't know if they do anything, however she is in great shape and everyone thinks she is a puppy.

I get them at Sam's. They are relatively inexpensive and she likes them. She is very picky about treats (since you have a lab, that is probably not an issue)

My 9 year old Chocolate Lab is on this. My vet recommended it and he hasn't been gimpy since. He is 106#. Big dog. We walk several miles a day on my farm. Good luck.

I've found Adequan to be a good "supplement", that makes a difference.

That's because it's an FDA labeled drug!

Why not Dasuquin?