Overhaulin'

Serious question - help with osteoarthritis in lab?

Its a long story but basically Ive taken on a 5 yr old lab x golden who was obese and stuffed with biscuits and cakes!!. Over 4 months Ive worked with him and got his weight down from 94lb to 85lb and its ongoing. He has had intermittent lameness over the last few wks and has been diagnosed today with mild OA. I'm now overhaulin his diet to get the rest of the weight off but obviously can't run him when he is lame. My question is for those dog owners who have experienced this condition. I would love some advice on how u deal with it? Im considering Glucosamine supplements but is there anything esle I can do? He is on Royal Canin Obesity management at mo. Would a raw meat diet help instead? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Public Comments

1. I have 3 yellow labs myself, and my Zoey was having trouble with her weight, I was able to get it under control by switching her over to a rice and lamb food and by slowly cutting back the amount I was giving her until she was down to 2 1/4 cups of food each day. She also has problems with lameness but that is due to an injury she sustained when she was younger and out rough housing with her two sisters. The best thing you can do for the pain is on the days that it seems to be really bad is give your dog 1 and only 1 regular strength aspirin. No more than 1 in a 24 hour period, and no baby aspirin or extra strength as they have additives in them.
2. Congratulations on getting the weight down and I'd keep up with that until he's in ideal body condition. See the chart below to help determine what that is. As you know excess weight only makes the stress on the joints greater. As far as glucosamine goes the latest research (see link below) shows that it is not any better than placebo in large clinical trials done on people. There are no large clinical trials published in peer reviewed journals documenting effectiveness of glucosamine in dogs with OA. There are encouraging results from certain omega three fatty acids however. Certain omega three fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and may be helpful with joint inflammation. You can put fish oil capsules in your pets food. Most of them will eat them readily and there are few if any adverse side effects. There are even some Veterinary pet foods with omega three fatty acids for dogs with OA that you might consider once you have the weight off. I'll link to one below.
3. I have a 12 year old sheltie and he gets a glucosamine/chondrotin pill very morning when I take mine. I would not say it is a huge difference- but a small definite improvement for sure. He likes them, thinks they are treats and I have been doing this for 3 years with no ill effects. My vet thinks it is fine. You might want to give it a try.
4. Talk to your vet about this. My previous GSD had arthritis in the center of his back and we had no choice but pain meds. for him. Glucosamine won't hurt so try it after you talk to your vet. I would NOT give him any aspirin, only if your vet says it is ok to do so. Hopefully your vet can help. The weight loss will help some.