Hi all, I am new on the site, and was wondering if anyone can help me with a problem. I have 2 Yellow Labradors, 1 aged 6 and 1 aged 4 years old. The 6 year old has for some time now been suffering with what appears to be Arthritis. I have had the Vet check him over, his 1st response was to prescribe Rymadil ( or Rimadyl ), which in a matter of a few days all but killed him. Checking on the internet I found lots of information that this is a dangerous drug for certain breeds, Labradors being one of them. I don't know what lasting damage this might have done, his blood test for his Liver function ? was sky high, it went back to a more normal reading after stopping the drug.

Anyway, the question is, has anyone got a more natural remedy to help ease his discomfort? He will happily swim in the lake or river, and hunt for his beloved tennis ball for a good long while. I have stopped throwing the ball for him as chasing at high speed was not recommended by the vet because of the strain it puts on his system. After his swim, and of course a good sleep, he struggles to walk sometimes, sometimes being a bit slow and sometimes really having difficulty in walking. I don't want to use prescription drugs if at all possible, so I am looking for natural type remedies. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks, kevin.

Hi joint supplements like glochostomin,and chloritin(excuse spelling)are good for easing movement and repairing damaged tissue,Also high strength cod liver oil.there are natural pain relief supplements for horses,devils claw herbal,being one,not sure about dogs though,cant see why not.

I have used the joint supplements ,first mentioned(wont try to spell again)with visable sucess with my old horse.

I also have 2 golden Labs both bitches , both about 17 months old , Daisy has been diagnosed with OCD in her elbow a type of cartiladge disorder that can later in life cause some arthritis , Our vet recommended Glucosamine and condroitin we give both dogs 1000 mgs a day in one tablet from a place called simply suplements on the web they are based in guernsey and deliver free usualy in about 5 working days they are much cheeper than high street shops and also do buy one get one free , !000 mgs is a safe dose to give labs , our vet also recommended greenliped muscle again this can be bought in a tablet form from the same place , Green lipped muscle is fantastic for joint problems as not only does it help strengthen bone and cartiladge but it has a natural anti inflamatory and pain killer.

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Thats where i get mine from,they offer a repeat order thingy aswell!

Bones contain high levels of glucosamine and chrondoitin, so if you feed raw you shouldn't need to supplement.

I do also feed raw and they get bone in thier minced meat and bones from pigs trotters and rib bones too , My realisation is that both our labs havnt come from very good stock and both i think will have joint issues so im trying to give them a foundation to make older age a little more easy . Raw feeding is very good Kevin if you can research it and find it would suit you to feed it doesnt take much as long as you have room for a second freezer to keep the food in lol .

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Hi all, thanks for the suggestions. We already give the big boy ( Harvey or H ) a joint supplement, chondroitin and glucosamine in tablet form. I don't like the idea of feeding raw, prefer the biscuits / kibble feed. I was really looking for any other supplement, maybe something natural. You never really know whether the chondroitin / glucosamine is working or not. I know, because I take it for myself for my mild Arthritis. Not the dogs tablets though, lol. Thanks for replying, kevin.

devils claw,is a good herbal pain relief supplement.

Dont bother with the dogs version of Glucosamine its not as strong as the human form and is loads more expensive , get 1000 mg from simply supplements on the net they do loads for joint care , ive just ordered shark fin cartilage and green lipped muscle to try on mine .

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