April 19, 2011

Do you have any advice regarding spondylosis?

Full Question:
Hello,

I bought your training videos and several other items over the years and you gave me great advice for my Max(a pup at that time) and it worked out great. It was greatly appreciated. I have recommended and have been visiting your website ever since.

Now that my Max is getting up in age(9 years old), his vet found some evidence of spondylosis on his rear spine. Vet said no need for meds at this time since it's still a mild case and the dog is walking and running fine with no apparent discomfort or pain.

Do you have any advice regarding this condition? I give him 15-20 minute daily walks along with his usual ball fetching and training. I know it's a genetic predisposition and mostly due to age but was wondering with your expert experience, if you have dealt with this condition in one of your dogs. I want to provide him with the best quality of life possible for the time he has left.

Thanks,
Tino
Cindy
Cindy Cindy's Answer:
I’d recommend a high quality GRAIN FREE diet, with raw being preferred. A proper diet can do wonders for a dog’s overall health. If he’s on commercial kibble, you may want to look into upgrading his food. If he’s already on a raw diet, that’s great. We have a great section on feeding dogs on the website.

All of our older dogs get the following supplements for joint support and to ease the discomfort of the inevitable arthritis they all seem to experience. I’m not a fan of the meds that most vets prescribe for dogs for any kind for joint/pain/arthritis issues. The damage the NSAIDS can do is (in many cases) not worth the benefit. We go a more natural route for boosting the system and relieving soreness.

Syn-Flex
Salmon Oil
Vitamin E
Soothe Joints

Swimming is great exercise, as well as finding a facility that has an underwater treadmill for dogs. I’m rehabbing one of my dogs using hydrotherapy right now and it’s helped him a LOT.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Rhodes

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