Quote: Brian Pelfrey

He weighs 95 - 100 lbs. He just turned one five days ago.

Glucosamine Supplement:
http://www.petco.com/product/111154/NaturVet-Joint-Health-Time-Release-Level-3-Supreme-Hip-and-Joint-Supplement-for-Dogs.aspx

Fish Oil:
http://www.walgreens.com/store/catalog/Supplements/Odorless-Fish-Oil-1000-mg-Dietary-Supplement-Softgels/ID=prod1341752-product?V=G&ec=frgl_&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=sku1341742

2. I probably wouldn't buy a fish oil that didn't tell me the EPA and DHA content. Here's their label:
http://www.naturesbounty.com/VF/LABELS/L003848-NB.PDF

I'd probably call that M-F phone number over on the left there and get that info.

2. With a dog over about 30 pounds, I'd probably skip gelcaps entirely because of the number of them you need to give, and get liquid. If you do get liquid, be sure to store it carefully. (Gelcaps in general are of course far more expensive than liquid.)

3. I see only 60 U of Vitamin E on the glucosamine label.

For this size dog, I would give about 10 grams (about two measuring teaspoons) of fish oil a day and about 400 to 600 IU of natural Vitamin E, preferably with mixed tocopherols, but at least d-alpha as opposed to dl-alpha. (The glucosamine label does indicate d-alpha ---- just not enough.)

He started on Adequan injections today. The vet did the first shot, and I'll do the rest. I'm going to do the four week protocol, giving two shots per week for a total of eight. The vet said the shots could be either subcutaneous, or in the muscle, so I'm going with subcutaneous.

I give about 10 of the glucosamine supplement pills each day, so he's theoretically getting about 600 IU of Vitamin E. But, I think I'll pick up some human grade Vit. E with tocopherols just to be on the safe side.

Maybe the supplements are beginning to kick in. Even with the road trip to the vet's office, he's had more energy today than in the last couple of months. It will be interesting to see how this loading dose of Adequan effects him over the next month. I'll keep you updated.

"It will be interesting to see how this loading dose of Adequan effects him over the next month. I'll keep you updated."

Please do!

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

.... Also soft tissue structures will calcify, become visible on xray and could change the radiographic appearance of the joint. E.G. eating a young fried chicken you notice that the ends of the bones are soft, you can bite into them easily--- a young dog's bones are soft too, and soft can be invisible on Xray--can make the ends of 2 bones look far apart,when actually they are close together, but both ends are partially invisible.

This is a terrific explanation.

It's been a little over a month since beginning the adequan injections. I completed the eight shots over four weeks protocol. I saw no change at all for the first two weeks, and then: The limp began to noticeable improve. His energy level went up, which has been difficult to manage since I don't want him to re-injure the hip, and he just seems to feel better.

We also own horses, and some of our friends with experience with adequan-equine have said that it typically takes the loading dose, as well as one or two of the following monthly shots to see a major improvement.

I've been consistent with the supplements. It's been about six weeks since beginning the Glyco/chond/fish oil/Ester C/Vit E. I feel like a pharmacist at feeding time.

So - I think that the prognosis is good. It's going to take some time to build up the muscle in his right leg. Favoring it for several months has caused a bit of atrophy around the hip joint.

I'm pleased with the results of the adequan so far (other than the price - for his weight it averages about $30 dollars per shot).

I'll do the first monthly injection in about three more weeks and we will see where we are at that point.

Thanks everyone, B

I'm just reading this now, and from what I read about the accident and post treatment it sounds more like the dog got a cruciate ligament injury which would respond, if not torn, just injured, with the adequan or legend injections and rest. Adequan is used extensively in performance horses and has become standard protocol for soft tissue injuries due to injury or stress, such as reining, cutting, stock horses as well as jumpers, hunters, race horses, etc. It is very common to have a dog have this type of injury even chasing a ball and twisting wrong. Glad you found this treatment. I have used it even in goats with arthritis issues. Good luck and just introduce exercise slowly and consistently.

 Quote: Lynne Peck

I'm just reading this now, and from what I read about the accident and post treatment it sounds more like the dog got a cruciate ligament injury

Thanks Lynne. Just curious, what makes you think that it was a cruciate injury rather than a hip injury?

because it's getting better with the adequan - which is a soft tissue/joint fluid therapy medication and the way you described the injury. Look up the cruciate injury on peteducation.com. I have had a lot of experience seeing it and assistng treatment. I worked small animal and equine veterinary for well over 20 years and always worked for specialists. The biggest treatment for this is rest. If the ligament actually teas, the only recourse is surgery to the tune of $800 to $2000 plus 6 months rest and rehab. The dogs will limp around and toe touch but will never actually put full weight on that leg. You might also want to try using a hyluronic acid oral supplement - this helps to lubricate the joints. If it were a bone issue you would be able to see it on xray - there would be some sort of brusing or denseness issue on the views. JMO

After much research, I think Lynne is right, and this was a cruciate injury the whole time. I administered the 2nd monthly injection of Adequan yesterday. So, he's had the 30 day loading dose and two monthly injections. In the last few weeks the injury seems to have plateaued, no better, no worse. Most people would not notice the limp, but when he stands still, the right paw still toe touches sometimes. It's obviously not a cruciate rupture (my research indicates that if it was he could put any weight on the leg) but it's likely a cruciate strain.

I made the decision about a week ago to bring his crate back out of the attic, and I'm keeping him restricted and on the leash at all times. He just gets short bathroom breaks, then back inside on his bed, or in the crate. It's a royal pain for all involved, but he's handling it pretty well. I'll evaluate this conservative management approach after a few weeks. I also upped his Ester C from 4,000mg to 5,000 mg a day.

BP