Help For Dogs With Hip Problems That Have Allergies

Q. My dog Pepper, a 16 year old mixed Black Labrador, suffers from a hip problem. Recently, she is taking Glyco-Flex III pills, but she throws up. She is allergic to shellfish and I learned that Glucosamine is sourced from the shells of shrimp, lobster, and crab. Can you recommend products without glucosamine?

A. Unfortunately, labs often have hip problems with age. She must have a pretty severe allergy to shellfish because most people with shellfish allergies can handle glucosamine just fine, unless their allergy is very severe.

Do you know if she can handle shark cartilage? If so, you might want to give this product a try:

DGP by American BioSciences. There are no crustaceans in this product and it is for joint pain, function and mobility, as many of the ingredients help reduce inflammation in joints, as well as other areas of the body.

• Give dogs one tablet for every 30 lbs. of body weight daily.

Also are you giving her fish oil or flaxseed oil? If not, you could also give her one of these oils mixed with her food:

Pet Cod Liver Oil. You might try this product if she tolerates fish.

Dogs

• 0–20 lbs. ........1/4 teaspoon
• 20–55 lbs........1/2 teaspoon
• over 55 lbs......1 teaspoon

Apply oil onto food, or serve by itself. Refrigerate after opening. Use within twelve (12) weeks of opening.

If she cannot tolerate fish, then give her Flaxseed oil.

• 1 Tbsp daily by itself or mix with food.

Another tip is to get unflavored gelatin from the grocery store and mix it with her
food. Gelatin also helps arthritic joints.

Can we give our dog PectaSol by EcoNugenics if he faces another cancer surgery?

Q. We have a dog who has had cancer and may need another operation in the near future. Can we give her PectaSol by EcoNugenics?

A. Yes, PectaSol has been used in animals safely and with good success. You may want to modify the dose to suit the weight of your dog. The adult dose is based on the average weight of 150 lbs human, yet using a higher dose has been found to be beneficial for both humans and animals. Animal trials use much higher doses than those recommended to humans, so I would err on the higher side.

Any recommendation for dog with Cushings Disease instead of usual strong chemo?

Q. My 6 year old dog was diagnosed with Cushings disease. Which products do you recommend for her? The condition involves too much cortisol either from a tumor in the pituitary or the adrenal gland, which in turn affects the liver (increased liver enzymes, swollen belly). The symptoms include increased thirst, urination, and panting. The traditional treatment involves a strong chemotherapy drug that destroys part of the adrenal gland.

A. For your dog, I recommend, Immuno Support for Pets by Rx Vitamins to aid in fighting the tumor, and Hepato Support for Pets

Is there any natural dog colitis product other than Flax/Evening Primrose & HLC?

Q. My dog has colitis that has worsened over the years despite treatment with flax oil, evening primrose oil, and probiotic. My vet put him on Tylosin, an animal GI antibiotic. Initially he improved, then symptoms returned. The vet started him on steroids. Are there any natural products I have overlooked?

A. Colitis is typically caused or aggravated by psychological disorders, such as anxiety, depression, etc. Are you aware of your dog suffering from anything like this? If so, your dog would benefit from NutriCalm, which contains nutrients and herbs for the mind.

Your dog should take Rx Biotic, which is an effective probiotic. Probiotics should always be part of your dog's treatment until completely healed, and since each probiotic blend is different, I recommend trying this one.

Also, your dog will benefit from NutriGest, which contains healing nutrients and herbs for the tummy, such as l-glutamine, aloe, licorice, and many more.

If you think your dog may be deficient in protein and/or B-vitamins, he would benefit from Liquid Amino B-plex. Since B-vitamins and protein are both vital for neurological health and healing, this could be a very helpful supplement for your dog.

Lastly, you dog needs to continue with an essential fatty acid, since colitis is a serious inflammatory disorder, and omega-3 provide some relief for inflammation. Why don't you try Cod Liver Oil? It contains vitamins A and D, both important for tissue repair. Also note that flax and evening of primrose are not a first choice for colitis, due to absorption issues and the wrong balance of omega-3 to omega-6.