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Glucosamine and Chondroitin sulfate used in a normal dog will postpone the effects of arthritis in both humans and dogs (cats too). There are no side effects to the administration of these in a healthy animal and benefits cannot be measured (for that matter G & CS are building blocks of the bladder and will help some cases of chronic urinary tract infections). Fish oil/flax oil (omega 3 fatty acids) are good for eyesight, immune system, and the skin and have been used in conjunction with antihistamines and found to be effective in the treatment of atopy in over half the cases. I take both G/CS and omega 3 fatty acid tablets myself; the benefits outweigh the downside of waiting for the downside and experiencing it. Omega 3 fatty acids are helpful in staving off artheriosclerosis and are excellent for the immune system and the skin.

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate brands are universally the same and must follow the FDA guidelines for mg per tablet. Cosequin is the brand name for veterinary use that is the most reliable however it is the most expensive. I recommend to my clients to go to Wal Mart and buy their name brands which is half to one-third the cost.

Thank you so much for your fantastic response to my questions. I truly appreciate it.

I will go to Walmart-and I will buy their brands. What do you think of Vit C additive-yeah or nay. And do you give your dog, if you have one, fish oil?

Doc-our Bernese is a gem. Our fist Bernese died at age five from liver cancer they believe was either induced from the steroids she took in a concentrated amount because she has such a serious joint problem she refused to move (wanted to die-I am certain. We drove three hours to take her to a clinic in Columbus that specializes in cancers and other serious diseases-she stayed there two separate times-our final cost was over $5000.00 dollars. When they first biopsied her front leg joints-the fluid in the joints was like water. The Vet explained to us that it should be of a consistency that would allow them to stretch it out for several feet...in a string. The steroids helped, she started to recover, then the liver cancer took over. We wondered if the cancer may have started from a Lyme vac series we had her take upon moving back to the states. I guess we will never know if it was that or the steroids treatment. It took us two years to recover from this gentle, loving dogs death. Prior we had had two mutts who both lived to be seventeen years of age....we were not used to an animal dying so young.

This current Bernese Mtn Dog is wonderfully healthy and alert. At 16 months of age-I don't want to load her up on additives that might do more harm than good, nor do I want to simply make for expensive pet urine. On the other hand, I would LOVE to provide her with a diet that helps her immune system to fight off the ravages of arthritis and other auto-immune diseases.

If she were yours-exactly what would you be feeding her. Many thanks-and I promise not to bug you ever again....well....maybe just a little! LOL