Background: My 4yr old 95lb GSD started waking up with stiffness on the side he slept on. Our vet gave us these horrible smelling Dasuquin tablets. Stiffness went away, but he started to get allergies and diarrhea, so I checked the bottle, and it has brewer’s yeast, gum, tea, a load of artificial flavorings, and several questionable substances. The fine print says that the amount of chondroitin is based on the aqueous solution so the amount may not be accurate. It’s 900mg glucosamine, 800mg msm, and "350"mg chondroitin. Our vet isn’t much help because he wants to keep him on the dasuquin brand, but even the dog will avoid the pill when I put it in his food (he’ll eat around the crushed pieces if he can, or will spit them out).
*My first question is can it be done? I know the GNC Glucosamine is safe, but the Chondoritin is a little more iffy (has soy and shrimp). Neither has yeast, or anything artificial.
*What dosages should I be using? The Glucosamine I can get in the same concentration, but I can only find a minimum of 400mg Chondroitin. Will that be okay (that’s if that’s safe to begin with)?
*Should I keep him on MSM? (Ingredients are safe)
*Should I add in Salmon Oil? I know some use it for dogs, my mom personally uses it and it works wonders for her. Would it help his joints stay in better condition? We walk pretty far and are hoping to start hiking in early November (yay Texas heat!)
I know it’s a ton of questions, but I’m hoping someone will be able to help. He’s happier without the stiffness, but the ingredients of the dasuquin worry me. The combo from GNC would be more natural and I think it’d be better for him not to itch and have loose stool.
