A Question for Dog Owners

[Karma]

I've heard of people giving garlic to dogs to ward of parasites before, I had no idea it could cause anemia

[Ratfinkz]

Disagree Ellen, we RAW feed ours too and and thby have garlic once or twice a week - when we found out it could be dangerous so we asked our vet and were told small amounts of Garlic Powder (a small sprinkle) a few times a weeks would be fine for them.

Karma do you mind if I post your original post on a dog group I'm on on Facebook (for competitive obedience) and are fab at advice like this

[Karma]

Feel free, I don't do facebook!

[Ellen]

I'm only telling you what my vet, who I have a lot of respect for told me.
And it does make more logical sense, a poison is a poison, something that is poisonous in large quantities , I don't see how it can be good for you in small quantities either. Might not do you much harm in small quantities, but it's still harmful.
Plenty of people give their dogs chocolate, each to their own. I thought I should mention what I was told before people reading this thread thought its a good idea to start self-dosing their dogs

[Peter]

Sept 24, 2012 17:40:13 GMT Ellen said:

Sorry but it's just not true that garlic or onion are safe for dogs even in small quantities, they can cause severe anaemia in dogs, and if you're regularly giving them small doses you are putting them at greater risk than an occasional cheese & onion pie

Sorry but I don't agree ellen,

There's lots of evidence for it and lots of evidence against it.

I certainly would never give plain onion to my dogs but I

personally think garlic "in very small doses" has medical benefits.

[matty198111]

Our dogs have fenugreek powder to keep the parasites away
Also helps keep fresh breath

[Ellen]

I'm not getting into a big debate with you all, think its only fair that both sides of the argument are covered is all, was only passing on what my vet told me. Feed your dogs what you want....geez

[Deleted]

our little "George" terrier cross has had to live most of his life on metacam thank god for insurance he is twelve now
he also take the joint supplement Seraquin
www.animeddirect.co.uk/cats/healthcare/ageing/seraquin-tablets-for-cats-and-small-dogs-800mg-x-60.html
broken up and put into his diet of JD light buiscuits and a quarter tin of ceasers
as he has had arthritis and a dodgy hip since being a puppy

[Ratfinkz]

Ellen, I wasnt having a go at you hon - there is LOTS of conflicting advice out there and I too have a hell of a lot of faith in my vet - so much so we travel 30-40 minutes to see him lol!!!! Happy not to get into a debate about it but as I believe it has health benefits its only fair for people to see both sides and then hopefully go off and do their own research (so important in deciding how to feed what you decide is the healthiest meal for them).

Karma will post and get back to you

[Pam O]

For a dog that age metacam really is the most effective pain relief for joints, once you get a handle on the pain you can gradually reduce the dose to just enough to make the dog comfortable. For a younger dog the supplements might be worth trying but it is very hit and miss.
Even though the vets do charge £10 for a script the fact that you can buy 6 months worth at a time you will save money, especially if you shop around on the online vet pharmacies.
By reducing the dose and still getting a new script every 6 months it means there is always extra available for acute injuries...always handy in this house with 9 dogs most of them oldies
Pam

[Karma]

Yes, Pam I was thinking that if i got a private prescription I could bulk buy. Not sure how it would work though as I was told today that if my dog needs this long term he'll need regular blood tests? So I presume that I wouldn't be given a prescription for a large amount?

[Pam O]

Hmmmmm blood tests for an 11 year old??? Might be worth finding out how frequently they would feel the need to do the blood tests, it might only be every 6 months as long as his organs were holding up ok.

With my vets it is usually me taking a dog in and telling them what I reckon is wrong with them and what treatment I do and do not want But then I have spent £1000's with them over the past 10 years and they know I know what I am talking about. Barney who we lost at the weekend was on thyroid medication for years, they had to see him every 6 months for the script but didn't insist on the blood tests to check his levels as his condition and health hadn't changed at all.
Pam

[Ratfinkz]

replies from facebook Karma -


Julie West Yumove tablets seem to give some relief from stiffness in older dogs
about an hour ago · Like

Michelle Torlot i have used seraquin its not a pain killer but can help stiffness and contains curcumin which is a natural anti-inflamatory
about an hour ago · Like

Sue Elliott yumove is good i have my puppy on it
53 minutes ago · Like

Margo Brothwell Acupuncure can give very god results
41 minutes ago · Like

Hannah Winship My 7 year old Rottie has just started on Yumove for his stiff shoulders and elbows, he would yelp if he turned too quickly, after the first week on double the dose he seems to be doing alot better and seems to be in less pain
35 minutes ago · Like

Claire North Big vote for yumove here! My little collies on it, shes had both cruciates done, it made a huge difference to her!!
24 minutes ago via mobile · Like

Sarah Nash thats fab thanks - where can he get yumove from?
3 minutes ago · Like

Hannah Winship www.lintbells.com/products/yumove
2 minutes ago · Like

Claire North I get mine off amazon, cheapest I've found I pay around £35 for 300 tabs :-) if you email the company direct they did used to send a free sample to try!
2 minutes ago via mobile · Like

Sarah Nash Thats fantastic thank you

[booblay]

My dog has arthritis in her wrist (do dog's have wrists?)

i give her seraquin every day. it's glucosamine and chon - however you spell that other one that's good for joints. it was recommended by my vet, who reckons you should avoid getting any cheapy alternatives....it cost around 40 quid a pack at my vets. So I get it online for £15, and it lasts me a month.

might look in to this sardine thing though.

[jayjay]

I think you need to be carefull of anything you (or your vet) gives your dog. I'm unsure what metacam is like now. But 5 or 6 years ago it could be deadly in a small percentage of dogs. It had some pretty horrific reviews when I googled it. The vet didnt make us aware at the time.