Does DDog need supplements?

[TinyMouseTheatre]

Was told this week that DDog probably has osteoaethritis.

They did ask us at the appointment if we wanted to ask anything and my mind went blank. She's gone from doing king walks and enjoying them to not really wanting to walk in a short space of time.

So those who know about dogs and joints, what do you recommend?

Riaflex Canine HA and Green Lipped Mussel

or

Antinol

Has you dog been put on pain meds?

Acupuncture was brilliant for my old pup, our vets did regular appointments for a few years and it can be tailored to level of pain/where the pain is. Regular appointments every month or so, covered by insurance thankfully. Could really see the difference straight away.

These are enabling my dog to do without hardcore painkillers altogether. I only tried them in desperation when the Onsior stopped working and the vet said she had to have a week's gap before starting something else. They made such a difference in a week that I've kept on with them.
www.vincethevet.co.uk/joint-health

Arthritis is painful. Did your vet not offer you NSAIDS/pain relief? IMO it’s the only fair option, alongside a supplement if you like.

She had an injection of Librela and was given Metacam. We go back in 4 weeks for another Librela injection.

Sorry, I should have made that clear in my original post.

I was just really asking about additional joint supplements

@Leonberger excellent point and thank you, but we've subsequently trialed various painkillers and they don't make any discernible difference to her activity or demeanor. I'm reluctant to give her anything long term just in case, as she has stage 1 kidney disease as well. She's 14 so it's a case of managing her remaining years the best I can and accepting that there's probably not a 'right' thing to do, just a 'least bad' thing.

Can I ask what the HA is? Mine is on the green lipped mussel.

@DustyLee123 HA stands for Hyaluronic Acid. The full name of the product is Canine Joint Plus HA and it's made by a company called Riaflex. I have used it with mine, difficult to tell how effective it is, but the company does have a good reputation for making good supplements.

@TinyMouseTheatre I know you're asking about supplements but Librela and Metacam for "probably has osteoarthritis" sounds like the vet's gone nuclear to me. There's clearly something wrong and if a dog needs painkillers and they work and are tolerated then I am all for it. I'd want to have x-rays to find out if it is arthritis, and how advanced, or something else. You don't say how old your dog is btw?
I say this in hindsight, my dog was put on Librela as a first option. I've since taken her off it as it's such a new drug and the side effects so unknown. I know some people have had some really good results with it but I I don't think it helped her at all. She got stomach upset with NSAIDS which I tried after Librela.
She's on supplements now and massage and heat pad and exercise modification. There's loads of info on CAM. If you decide to use a product from Riaflex, the woman who runs it is happy to have answer questions too.

She was not walking as much, quite reluctant and she did have a thorough examination by a final year Vet and a qualified Vet.

I was a bit surprised by the whole thing if I'm honest but she has another injection in 4 weeks and then a Consultation in 8 when I can ask more questions.

They said that one of her joints was a "bit crunchy".

It was the same with me. It's not the vet's fault, they've only got 10mins or so, but it's just all so quick and you can't take it in, never mind make a decision.
A bit crunchy sounds like the joints need lubrication and supplements might well help with that. But there's likely wear there so they can only do so much.
A consultation in 8 weeks sounds like a good plan and gives you time to do some research and monitor your dog so you know what to ask the vet. Good luck.

It's actually a teaching Bets do she was assessed for about 20 minutes with the Student Vet, then she went to discuss DDog with the Vet, then they both came back and the Vet examined DDog so I was in there for quite a while

@TinyMouseTheatre Well clearly it was longer than 10mins then but the student vet is assessing your dog more for their benefit than your dogs. I'm not trying to be critical of your vet/student vet or your choice of practice, just giving my experience in case it helps. I'm not sure it is so as I've I said, good luck.

Canine Joint Plus HA has Glucosamine, MSM, Hyaluronic Acid, Manganese and vitamin E in it.

All recommended for joint health.

I like riaflex as it has a high concentration and no nasty fillers like some of the joint aid products.