After reading an article in the most-excellent Tuft’s publication, Your Dog, I decided to put Xena on a new food that’s designed to help dogs with arthritis. It’s called Hill’s Prescription Diet Canine J/D.
Xena had gotten to the point where she really was hobbling after our weekend walks at the lake. It appeared to be arthritis setting in, and it was really painful to watch. Rimadyl was helping, but it really didn’t seem like the right long-term fix.
Then I read the Your Dog article, where a letter writer claimed she moved her dog to the J/D food and saw a miraculous improvement. Though dubious, I decided to give it a shot, and it’s working. Xena’s on her third bag, and she has improved considerably. But it’s not cheap.
That’s my main complaint. Hill’s has set this up as a prescription food, which means you can only get it from a veterinarian. The only reason I can see for this is so they can mark it up considerably, which is pretty cheesy. But it does seem to work so I’m paying the price.
Also, I highly recommend the Your Dog newsletter. Lots of great tips in there for dog owners, and it’s put out by a veterinary school, so it’s not full of fluff.
One reply on “For folks with creaky old dogs …”
Flannery has been on Science Diet Canine C/D (for persistent urinary tract infections/bladder crystals) for over 2 years. It’s worked, but it’s a pain. I stop by Bluegrass Animal Hospital (near work) every couple of months for a huge bag, even though that’s not where my vet is. Then, we have to go to Earth Fare for equally expensive food for our dog with allergies…ugh