Should I Use a Dog Joint Supplement

by Lucy
(Suffolk )

I have a seven year old Jack Russell (true mix, some parson and norfolk in there). She is a quiet dog but loves walks and would normally happily go for about 5 miles each day, plus lots of rabbit chasing.

In the past week she has been quite stiff on her right front leg. This walks off with gentle exercise (no long walks) and is improving so believe she has pulled something. I am keen to assist her in any way I can and have been recommended Cortaflex.

I have just been looking at the canine version but wonder if I were to take her to the vets they would point me in a different direction?

Many thanks

Lucy

Vet Suggestion regarding Cortaflex and other Dog Joint Supplements

Hi Lucy,

I think you are on the right track with your Jack Russell. It is certainly possible that she just “tweaked” something on one of her walks and a little bit of exercise restriction (e.g., leash walks only) and time will do the trick.

A joint supplement like Cortaflex would certainly not do her any harm and could speed/improve her healing. I have had good luck with a product called Dasuquin, but there seems to be a lot of individual variation as to which joint supplement works best for which individual.

I would caution you, however, that if her condition doesn’t improve as expected (think of how you’d heal if you had a sprained ankle), get her in to your veterinarian for evaluation. At her age, she may be developing arthritis or another musculoskeletal disease.

Good luck,

Jennifer Coates, DVM