Dog Arthritis Glucosamine – How to Treat Arthritis in Shih Tzu

The word arthritis comes from the Greek word “Arthon” and is used to describe an inflammation of joints due to several causes, some being infection, metabolic, or genetically inherited causes. Humans are not the only ones who experience arthritis problems. Just like humans, dogs can also develop arthritis problems as they age. Arthritis in dogs is a health condition that can affect a variety of different breeds – including the shih tzu.

It is considered a very serious health issue that needs to be addressed by shih tzu owners and should not be ignored. Many shih tzus, especially the elderly suffer from arthritis. Development disorders such as Hip Dysplasia can bring on early arthritis even in young shih tzus. Arthritis affects a shih tzu’s joints like the spine, hips, knees, and elbows.

When my friend’s shih tzu began to act like an old dog, my vet suggested I look into dog arthritis glucosamine. I’ve heard of glucosamine, but that was in regard to people, not shih tzus. Can it really help shih tzus that are suffering from arthritis and joint pain?

Symptoms of Arthritis in Shih Tzus

My friend’s dog was 8 when he started to act like an old dog. He has always been somewhat reserved, dignified, but he started to walk very slowly, gingerly, as though he was having a tough time taking each step.

Climbing stairs seemed to be hard for him, too. He normally followed my friend down into the basement, but lately he started to sit at the top of the stairs and wait for his human to come back up. Instead of exploring the yard while my friend hung his laundry on the clothesline, the dog would lay down in the cool grass and watch him.

Then he began to lay down in the bathroom. This was odd because he doesn’t like baths, and normally he stays far away from the bathtub! Plus, there are no windows in the bathroom – it’s dark in there. He always liked to stay close to the french doors in the dining area, because he could watch out the windows for errant squirrels and other intruders who don’t belong in his yard.

When mi friend told the vet about this, he asked what kind of floor was in the bathroom. I told him it was ceramic tile – and he said that was the answer. The dog’s joints were aching, and the cool tile floor soothed the pain.

For Dog Arthritis, Glucosamine Has Been the Answer for Many

Arthritis is caused by a number of factors. The term “arthritis” actually covers more than 100 different joint pain conditions. It can be that the joint is inflamed, or infection, or the cartilage between bones wearing away and more.

Where the problem is cartilage wear, glucosamine for shih tzus may be the answer. Where bones meet, say in a hip socket or knee socket, there is a layer of cartilage that acts like a shock absorber between the bones.

However, as we and our shih tzus age, that cartilage can wear away, leaving the bones rubbing against each other without any padding. That pain can be intense, as anyone who is a candidate for a knee or hip replacement can tell you.

Humans and canines produce glucosamine in the body naturally, but the aging process also causes glucosamine production to drop off. The good news is that glucosamine is cheap and easy to obtain. It’s made from crustacean shells, and since the crustaceans are normally the valued part of the crop, the shells are typically thrown away, meaning that dog arthritis glucosamine supplements can be relatively inexpensive.

Types of Dog Arthritis Glucosamine

There are 4 types of glucosamine, but the two most effective are Glucosamine Sulfate and Glucosamine Hydrochloride or HCL.

If your shih tzu’s arthritis pain is caused by wearing of the cartilage between bones, then you’ll want to start supplementing with glucosamine as soon as possible. You’ll need to give this supplement for the rest of your shih tzu’s life since your pet’s body is no longer providing the needed levels of glucosamine.

Glucosamine supplements can encourage the cartilage to regenerate, but it won’t completely solve his joint pain problem. If you stop supplementing, you’ll see a return of arthritis symptoms.

How Do You Give Your Shih Tzu Arthritis Glucosamine?

Glucosamine for shih tzus comes in pills that are swallowed, chewable tablets and liquids. Of course, if your pet takes pills well, then that may be the best solution for you. My friend’s dog, however, does not like pills, so we decided to try liquid and chewables.

Some shih tzus are happy with chewables, thinking they are treats, but the dog would have none of that. The other alternative is the pour-on, which we poured over his dinner at night. That worked well for us, he cleaned it up right away.

We started to notice an improvement about 5 days after his first supplement. Two weeks later, he was back to his old self, jumping into the truck to check out the cows and running up and down the basement stairs after me. What a joy it was to see him feeling good again!

The good news is that glucosamine supplements for shih tzus typically work that quickly, with most shih tzu owners noticing results within 10 days to 2 weeks.

What Dosage of Shih Tzu Arthritis Glucosamine is Best?

Watch the product bottles carefully, since they may list dosages that are hard to compare. For example, one bottle may list 100 pills while another may list 16 ounces. One website suggested that you think about the dosage in terms of one day. How much will your shih tzu need for one day’s treatment?

A good rule of thumb to start is 750 mg of either Glucosamine Sulfate or Glucosamine Hydrochloride per 50 pounds of your shih tzu’s weight. Many veterinarians report that doubling the shih tzu arthritis glucosamine supplement to start for 1-2 weeks is beneficial, and can “jump start” your pet’s recovery. And of course, make sure to discuss any medication or supplement with your vet before starting any new regimen for your shih tzu.

Are There Any Side Effects to Glucosamine for Shih Tzus?

A few side effects have been noted by some pet owners, including vomiting and diarrhea. Some shih tzus will seem drowsy or experience a lack of appetite, but these symptoms appear to be rare. Reducing the dosage for a short while seems to alleviate these side effects.

Many shih tzu owners reported that their shih tzus seemed to experience these side effects for just a short time as their bodies adjusted to the supplement. You may want to try a different form of glucosamine if one form seems to present side effects.

If you’ve “jump started” your pet’s dosage to 2x, as recommended earlier, and you notice vomiting or diarrhea, back off to the normal dosage. It is highly unlikely to overdose your pet on shih tzu arthritis glucosamine.

The good news is that once we started the dog on his glucosamine supplement, almost immediately we noticed him feeling and acting more like his old active self. He’s 9 years old now, but you wouldn’t know it! My friend was so glad that we discovered shih tzu arthritis glucosamine.