New member with bone question
 

Hi everyone! I'm new here, my yorkie's name is Valentino and he will b 1 yr old Xmas day!!! I have learned so much from you all and enjoy absorbing the wealth of information this forum has to offer. I have a question that hopefully you guys can help me out with. Everytime Valentino gets up from a nap his knees crack when he jumps onto the sofa his knee cracks, when he stretches his knee cracks. I really can't tell if its just one knee or both. His last vet visit was back in October, he had an eye infection. I asked the vet to check his knees because of this and he checked both knees and said he didn't feel anything and that they were both fine. He mentioned small dogs were prone to LP ( something I already knew from reading up on YT) but that Valentino was ok. I asked if I should give him a joint supplement but he said not to worry about it for now. How can I not worry?! The sound of his bones cracking freaks me out! Idk if he's in pain he doesn't favor one leg over the other but I still worry. Sorry this is so long. Basically my question is, is this normal? Should I look for a second opinion? Should I start him on a joint supplement? Any feedback would b appreciated. Thanks guys!!!

I can understand your concern! Hearing your baby's bones crack and creak can be unnerving! Your vet said he did not feel anything going on now, but based on his advise to you, he is opting for crisis management rather than crisis prevention! I personally do not like to wait until stuff starts to malfunction or fall apart....if there is an option that can be utilized that may help delay or prevent the onset of an issue, I opt for that course of action. I like Cosequin for joint health. I can testify to the wonderful results achieved using this medication....and several of my dogs have been on it for over 6 years, every day, with no intolerance or adverse reactions to the medication. Crickette is so used to seeing me open that capsule and sprinkle the white powder across the top of her food, if I put her food down without the Cosequin sprinkled across it, she stands over her bowl and stares at me, then the food, then me....she knows it is missing from her bowl.... I would start joint supplementation before your baby develops pain in his joints....crisis prevention started early! You are also going to have to try to keep him from jumping on and off furniture, as that is really tough on those little joints.

I have no knowledge of dog's knees but I can tell you from a personal side.. If they are doing the cracking noise now then YES I would start doing Cosequin just to be on the safe side. Even if it is nothing now it is not going to hurt and it will prevent for the future.

Welcome to YorkieTalk! I would definitely start using a joint supplement.

Thanks for your responses. I went out and bought Nutramax Pet Cosequin DS plus MSM. Are you familiar with this brand? is this a good brand? The instructions say to give 1/2 a pill daily for dogs weighing up to 15lbs. Valentino is only 5lbs, should I give him 1/4 a pill instead of half or the half pill like it states?

I posted a reply but for some reason it didn't show up. Thanks for your replies. I went out and bought Nutramax Pet Cosequin DS Plus MSM. Have any of you guys heard of this brand? Is it a good brand? The instructions say to give 1/2 a pill for dogs up to 15lbs. Valentino is only 5lbs should I give him 1/4 a pill instead of 1/2 or should I do the 1/2 pill like it states?

My dog has severe grade IV LPs in both legs. She was born that way and at age 2 had surgery on one leg when she was completely lame. I don't use a supplement for her. She is 12 now and there is no arthritis in her legs as evidenced by her xray images. I think cosequin could help in some cases, but I certainly saved more money over 12 years not giving it. BTW, if I were going to use a supplement, Cosequin DS is the only supplement I would use and is the only supplement that the orthopedic surgeon who worked on my other dog suggests.