I'm sorry about this but it sounds like the supplement will help...Yes I think we all have these fears.

The supplement sure does sound like it will help. I already had a fear of my boys growing up too fast. This kind of adds to that fear. All I can do is make them comfortable, safe and happy through that process:)

I'm really sorry, Karen. My first Yorkie had terrible problems with her knees, so when we got our other three we were probably a bit too overprotective with them regarding limiting jumping. However, we didn't restrict other activity, and I think all of the swimming and walking really built up their muscles and knees a lot. Ashley at almost seventeen was still walking two or more miles a day, and although she had some arthritis and her knees would sometimes slip, they were still very strong. I think Cooper's exercise (minus the jumping except into his pool) is probably good for him, and the Cosequin also sounds like a great idea.

Uni has Grade 2 in both legs, but only once did I catch her lifting her leg, which was after a day running in the sand at the beach. She wouldn't walk after that for a day, that's how I found out. I started her on Cosequin then and had her on it for years, but I stopped giving them, as I didn't feel her knees popping in and out any less. So for about a year now of her not being on them, she still hasn't lifted or favored a leg.

Scraps on the other hand, I will start him on them and see if there is any improvement. He walks with a noticable limp and favors his right leg, even when he goes to lay down you can tell his left knee bothers him. :(

Hi Karen :) Your thread caught my eye, as we have recently had similar news :sad: Only Abi is a stage III. Firstly, I want to say I think you're fortunate to have a wise vet. What kind of diet "change" did she recommend, and why do you decline? Is Cooper overweight? If so, I'm sure she told you that any extra weight will be detrimental in this case. I will say that Abi was a hefty 10lbs when she was most symptomatic. We cut back her portions, and she is now between 7.5 and 8lbs; which I will also state I'm NOT entirely happy about. I can feel every rib and vertebrae. I know she shouldn't be 10lbs for her knees; but, honestly, she looked much better. She is rather long for a yorkie, at 11" from neck base to tail base.

I, too, am blessed with a wise vet who sent us to an even wiser surgeon for consult. We went in expecting a surgery date for sure; and was pleasantly surprised when she said "no, not yet". The surgeon said she has patients with stage III & IV on whom she has not done surgery, because they are not symptomatic enough to interfere with thier quality of life. Also adding that she's had some stage Ones where she found surgery necessary because the dog was in pain every day. She treats the dog/case; not the book case LP.

We watch Abi to be sure her knees are not locking. We do not restrict her play activities. I, too, was worried about even walking her! She's only had one incident in the past few months (since seeing the surgeon) where one knee locked, and she hobbled to me for help :cry:. I was able to massage the muscle around it and relax the knee back into place. If this continues regularly, we will, most likely, be looking at surgery.

Then, there's the friend whose dog had LP so badly he chased the mailman on three legs. But...he did not seem to be in pain, and his vet told my friend to NEVER let anyone perform this surgery on her pets. It ofttimes does not work.

So, I guess we are still left with our gut instincts. Best wishes to Cooper, and I wouldn't worry unless this begins to impede his ADLs (activities of daily living)

Thank you Lisa. I'll continue making sure Cooper gets good exercise.

I'm really glad that Uni is doing well. I guess I'll try Cosequin and have no idea if it works since I've never seen a symptom. Sorry about Scraps:(

Cooper is a lean 10 pounds. The vet suggested a Science Diet joint formula. I am a big fan of Science Diet, however after speaking with the vet I learned that several of the ingredients in the specialized dog food are the same as Cosequin. She was concerned that Cosequin is expensive and thought it would be more affordable to just change the food. She's right, however I'm really happy with Cooper's diet habits as he's had lots of tummy problems in the past and doesn't any longer.

Sorry you've had similar news with Abi. It sounds like you have a really good head about the whole thing.

I have no experience with lp either, but I did want to send out hugs to your little sweetie! So sorry you are going through this. I hope the supplement helps.

I don't have any experience with LP or any advice, but wanted to say I'm sorry :(

what kind of cosequin did u get?:confused:

Wishing the best for Cooper to stay symptom free:)

Karen, I hope the cosequin does the trick for Cooper and trying to get him not to jump. He has no symptoms so that is good as he isn't in any discomfort. You have a vet who seems to be on top of things which is really good! My best wishes to you and Cooper.

Karen, Jada is a grade 3 in both back knees. I have been using Cosequin for over a year now. I was using Dasaquin and it worked too, but I changed over to the Cosequin because she has never displayed symptoms other than I can feel the knees popping at times when I pick her up.
I can say that with either of the two joint meds I have tried...when I am using them I don't feel her knee popping as often.

Sorry you have bad news about Coop dog :(

I have had Sugar on Cosequin for about 6 months now. I can tell a big difference in how "stiff" her hips are when she is walking. If I miss a few days she goes right back to moving slow and walking stiff legged. I feel a little difference in the "crunch", but it never has gone away completely, even with Cosequin.

My Jilly had a low grade of this but the vets thought it wasn't bad enough to operate. She never got a catch in it or favored it but I did my best to limit her jumping and playing roughly or running for too long at any one session. I never taught her any tricks such as Tibbe does because of it for fear she might do something during the performance of those tricks when she was trying to please by doing the trick. I would not allow her to jump off of the couch or bed or anything like that if I could help it - but she did sometimes when she heard a noise or something and I always panicked when she did. I provided her steps for getting off of high things like couches/beds but I often lifted her down from most places as much as possible to lessen her jumping even on the doggy stairs. I didn't ever have to give her medication for it so don't have any doggy experience with that drug you mentioned(can't remember how to spell it) but it helped me personally when I first got hip problems. It helped a lot.

Am sure sorry to hear sweet Cooper has this but hopefully with careful living, surgery can be avoided.

My Rubin is 9, he has grade 2 in two knees and has never limped or showed pain. He runs, play ball and gets up and down on the sofa. He is not over weight 6 1/2 pounds at his heaviest. I use glucosmine for my own aches and pains and I think it helps me. So I don't know about glucosmine being a placebo. If it is it works on dogs too LOL. Rubyboy has been on it for years and I think it is worth trying. Having bred Labs I have studied and read tons about hip and knee problems. I believe in testing of course, but sometimes bad knees happen in lines that have been problem free for generations. I no longer bred or train Labs but, have dear friends that do. They think Cosequin is a wonder drug too. I hope your little Cooper stays active and pain free.