Pre & Post Joint Surgery Tips

I was recently asked this question via email. Hopefully some of my other blog readers dealing with a dog preparing, undergoing, or rehabing from surgery can benefit from some of these helpful tips.

Question: "My Brittany is getting ready to have hip relocation surgery. Do you have any diet recommendations for joint healing?"

Having your faithful hunting companion and best bud go "under the knife" is a stressful situation for both of you!

Response: If your Brit is in good overall health going into the surgery I recommend the dog staying on the same diet. I believe stress from a food change close to surgery could put undue strain on your dogs immune system, which needs to be at full strength to devote to the overall healing process. Even if your current dog food does contain some Glucosamine/Chondroitin. I would add at minimum 750mg per 50lbs of dog per day of a liquid Gluc/MSM/Chon supplement. Nutri Vet makes a great product and the dog gets the most bang for your buck! Liquid supplements are the best bet because dogs digest and metabolize liquids much more completely than pill form supplements. Liquid can be poured over his regular food making it very easy to administer. The natural anti-inflammatory properties of this formula will help dramatically in the healing process and help to lubricate/condition the ligaments and tendons post surgery as well as slow down degenerative issues that will certainly arise in the future.

The biggest post op concern is proper rehabilitation. Take it extremely slow. Even when you think(and the dog acts like) he or she is totally healed they probably are not. Dogs have a way of masking still nagging injuries. It is during this time they are most likely to injure another joint because they are favoring the injury or possibly re-aggravating the surgically repaired joint. The next biggest post op concern is the dog putting on weight following surgery due to inactivity. Be VERY watchful of food ration/portion size and limit treats to those very low in calories. I recommend high protein/low cal treats like pure dried meats(chicken, duck, buffalo) that are packed with nutrients to help in muscle/tendon/ligament development.

Water based physical therapy is low impact and increases the chances of the joint healing correctly. Seek out a clinic that offers it!

I hope these suggestions help. As always, listen to what your vet has to say and follow their advice close. They will have the hands-on experience of seeing exactly what is best for your dog. But always be open to second opinions. Just like human surgery...this is serious business!
Best of luck out there. -Mark

Nutritional "Dog Smoothie" Supplements

Every once in awhile a company comes along who; breaks the mold, raises the bar, thinks outside the box, etc...or any of the other hundreds of cliches to elaborately describe innovative ideas. This particular company has done just such...


They call themselves Ubuntu.

Ubuntu has created one of the coolest, most unique, and functional line of dog treats on the market today. They offer a natural ingredient dog treat "smoothie" fortified with supplements each formulated specifically for either Hip and Joint care, Digestive care, or Skin and Coat care. Each vitamin/nutrient supplement smoothies comes in a four pack of single serving 3.5oz. cups. Basically, they are a Banana/Peanut Butter flavored treats that closely resembles a kid's Jello pudding cup but for dogs. In addition to a tasty treat, Ubuntu "SMART PUP" line is PACKED with high levels of canine nutritional fortification.

We will let information from their website fill in the rest of the science:

SMART PUP Skin & Coat is specially formulated to keep dogs looking and feeling their absolute best. This treat provides the essential Omega-3 fatty acids dogs need for healthier skin and shinier coats. We use salmon and cold water fish oils formulated to provide over 300% more absorbable Omega-3 than leading dry treats. Many dry treats use botanical sources of Omega-3, like flaxseed oil to boost their claims, but dogs can’t metabolize flaxseed nearly as well. SMART PUP Skin & Coat smoothie treats are a great tasting way to deliver meaningful benefits to your dog everyday.

SMART PUP Digestive Health makes everything that dogs eat better for them. The combination of probiotic cultures and prebiotic fiber in our delicious, all-natural treats stimulate the good bacteria in your pup’s intestinal tract. This, in turn, promotes better digestion and nutrient absorption, alleviates intestinal upset and helps strengthen your dog’s immune system. Plus, a touch of ginger helps stimulate appetite in older dogs. SMART PUP Digestive Health smoothie treats are a great tasting way to deliver real benefits to your dog everyday.

SMART PUP Hip & Joint is more than just a delicious, all-natural treat for your dog. Through our exclusive formulation, each treat provides your dog with 600mg of liquid glucosamine to promote optimal joint health. SMART PUP Hip & Joint smoothie treats are a great tasting and effective way to deliver meaningful joint relief to your dog everyday. The Power of Liquid Glucosamine – Studies show that only 10-20% of vitamins and minerals in dry form are actually absorbed by a dog’s body, compared to nearly 100% when in liquid form.



My 4 year old pointer, Dewey has fallen in love with them! The first time I brought a sample home to try he literally did a back flip in my kitchen when I tore the cover off.  He licked the cup clean in under a minute. To know he was getting 600mg of highly digestible Glucosamine in each serving of something he thought was a treat made me one very satisfied dog owner. Over the past two months I have used the Hip and Joint cups as part of Dewey's post hunt recovery and prehunt prep. I have noticed an overall improvement in his recovery time and an increase in his stamina in the field. Although Dewey does not suffer from chronic joint pain,  Glucosamine is a powerful anti-inflammatory nutrient that helps aid in the nourishment of dogs muscles, joints, tendons, and cartilage. Although I have only tested the Hip and Joint smoothies, it is highly probable that their other products are equally effective. Ubuntu Smart Dog Treats are available at your local PETCO store now! The best part is they are very affordable. I urge you all to give your dog a shot at them! You will not be let down and neither will your four legged hunting companion!

Best of luck out there. -Mark