Post by caz2golden on Oct 13, 2018 13:02:40 GMT
I have probably asked this like a 1000 times!! (but it has come around again)
As you know Gypsy has joint issues but also now thought to have chronic pancreatitis.
*She has the standard sort of joint care (at the moment using Riaflex joint plus and Riaflex green lipped mussel). I also sometimes give trachea or jointed raw meaty bones which naturally contain the chemicals that are in joint supplements.
*As part of her raw diet I give oily fish (things like sprats, sardines, mackerel etc). I have tried omega 3 capsules but they upset her system. As to if this is linked to it being processed or concentrated I do not know but I do link her not being able to have the capsules or liquid oils to her pancreatic issues.
*She is having laser therapy to help with joints
Aim is to try and put off needing NSAIDs for as long as possible as in past the ones she has had did not suit her (turns her poo violent orange colour).
The one thing I would love to try with her is turmeric. Usually this is by making golden paste.
I hear of so many people as well as pets that benefit from having it.
But..... due to being prone to pancreatic issues is it really a good idea to add a fat source to her diet?
The active chemical in turmeric (Curcumin) is not naturally bio-available unless there is a source of fat and piperine. Piperine is in black pepper. The fat bit is usually provided by coconut oil.
This is where I sit down and can not convince myself what is best!
Coconut oil is over 80% saturated fat and has omega 6 oils rather than omega 3. So many posts on facebook and articles online imply as coconut oil is made up of medium chain triglycerides (most oils contain long chain triglycerides) that these are processed differently to other oils and so are fine for pancreatic prone dogs. To be honest have no idea about medium chain triglycerides! I admit I only know basics i.e saturated fat, omega oils etc! I have seen articles by respected people such as Karen Becker which suggest caution in regard to adding coconut oil to diet of dog with pancreatic issues. I have asked online about using other oils but all comments say to use coconut oil.
I have tried the dorwest turmeric supplement tablets. This supplement does not contain any added oils, with theory that the fat in the dogs diet is enough to boost the effect of the tablet.
I took Gypsy off them after a few upset tummies (unsure if it was supplement related or not as other dogs happened to have dodgy bellies at similar times) and as it left specks of orange in her poo which made me think she was not getting full benefit from them.
Not to waste them recently I have been giving them to Phoebe only to find she also does the speckled poo and asking online other people are finding the same when they give them to their dogs. Still unsure if that means they are not fully digesting the pills but it is not linked to Gypsy and her digestion.
What I am less certain about in regard to this product is that it contains a few chemicals to as such hold pill together / produce which some would say should be avoided (Calcium phosphate tribasic, Magnesium stearate).
The one upside of the tablets is no mess or staining!
Is the fat in a dogs diet enough to boost the effect of the turmeric or do you have to have a separate oil source. If the extra oil is not really needed then I could have a go at making the paste without adding the oil.
On a total side note.....
Phoebe last year at this time of year was suffering badly with hotspots. She is as ever itchy, but touching wood fast, so far we are surviving without one forming. I can not say this is as a result of being on the daily turmeric tablets as she is getting other supplements a few times a week as nutritional boosts in the form of rosehip powder, dog greens and smartbarf.
(just via facebook!!) 
