Mac is an 8-year-old, slightly overweight Labrador. He has been a patient since he was 10 weeks old. Mac, like many Labs, suffers from a degenerative condition of his hips known as dysplasia. Dysplasia is a congenital defect in the hip joints. The hip is a ball and socket joint. Due to indiscriminate breeding, the ball often does not fit snugly in the socket, creating abnormal wear and causing calcium deposits to build up as the body tries to repair the damage. The result is a painful life-long abnormality of the joints. Treatment of this condition is often palliative, and anti-inflammatory drugs and pain medications are the most often prescribed. Recent uses of compounds to increase joint fluids or lubricants and repair cartilage damaged have been found to be effective in slowing down the progression of this disease. These compounds, chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate, are found in velvet antler. It is our opinion that the synergistic effect of these compounds and other healing factors found in velvet antler are much more effective than any of the compounds by themselves. 

For several years Mac has experienced abnormal gait and pain due to dysplasia, especially after prolonged exercise such as hunting or playing ball. He was radiographically diagnosed with grade II dysplasia and has been on various forms of treatment for several years. Use of velvet antler was explained to Mac’s owner in early 1998, and the owner elected to try the product.  

"I want Mac to enjoy the things he was bred to do, and that is a very active lifestyle. I am not comfortable with the pain medication and all of the side effects. If this stuff works and it is not harmful to him, I am all for it."  Mac was started on 900 mg of velvet antler daily for two weeks and then his dosage was lowered to 600 mg daily. He has remained pain free since starting on velvet antler, and his owner is extremely satisfied with the results.  He stated, "I did not notice an immediate response with the medicine. I just noticed that Mac’s limp was gone, and he did not ‘sore up’ after hard exercise. I can also tell when I forget to give him his pills. This is good stuff, and I recommend it to anyone who loves their pet."