Standard Process Canine Musculoskeletal Support: A Holistic Veterinarian’s Therapeutic Review

In my years of practice, I have encountered numerous cases of pets, especially dogs and cats, suffering from musculoskeletal issues. Initially, my go-to recommendations were products containing glucosamine, like Cosequin and Dasuquin, and a fair amount of NSAIDs. However, the results were often underwhelming – mild pain relief but negligible healing or strengthening.

Additionally, cats, with their sensitive systems, presented an even greater challenge. Legal and physiological constraints limited the use of conventional medications, leaving me and many of my peers in a quandary.

I delved into extensive research and astonishingly discovered a plethora of studies that highlight the efficacy of certain foods and supplements in enhancing musculoskeletal health. This revelation starkly contrasted the education I received in vet school, which narrowly confined its focus to conventional medications.

My exploration into the world of nutraceuticals was exhaustive. I was particularly influenced by Sally Fallon’s Nourishing Traditions, a comprehensive guide that underscored the healing prowess of proteins, collagens, and bone broths. This knowledge was transformative, marking the onset of my advocacy for nutritional healing for pets.

Standard Process Musculoskeletal Support emerged as a game-changer. The blend of proteins, collagens, cartilage, natural source minerals, and potent herbs offered a holistic approach to combating musculoskeletal diseases. The results were palpable. My own dogs exhibited significant improvement within two weeks of administration. The decline in their health during a brief period of non-usage accentuated the product’s efficacy.

This supplement has not only been instrumental in the recovery of dogs but has also proven effective for cats, showcasing its versatility. From alleviating severe arthritis in older dogs to aiding the recovery of a Swimmers Syndrome puppy and an injured chicken, the healing spectrum of Standard Process Musculoskeletal Support is broad and undeniable.

joint support for dogs

The following information is a summary and review based on Dr. Candy’s professional experience and recommendations. Any summary or statement has not been provided nor influenced by the manufacturer.

Common Signs That Your Dog May Benefit from Standard Process Canine Musculoskeletal Support:

  • Decreased Activity: A noticeable reduction in energy levels or enthusiasm for play and exercise.
  • Unwillingness to Use Stairs: Hesitation or refusal to climb up or down the stairs, indicating possible joint pain or discomfort.
  • Limping/Lameness: An uneven gait or difficulty walking, often a sign of pain or injury.
  • Falling or Wobbliness: A lack of balance or stability, indicating weakness or joint issues.
  • Weakness: Generalized or localized muscle weakness affecting mobility.
  • Shaking Muscles: Trembling or shaking, often indicative of pain or muscle weakness.
  • Panting After Mild Exercise: Unusual or excessive panting indicating pain or discomfort during physical activity.
  • Hot, Swollen Joints: Visible inflammation or warmth in the joints, a common sign of arthritis or joint infection.
  • Repetitive Licking of the Joint Area: An attempt to soothe irritated or painful joints.
  • Lax Tendons or “Dropped Hocks”: Weakness or laxity in tendons, leading to abnormal positioning of the legs.
  • Muscle Loss: A noticeable reduction in muscle mass, often associated with decreased activity or underlying health issues.
  • Irritability When Playing: Unusual aggression or irritability, often a response to pain experienced during physical activity.
  • Pain After Grooming: Discomfort or sensitivity to touch after grooming sessions.
  • Eating Things Like Dirt or Grass: Unusual eating habits, often a sign of nutritional deficiencies or gastrointestinal issues.
  • Poor Hair Coat/Excessive Shedding: Deterioration in the quality of the coat, often linked to nutritional deficiencies or underlying health issues.
  • Slow to Stand Up: Difficulty or hesitation in rising from a sitting or lying position, indicative of joint pain or muscle weakness.
  • Creaks or Cracks When They Rise or Move: Audible sounds from the joints during movement, often associated with arthritis or joint issues.
  • Back Pain: Signs of discomfort or pain in the back area, indicating potential spinal or muscular issues.
standard process canine musculoskeletal support

Common Signs That Your Cat May Benefit from Standard Process Canine Musculoskeletal Support:

  • Less Ability to Jump Up: A noticeable decrease in your cat’s ability to jump onto higher surfaces, indicating potential joint or muscle issues.
  • Changes in Where They Spend Time: Alterations in their favorite spots or avoidance of previous areas, often due to discomfort or pain.
  • Going to the Bathroom Outside the Box: A sign of potential discomfort or pain associated with using the litter box.
  • Staying Indoors: A reduced desire to venture outside, often linked to decreased mobility or pain.
  • Hiding: Increased reclusiveness or hiding, indicative of pain or discomfort.
  • Not Wanting to be Touched: Aversion to physical contact, often a sign of pain or sensitivity in certain areas.
  • Swelling of Muscles or Joints: Visible inflammation indicating potential arthritis, injury, or infection.
  • Licking or Biting Out Hair: A self-soothing behavior often associated with areas of pain or discomfort.
  • Getting Picked on by Other Pets: Vulnerability due to decreased mobility or weakness, leading to increased bullying by other pets.
  • Unwillingness to Jump Down: Hesitation or refusal to jump down from heights, indicative of joint pain or muscle weakness.
  • Weight Loss/Weight Gain: Fluctuations in weight often associated with decreased activity, pain, or underlying health issues.
joint support for cats

Canine Musculoskeletal Support Suggested Uses:

  • Athletic & Agility Dogs: Enhances muscle strength, joint flexibility, and overall physical performance for increased agility and endurance.
  • Hip Dysplasia: Provides support for joint health and mobility, alleviating discomfort associated with hip dysplasia.
  • Fractures/Sprains: Aids in the healing process, promoting bone strength and tissue repair.
  • Arthritis: Offers relief from inflammation and pain, improving joint function and comfort.
  • Large & Giant Breed Dog Growth: Supports healthy bone and joint development, reducing the risk of musculoskeletal issues.
  • Older Pets: Enhances mobility and alleviates age-related joint and muscle issues, promoting overall well-being.
  • Urinary Incontinence: Supports bladder health and control, reducing incidents of incontinence.
  • ACL/MCL Ligament Injuries: Aids in the recovery and strengthening of injured ligaments, promoting joint stability.
  • IVDD/Intervertebral Disc Disease: Provides support for spinal health, alleviating pain and improving mobility.
  • Trauma or Injury: Supports the healing process, promoting tissue repair and reducing inflammation.
  • Hunting/Sport Dogs: Enhances physical performance, endurance, and recovery for optimal functionality.
  • Amputations: Supports recovery and adaptation, promoting balance and mobility.
  • Heart Weakness: Enhances circulatory health, supporting overall cardiovascular function.

More Information about Canine Musculoskeletal Support:

Ingredients: Amount per ¼ tsp. (600 mg):
Indian frankincense (Boswellia serrata) extract                                   191 mg
New Zealand green mussel (Perna canaliculus) (shellfish)                 161 mg
Manganese (Mn Lactate)                                                                     0.18 mg
Proprietary Blend                                                                               245mg
Bovine liver, veal bone PMG™ extract, organic beet (root), bovine trachea, bovine heart PMG™ extract, organic shiitake mushroom powder, organic reishi mushroom powder, and magnesium lactate.

Individual Ingredient Benefits of Standard Process Musculoskeletal Support

Veal Bone PMG™ ExtractIt supports bone marrow health and improves the production of red and white blood cells. It also supports collagen production, as well as the repair of other connective tissues. Additionally, it helps power the infection-fighting white blood cells called neutrophils.
Indian frankincense (Boswellia serrata)This calms inflammation and pain as effectively as NSAIDs and significantly reduces arthritis. It protects healthy cells located close to an injured area. It can also help prevent autoimmune reactions and has been proven to slow the growth of certain tumors.
Bovine TracheaAn excellent source of glucosamine, which helps heal joint cartilage. It is also an anti-inflammatory and anti-aging. It goes into repairing tendons, ligaments, and broken bones. It also helps produce joint fluid.
Bovine Heart PMG™ ExtractSupports optimal heart muscle oxygenation and repair. Improves circulation, provides electrolytes and balances electrophysiology.
Green-lipped Mussel (Perna canaliculus)(Shellfish)This has been used as a natural treatment for osteoarthritis by cultures around the world. It blocks COX-1 and COX-2 inflammatory pathways like NSAIDs. It also improves mobility and reduces joint pain.
Bovine LiverThis boosts the health of liver cells and improves detoxification pathways. It contains great levels of iron, magnesium, and phosphorus. It also provides vitamin A complex, antioxidants, and vitamin B complex.
Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus)This reduces oxygen-free radicals and decreases inflammation. It improves cellular machinery function and boosts the immune system. It is also an anti-viral and balances stress hormones.
Manganese LactateRecently, large deficiencies of manganese has been detected in American soils and foods. There are suspicions that manganese deficiency is contributing to the increased frequency of ligament tears such as ACL/MCL. This combats muscle and joint pain. It also balances blood sugar and hormones.
Beet Leaf JuiceBeet leaf juice is named by some as a top 20 healthiest food of all time. It has been used for thousands of years. It is extremely high in iron and a huge source of vitamin A.
MushroomThese are packed with antioxidants, providing whole vitamin C complex and protecting delicate tissues while also boosting the immune system. It also contains tyrosinase, which speeds healing.
Dicalcium PhosphateDicalcium phosphate is necessary for the contracture of muscles. It aids in muscle growth and decreases daily wear and tear on muscles.

Canine Musculoskeletal Support Complementary Supplements:

Important Mineral Measurements (Per 1/4 tsp):

  • Indian frankincense (Boswellia serrata) extract                                  191 mg
  • New Zealand green mussel (Perna canaliculus) (shellfish)                 161 mg
  • Manganese (Mn Lactate)                                                                    0.18 mg

Supplement Dosing Chart:

1-10 lbs1/8 teaspoon once per day
11-20 lbs1/8 teaspoon twice per day
21-40 lbs¼ teaspoon twice per day
41-60 lbs½ teaspoon twice per day
61-80 lbs¾ teaspoon twice per day
> 80 lbs1 teaspoon twice per day

Important Supplement Information:

  • These supplements should all be given twice a day.
  • Most clients sprinkle it on their pet’s food.
  • Because these supplements are made from whole foods, and not chemicals, doses are highly palatable.  In fact, it often seems like animals instinctively know what their body needs and gobble it up quickly.

When beginning supplementation, I recommend the following taper-up process. This is only because these ingredients are so nutrient-dense. We can decrease your pet’s adjustment period, which may result in a soft stool. This adjustment phase is generally 1-2 days long and normal consistency of stool will return to normal without treatment.

  • WEEK 1                1/8 teaspoon
  • WEEK 2                ¼ teaspoon
  • WEEK 3                ½ teaspoon
  • WEEK 4                1 teaspoon

Once you get to your pet’s maintenance dose, based on the dosage chart, continue at this dose.

For example: If your pet weighs 35 lbs –

  • WEEK 1                1/8 teaspoon
  • WEEK 2                ¼ teaspoon
  • WEEK 3                Stay at ¼ teaspoon as a maintenance therapeutic dose

Supplement Size Variations

SizeProduct ID#
120gA1760
30gA1710

Side Effect of Standard Process Canine Musculoskeletal Support

Since these nutritional supplements are made from food, there is little to no risk of side effects. The only side effect I’ve ever seen is diarrhea if the pet gets a gigantic dose. For example, if a pet eats a whole bottle. If I had a dollar for every time one of my pets ate a whole bottle, I’d have a pretty full piggy bank. Since pets love these products so much, we recommend keeping them in a cabinet or someplace that your pet cannot get to.

How do I order Standard Process Supplements? 

Ordering Standard Process supplements online is simple and secure.  Dr. Candy Akers has an authorized premier practitioner account.  You can buy all of your favorite products online, with no exam, consultation or approval required.

Check out the store below and be sure to bookmark the page so you can come back any time!

buy standard process online

Have More Questions about Standard Process Supplements?

Click here to check out our commonly asked questions about Standard Process Supplements and how to administer them to your pet.

A Note From the Manufacturer: 

buy standard process online

“Canine and Feline Musculoskeletal Support is designed to provide support for the patient with inflammatory joint conditions like osteoarthritis. In addition, support is provided for the periarticular tissues like the ligaments, tendons, muscles, and other connective tissues. This multidimensional support is complimented by support for the liver and kidneys that provides indirect benefits for joint support. Nutritional factors found in a variety of whole foods, tissue extracts and concentrates, and botanical ingredients provide a broad range of important cellular substrates.

Canine Musculoskeletal Support offers the advantage of being able to support the patient with joint disease by itself or in combination with other nutritional products or pharmaceuticals. When pharmaceuticals are utilized to appropriately maintain the patient, use of Canine Musculoskeletal Support can generally result in reduced dosage of the drug. This effect can benefit the patient by reducing potential side effects of the drug. Other situations that benefit from the use of CMS include patients recovering from orthopedic surgery. Ideally, these patients should receive CMS for at least one week prior to surgery and 4-6 weeks after surgery. Canine Musculoskeletal Support is very safe and effective to use in cats.

The musculoskeletal system has many different components: bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels, and organs that support these tissues. The liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands all play a part in a healthy musculoskeletal system. The whole food ingredients in Canine Musculoskeletal Support provide a wide range of essential nutrients for these tissues, helping them maintain optimal health and function. This product is designed to provide support for the patient with inflammatory joint conditions like osteoarthritis. The multilevel support in this product facilitates improved function of tissues associated with the joints including bone, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and muscle.”

Check out our other articles for even more knowledge to keep your pet healthy and happy!

Does My Pet Really Need Nutritional Supplements?

Standard Process Canine Cardiac Support: A Holistic Veterinarian’s Therapeutic Review

Laser Therapy for Pets: 12 Common Pet Health Conditions That Can Benefit from Laser Therapy

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Dr. Candy Akers, DVM

Holistic Veterinarian, Veterinary Clinic Owner, Veterinary Medical Supervisory Board Leader, Certified Raw Dog Food Nutrition Specialist, and Author Dr. Candy completed her undergraduate studies at The University of Delaware and graduated veterinary school in 2009 from Oklahoma State University. In high school, she was drawn to wildlife rehabilitation. Wildlife rehab gave her unparalleled experience in animal healing in a field that has limited resources and a wide variety of conditions to treat. Before vet school, Dr. Akers spent two years working full time providing oil spill response for wildlife all over the country. Since graduating with her Degree of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 2009, Dr. Candy has specialized in companion animal nutrition. Extensive education in nutrition has made her a firm believer in species specific-biologically appropriate diets. One of her passions is educating pet parents about the natural alternatives that actually work. She brings the best of holistic health and conventional medicine together in a unique approach to pet health. This approach is often applied to chronic diseases, allergies, and autoimmune conditions. She started her own veterinary practice 9 years ago in Colorado. Overall, she has dedicated her entire life to improving the health and happiness of animals everywhere.

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