This post is sponsored by GlycoFlex. We only share what we think is relevant, and all opinions are mine all mine.
By our rough count, this handsome guy turned 12 this summer!
I don’t know how it’s possible for time to move as quickly as it does.
Anyway, with his ongoing cancer treatments and checkups, sometimes it’s difficult for us to tell the difference between symptoms that indicate progression of disease or symptoms that are just a factor of him being a handsome old man. One of those things has been a bit of trembling in his legs.
At an oncology visit ages ago, the trembling was barely discernible, but the resident felt we should book a neurology consult because, though rare, hemangiosarcoma can metastasize in the brain. The neurologist took a quick look and felt that wasn’t the case. Relief, of course, but I worried that we could be seeing the first signs of some bigger problems. Right around that time, I headed off to BlogPaws, and I met the super nice folks at VetriScience Laboratories. They gave me some samples of Glyco Flex® Plus to try with Emmett and then sent along a couple more bags (plus some for one of you to win below…). The chews are designed for joint support but also include antioxidants, which I think are super important especially for senior pups.
I had the chance to ask Sara Phillips, the strategic brand manager at VetriScience Laboratories, a few questions about the line.
OMD: How were the chews formulated? What ingredients go into the product–and why those ingredients?
SP: Our products are formulated based on market analysis, input from field sales reps, and ideas from consumers and our employees. We utilize an Innovation Funnel which allows us to determine the feasibility of a product from market size to production capabilities to unique selling propositions.
Ingredients vary depending on the product. Our soft chews all start with an inactive matrix – this is what gives the chew its texture and taste. We have spent over a decade perfecting the matrix – and our R&D division continues to look for natural, functional ingredients to improve this matrix even more! The active ingredients – the ingredients that make the products work – are highly researched ingredients, often from exclusive suppliers. All ingredients must have safety data showing us that they are safe for use in pets. Our ingredients always go through a battery of tests before we will accept them. They must meet our standards from purity and label claim. Because FoodScience® Corporation has been in the industry for over 40 years, we have very deeply rooted relationships with suppliers around the world. This ensures that our ingredients are pure and safe.
OMD: What makes GlycoFlex Plus different from other similar products?
SP: Glyco Flex® Plus contains our most popular formula of Glyco Flex® 3, PLUS chondroitin. This is the most comprehensive joint support formula on the market. In addition to chondroitin, glucosamine, and antioxidants, our product contains GlycOmega® brand Perna canaliculus, from an exclusive supplier in New Zealand. Perna is a whole food, naturally containing essential fatty acids, amino acids and all 6 classes of GAG’s – the nutrients that are the building blocks for healthy joints. The Glyco Flex® 3 formula has been clinically proven to increase hind leg strength by 41% in just 4 weeks. No other joint supplement can make that claim.
OMD: What types of dogs–age, breed, fitness, etc.–is GlycoFlex Plus for?
Glyco Flex® Plus is great for dogs of all ages, sizes, breeds, and fitness levels! VetriScience® strongly believes that proper veterinary care is an essential part of any wellness plan and we recommend all pets be seen by a veterinarian prior to adding any supplement to their regimen.
Emmett certainly likes the flavor of the chews (no surprise there). His legs continue to tremble, but his strength hasn’t decreased one tiny bit. I was worried about degeneration, but if you ask the vet tech he flew around the clinic like a kite, well, he’s still a beefcake. I’m definitely going to keep him on these chews indefinitely as we focus on keeping him as strong and healthy as possible. In hindsight, actually, I wish we had started him on this regimen as a preventative, rather than waiting until there was a problem. Lesson learned. In fact, I think that would be my advice: Talk to your vet about starting your dog on a Glyco Flex supplement before you start to notice any joint/mobility issues to hopefully stave them off.
If you’re interested in giving the chews a whirl, the brand very generously offered a giveaway of the same bags you see pictured with Emmett above! This is a Rafflecopter giveaway. The widget will load below (sometimes it takes a second). If you’re reading this via email or through a feed, you might have to click the link.
I’m happy to keep my old guy on this routine and will definitely report any changes we notice! Thank you, VetriScience, for so generously offering this review and giveaway!