Frequently asked questions

Choosing a supplement

MYOS contains Fortetropin®, a natural nutrition product made from fertilised egg yolk. It helps maintain healthy muscle and reduce muscle loss caused by ageing, injury or surgery. MYOS Canine Muscle Formula (Original) has just one ingredient, with no additives, medications or artificial ingredients. MYOS is made in the USA, and the hens that produce the eggs are fed a diet with no added hormones or antibiotics.

Mussel Magic is VetMate's own supplement for dogs and cats, developed by Dr Vicki. It blends NZ Green Lipped Mussel (GLM) extract with marine collagen. GLM reduces inflammation and helps keep joints moving smoothly, while marine collagen helps rebuild cartilage, tendons, ligaments and skin. As well as joints and mobility, it supports skin and allergies, heart, kidney and digestive health.

Start slowly to avoid tummy upsets. Give about half of the full dose and build up over 5–7 days. Pets with sensitive tummies or health conditions may do better building up over 1–2 weeks.

MYOS Canine Muscle Formula (Original) – dogs. Maintaining and building muscle in senior dogs, during recovery, and in active and working dogs.
MYOS Canine Muscle Formula (Vet Strength with BCAAs) – dogs, vet script required. More significant muscle loss, or long periods of work and activity that need extra stamina and recovery.
MYOS Feline Muscle & Joint Formula – cats, vet script required. Muscle loss plus stiff or sore joints.
VetMate Mussel Magic – dogs and cats. Joints and mobility, skin and allergies, and heart, kidney and digestive health.

Not sure? Send us a message and Dr Vicki will help you choose.

MYOS is best for muscle loss: weakness from ageing, recovery after surgery or illness, or wasting in the back legs.
Mussel Magic is best for stiffness, arthritis, limping, or itchy skin and coat issues.
Both suit dogs with arthritis who are also losing muscle. This is very common in senior dogs, and the two work well together: muscle support from MYOS and joint support from Mussel Magic.

Mussel Magic is a great first step for cats that need joint support but don't have muscle loss. It's also a great choice for skin and general health.

If your cat has noticeable muscle loss, we recommend MYOS Feline Muscle & Joint Formula (vet script required). It contains both Fortetropin® and Green Lipped Mussel in one product. With cats, less is more!

Yes. Arthritis and muscle loss usually go hand in hand: sore pets move less, and their muscles waste. Mussel Magic reduces joint inflammation and supports cartilage repair, while MYOS rebuilds the muscle that supports the joints. MYOS has also been studied in dogs with osteoarthritis.

Many owners use both together for the best results.

Both contain Fortetropin®. Vet Strength also contains added BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids), the building blocks of muscle. They help promote recovery and muscle synthesis, so Vet Strength is useful for dogs with significant muscle loss or very high work demands.

Dosing is the same for both. Vet Strength requires a vet script.

Yes. Pets often lose muscle quickly during rest and recovery. Fortetropin® supports muscle recovery, which can help them get back on their feet sooner, and MYOS has been studied in dogs recovering from cruciate (TPLO) surgery. Mussel Magic's marine collagen supports the repair of tendons and ligaments.

Always follow your vet's rehab plan.

Is MYOS only for senior pets?

No. Senior pets often benefit most, but MYOS also helps pets recovering from surgery or injury, active and working dogs, and pets losing muscle for other reasons. Some owners use it as a preventative to maintain muscle as their pet ages.

Muscles and joints work as a team. Strong muscles support and stabilise the joints, absorb impact, and take pressure off cartilage and ligaments. When a pet loses muscle, the joints carry more load. That means more stiffness and pain, so the pet moves less and loses even more muscle.

That's why we look after both. MYOS builds and maintains the muscle that supports the joints, and Mussel Magic works on the joint itself. Most joint supplements only target the joint; supporting the muscle too is what makes the difference in the long term.

The most common causes are:

Ageing. Pets naturally lose muscle as they get older (sarcopenia).
Arthritis and joint pain. Sore pets move less, and unused muscle wastes away.
Surgery or injury. Muscle can disappear quickly during weeks of rest and restricted exercise.
Illness. Conditions such as kidney disease, heart disease and cancer can cause muscle loss, especially if appetite drops.
Medication. Long-term steroids can cause muscle wasting.

Muscle loss often shows first in the back legs and along the spine. Your pet may struggle to get up, jump or manage stairs. If you notice changes, talk to your vet, as muscle loss can be a sign of an underlying health issue.

Yes. Fortetropin® has been extensively studied in humans and animals, including dogs with osteoarthritis, dogs recovering from cruciate (TPLO) surgery, cats (including cats with chronic kidney disease) and horses. See the clinical studies.

Yes. Working and farm dogs put a lot of strain on their muscles and joints. MYOS helps maintain muscle and supports recovery, and Mussel Magic supports their joints. For dogs with very high work demands, ask us about MYOS Vet Strength.

Using our supplements

Using the 3g scoop included:

Daily dose:
Under 11kg = 1 scoop
11 - 22kg = 2 scoops
Over 22kg = 4 scoops

Base the dose on your dog's current weight, and increase it if they move into the next bracket.

MYOS Feline Muscle & Joint dosing from the label, e.g. cats up to 4.5 kg: 1 scoop daily; over 4.5 kg: 2 scoops daily.

Using the scoop provided:

Daily dose:
1 - 10kg = 1 scoop
11 - 25kg = 2 scoops
26 - 40kg = 3 scoops
41+kg = 4 scoops

1 scoop is approx 1/2 tsp.
You'll find the dosing guide by weight for dogs and cats on the Mussel Magic product page.

It's a common concern, because MYOS is made from egg yolk, and egg yolk contains phosphorus, which pets with kidney disease often need to limit.

If your dog's phosphorus levels aren't high and your vet hasn't recommended phosphate binders, MYOS is generally fine to use. MYOS ran a clinical trial in cats with chronic kidney disease and found no significant increase in kidney values (BUN and creatinine) or phosphorus, while the cats' muscle mass improved. Read the study results.

Pets with kidney disease need to keep eating regularly, so introduce MYOS slowly: start at about a quarter of the full dose and build up over 1–2 weeks. Keeping muscle is hugely important for quality of life, and a cat or dog that feels stronger is more likely to keep eating well. Check with your vet before starting.

Every pet is different, but our supplements suit most dogs and cats. With daily use, most owners see improvements from MYOS within 4–8 weeks, and older pets can take a little longer. Many Mussel Magic customers notice a difference within a few weeks. If your pet has an ongoing health condition, check with your vet first, or send us a message.

Muscle loss is common in pets with ongoing illness, and keeping muscle helps quality of life. Many pets with health conditions take MYOS and Mussel Magic, but every case is different. Check with your vet first, or message us and Dr Vicki can talk it through.

It depends on the product and your pet's size. You'll find a chart showing how long each pack lasts on each product page.

MYOS contains no medications or chemicals, just Fortetropin®. Both MYOS and Mussel Magic can generally be given alongside most medications. If your pet is already on a fish oil or joint supplement, we can help you avoid doubling up.

If your pet is on ongoing treatment, check with your vet.

Mussel Magic and MYOS Feline Muscle & Joint contain Green Lipped Mussel, so they're not suitable for pets with shellfish or seafood allergies.
MYOS is made from egg yolk, so it may not suit pets with an egg allergy. Pets with a chicken allergy may still be able to tolerate MYOS. Start at a half dose and build up gradually over 1–2 weeks, watching for any reactions.

MYOS suits dogs and cats of all breeds, from puppies and kittens through to seniors. If your pet can tolerate egg yolk, they can usually take MYOS. While MYOS is safe for young animals, it isn't needed while they're still growing.

Mussel Magic suits dogs and cats of all breeds and ages. Dr Vicki started her own pup on Mussel Magic at 3 months old to help with his joints and itchy feet!

Mussel Magic is a tasty powder that most pets happily eat sprinkled on their food.

For MYOS, mix it into something your pet loves, such as wet food. MYOS must not be heated, so don't add it to warm food or hot water.

MYOS Muscle Formula hasn't been formally studied in pregnant or nursing pets. While it should theoretically be safe, we can't guarantee its safety, so please discuss it with your vet.

Some of our patients have used MYOS after their puppies were weaned, to help the mum regain muscle lost while nursing.

Store MYOS and Mussel Magic in a cool, dry place after opening. Refrigeration is recommended.

Orders, Subscriptions & Support

We will work quickly to ship your order as soon as possible. Once your order has shipped, you will receive an email with further information. Delivery times vary depending on your location.

A prescription is required for MYOS Canine Muscle Formula (Vet Strength with BCAAs) and MYOS Feline Muscle & Joint Formula with Green Lipped Mussel. Please ask your vet to email the script to hello@vetmate.nz.

MYOS Canine Muscle Formula (Original) and Mussel Magic don't need a prescription.

Log in to your account on our website, or use the link in your subscription emails to open your subscription portal. If your order has already been sent, email us at hello@vetmate.nz and we'll help.

Subscribe and your supplements arrive automatically, so you never run out. Log in to your account on our website to skip, reschedule or cancel at any time.

Yes! Send us a DM on Instagram or use our contact page, and Dr Vicki is happy to help. For anything urgent or a new health problem, please see your own vet.

Some pet insurers cover supplements, so check with your provider. Contact us if you need an invoice for your claim

VetMate was founded by Dr Vicki, a companion animal vet in a busy central Auckland practice. She has a passion for preventative medicine, arthritis pain management and working dogs, which all come together in VetMate.

Dr Vicki first imported MYOS for her old boy Doug, who was diagnosed with immune-mediated meningitis. He needed long-term steroids, which caused a lot of muscle wasting, which was hard for a dog who loved to run. After a lot of research, she found MYOS, which was widely researched and used in North America. Doug thrived on it, regaining significant muscle and mobility, to the delight of Dr Vicki, his neurologist and his rehab specialists.

While Doug is no longer with us, his legacy remains, and we're so proud to help other pets and people in Aotearoa.