| The chronic pain of arthritis affects nearly 10 | | | | - Glucosamine hydrochloride (Glucosamine HCl) |
| million adult dogs in the United States alone. It is | | | | seems most effective and is usually combined |
| heartbreaking to watch your best friend limping | | | | with (low molecular weight) chondroitin sulfate. |
| and sore, struggling to keep up on his much loved | | | | Glucosamine and chondroitin seem to work best |
| walks. Glucosamine for dogs is as important for | | | | together. |
| our furry friends as glucosamine is for people - | | | | - Methyl Sulfonyl Methane (MSM) seems to be a |
| you want to do something that is safe and can | | | | helpful anti-inflammatory as well as an anti-oxidant. |
| help. | | | | - Avocado / Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU) seem |
| So you start speaking to people - veterinarians | | | | to reduce pain and inflammation. They are pretty |
| such as myself, friends, family and people at the | | | | new. |
| dog park. Everyone has an opinion on these | | | | - Omega 3 fatty acids have a mild |
| nutraceuticals (nutrients with medicinal properties) | | | | anti-inflammatory function and can also help the |
| - they are a confusing and costly minefield. When | | | | skin but need to be derived from fish sources |
| choosing glucosamine for dogs you need to tread | | | | (flax seed is not effective in dogs). |
| carefully because: | | | | - Green lipped mussel extract (perna canaliculus) is |
| - There are a large number of supplements on | | | | a good source of chondroitin but does not have |
| the market. | | | | much if any glucosamine. For this reason I do not |
| - The lack of regulation of the nutraceutical | | | | use it as a first line treatment but it is ok. |
| market makes quality control and treatment | | | | Tip 4. Combine quality ingredients and use the |
| claims very difficult to assess. | | | | correct doses |
| - Dose rates and even the effectiveness of these | | | | There is an amazing dose variability with these |
| products are highly variable | | | | products. Dasuquin is the gold standard so I would |
| Choosing a joint supplement can be very difficult. | | | | use this as the guideline for dosing. Note that |
| You can trawl through the tangle of online | | | | after 4-6 weeks the dose can be halved and |
| products and promises or spend a lot of time and | | | | once consistent improvement is seen this |
| money trying different products and see what | | | | maintenance dose can be given every second |
| works. | | | | day. This is helpful with the costs as Dasuquin is |
| As a veterinarian I see people confused over | | | | expensive on the initial doses. For a table of dose |
| these products every day! The good news is that | | | | guidelines visit my blog - you can access it |
| I have professionally researched these products | | | | through the resource box below. |
| so you don't have to. I am not here to suggest | | | | Omega 3 fatty acids could also be added but I |
| any particular product to you - I want to teach | | | | would try Dasuquin first. The sister drug to |
| you what works so you can make your own | | | | Dasuquin is called Welactin and is mainly used for |
| mind up. I want you to know and understand the | | | | skin conditions but can help for arthritis as well. |
| ingredients, the doses and what is safe and | | | | Tip 5. Don't cut corners with price |
| effective. | | | | Remember that this whole industry is unregulated. |
| Six Tips to Choose Glucosamine for Dogs | | | | That has led to serious problems with product |
| Here are my tips for choosing the best | | | | quality and consistency. It is estimated that 80% |
| supplement for your best friend. | | | | of human glucosamine products do not contain |
| Tip 1. Make sure your dog needs this stuff | | | | what the bottle says they should. This is scary |
| Many dogs with early arthritis respond well to | | | | So remember if it is too cheap it is probably not |
| weight loss and regular, gentle exercise. You | | | | worth buying. Instead you should invest in the |
| should always be working on these common | | | | better quality preparations and stick with them |
| sense treatments. | | | | and when you get to a maintenance or an every |
| Tip 2. Check the products are safe | | | | second day dose the price will be more tolerable. |
| Almost all of these drugs are amazingly safe and | | | | Tip 6. Don't count on one treatment or product |
| this is partly why they are so popular. | | | | to control your dogs arthritis |
| Products containing Menadione (may be listed as | | | | There are always going to be new products with |
| Vitamin K3 or Vitamin K) can build up to toxic | | | | amazing promises. When treating arthritis I would |
| levels and active yeast cultures can cause | | | | strongly suggest that you take what I call a |
| stomach problems in dogs so avoid these. | | | | multi-modal approach rather than focus on one |
| Also remember that not every herbal / natural | | | | product or technique. This means you use |
| treatment is safe for dogs even if it is for people. | | | | different treatment modes and combine them to |
| Tip 3. Use ingredients that actually work! | | | | produce the best results with the least side |
| Here is the biggest question of all for dog arthritis | | | | effects. Here are the areas you should also be |
| glucosamine products: do they work?! | | | | looking at: |
| Unfortunately the verdict is still out. The large | | | | - Weight control |
| clinical studies in people would say probably not | | | | - Exercise and physical therapy |
| BUT many dog owners would say they absolutely | | | | - Prescription pain killers as needed |
| do. | | | | - Surgery is absolutely needed for SOME dogs |
| My opinion is that many dogs have received | | | | with operable causes of joint trauma |
| amazing improvements in mobility and quality of | | | | - Other treatments such as acupuncture, trigger |
| life. Yet some dogs receive little or no | | | | point therapy etc |
| improvement. The frustrating part is that the only | | | | What Should I do Now? |
| way to know if they will work or not is to give | | | | If your best friend is not already on some dog |
| them a go. | | | | arthritis glucosamine supplement then you should |
| Because they are SO SAFE most owners and | | | | fix this - they are a very helpful baseline |
| veterinarians are happy to try them and see | | | | treatment for arthritis. |
| what happens. I think They should form the | | | | Choose a quality product that at least has |
| baseline arthritis treatment for just about every | | | | glucosamine AND chondroitin. Use the guidelines |
| dog. | | | | above and consider adding a product with MSM |
| For your dogs arthritis, glucosamine remains the | | | | and ASU as well for best results. |
| mainstay of treatment but here is the list of what | | | | Get moving! Exercise helps those stiff joints and |
| I think works: | | | | will also help with weight control. |