| Human Glucosamine for dogs has been effectively | | | | one has to supply Glucosamine from outside for |
| used to treat dogs suffering from arthritis or | | | | normal bodily functions. |
| osteoarthritis. The results have been very | | | | One can safely use human Glucosamine for dogs |
| encouraging and positive. These products have | | | | to replenish the depleted amount. One should |
| been found to be the safest and most effective | | | | consult the veterinary doctor before using any |
| way of treating aging dogs suffering from the | | | | medication. It is always advised to have the dog |
| crippling effects of arthritis or osteoarthritis. | | | | thoroughly checked and diagnosed for a specific |
| Human medicines have to be of human food | | | | condition before starting medication. Glucosamine |
| value while for pets the same have to be of | | | | does not hide or mask the pain, instead it helps, |
| animal food value, which is at a significantly lower | | | | renew, repair and rebuild cartilage. There are no |
| level. Hence, the challenge might come in the way | | | | reported side effects even for cases where |
| of getting the dogs to ingest the medicines. | | | | there has been prolonged usage of Glucosamine. |
| Human Glucosamine cannot be patented by | | | | Glucosamine provides dogs with a key component |
| pharmaceutical majors and hence they prefer to | | | | of cartilage called collegen. Collegen is composed |
| stay away from manufacturing medicines for | | | | of water, which in turn is supported by |
| pets. Glucosamine belongs to a class of | | | | proteogylcans. Glucosamine synthesizes |
| nutraceuticals and the FDA does not exercise | | | | proteogylcans in two ways. The first way is by |
| strict control over it. Glucosamine is a naturally | | | | virtue of being a key component of the structure |
| occurring substance found in many food products | | | | of proteogylcan. Secondly, Glucosamine induces |
| in abundance and are categorized as vitamins. | | | | the production of proteogylcan producing cells. |
| The typical patients that are subjected to the | | | | Glucosamine is readily available in Chitin, which is a |
| treatment are middle aged and old dogs who | | | | key component in the structure of shell fish. Pure |
| exhibit symptoms of stiffness and limping. Some | | | | Glucosamine is obtained after removing calcium |
| dogs find it difficult to negotiate stairs while some | | | | and proteins, following which the Glucosamine is |
| have problems while getting in and out of vehicles. | | | | stabilized with another substance to ensure |
| Glucosamine is mostly found in the cartilage of | | | | potency. For dogs the most studied and widely |
| animals and humans, and a majority of it is | | | | used variant of Glucosamine is Glucosamine |
| unsuitable for use due to degradation. Animals | | | | Hydrocloride. |
| synthesize the required Glucosamine from glucose. | | | | There are some schools of thought that believe |
| However with advanced age, the ability to | | | | that human Glucosamine can be harmful for dogs. |
| synthesize glucose diminishes significantly and also | | | | However, the general belief is that if your vet |
| due to increased injury to cartilages, the body is | | | | recommends it, there is no harm is helping your |
| unable to keep with the requirement. Therefore | | | | old and suffering pet. |