Glucosomine/Chondroitin?

[pnance]

I need recommendations on a glucosoine/chondroitin supplement. The vet originally recommended a brand which is what I've been giving Bear for years, but they just quit making it so now I need some new recommendations on what brand is good. Any suggestions?

[CathyBogart]

We are giving Wilbur a human grade Glucosamine/Chondrioitin supplement we got at a drugstore.

Also, if this doesn't gross you out (and if you can find them), chicken feet are an excellent source of glucosamine and chondroitin. :) Wilbur loves those!

[pnance]

The one I was giving Bear was also human grade, do you know the name? Chicken feet...I'd never really though of it. I'll have to see if I can find some. Kind of gross I agree, but I'll get over it in order to keep him off rimadyl as long as possible.

[CathyBogart]

I don't know the name of it, next time I'm at my parents' house I'll look.

[Uabassoon]

My doctor recommended Osteo Bi-Flex for me when I was having joint issues. I would think it would be good for dogs as well. You can find it at Walgreens.

[Daisy and Delilah]

Osteo Bi-flex is the one I use and I like it. They put out coupons quite often too. This would probably work for Bear too. I know Phred uses glucosamine/chondroitin for the pups. He might have some ideas. :)

[Cinder & Smoke]

Phred here ~

Yep, Smokey started taking Glucosamine at about 2 years of age for his "trick knee" ...
and after about 6 months has hardly had a problem with it http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/eek.gif "popping out".
Bowser started on Glucosamine at 10-12 years of age - as soon as he got here ...
He walked with a rear end "hop" step ... after about 6 months he was able to
walk with a more normal gait.

We use what Doc Mike (the FurKids' White Coat) takes for his OWN sore knees ...
WalMart store brand "Spring Valley" - Glucosamine Sulfate, 1000 mg capsules,
one per day.
(Smokey weighs ~~ 42#; Bowser about 30#)

And now *I* take one every morning, too! Dunno if it helps or not - but the old knees
don't bother me! http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/wink.gif

Research I did, and Doc Mike agreed with, said combination Glucosamine and
Chondroitin hadn't been proven to be any better for DOGS than plain Glucosamine. There are now some newer supplements out that add "MSM" and offer
a THREE-way combination - Glucosamine + Chondroitin + MSM ...
but no real studies hve been done to prove the stuff "works".

Note: Smokey started out taking TWO x 500 mg TABLETS made by Spring Valley -
but our local WallyMart stopped carrying that in favor of the more popular larger CAPSULE.
Cost is only $10-$12 per 200 count bottle. Some of the VET-sold brands cost a LOT more -
and are of no better quality according to Doc Mike.

Smoke takes his by the "Open Wide & Shove it down" method;
Bowser has stopped *grabbing* (pills AND fingers) and now *EATS* his like a treat! http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/rolleyes.gif
(Capsule makes a loud http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/eek.gif POP if he <chomps> it just right!) http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/tongue.gif

/s/ Phred

[jackie]

:D I take Webbers Naturals and seems to do just fine.

[K9karen]

Cody took Cosequin, prescribed by the vet. Very expensive, so I switched to an over the counter brand and the garbage gut, big goofy galoot got sick. The vet said some GC pills are manufactured differently. None for Logan yet, but I will ask my vet on her next visit as a precaution. Great stuff for hoomans too.

[wolfsoul]

I give Visa a glucosamine and shark cartilage supplement. Shark cartilage is actually supposed to be better than glucoasmine and chondroitin. I think the stuff I use is called Pet Wonders or something like that. And it's a reputable company, they only use cartilage from common sharks and don't kill them in large amounts. I gave these supplements to Visa during her pregnancy so I'm sure Solo's joints will be very good. :)

[ashleycat]

Where's the best site to get this shark cartalige?

[pnance]

Thanks everyone. Seems like there's lots of options, but most everyone recommends the human grades (cheaper and just as good if not better). Phred I had heard before though I hadn't followed up on it, that there's not really any scientific proof that a chondroitin additive is helpful. Bear's had fairly severe arthritis in his back legs since we adopted him when he was about 5. The supplement has kept him off rimadyl for the past 4 years. He has a vet appointment on Friday anyway so I'll discuss the options everyone gave me with the vet. Thanks again for your help.

[anna_66]

Roxey was having problems with her back leg and the vet recommended this...Synovi G3 (http://www.amazon.com/Synovi-G3-Soft-Chews-120/dp/B000ALI5H4) It worked like a charm so needless to say I suggest it. Much cheaper through Amazon than it was from the vets (1/2 the price actually!). Take a look at the reviews, seems a lot of people have had success with this.

Ingredients
Glucosamine HCI, MSM, Creatin Monohydrate, Perna Canaliculus, Microcrystalline Celluslose, Sucrose, Natural Meat Flavor, Natural Liver Flavor, Marine Lipid Concentrates, Citrus Bioflavonoids, Calcium Phosphate, Vitamin E, Lecithin, Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin C, Ainc Sulfate, Magnesium Stearate, Colloidal Silcon Dioxide, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Grape Seed Extract, Selenium.

Another thing I suggest is Liquid Health (http://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Health-Arthritis-Formula-HEALTH/dp/B00028NP5W/sr=1-2/qid=1157555146/ref=sr_1_2/002-6870196-8696816?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden/). I gave this formula to Angus and it worked wonders for him.

Nutritional Information
Glucosamine Sulfate*: 5200 mg

Bromelain*: 1000 mg

Perna Mussel*: 2000 mg

Cat's Claw*: 400 mg

Ester-C®: 2000 mg

Parsley*: 235 mg

MSM*: 1750 mg

Grape Seed Extract*: 75 mg

Shark Cartilage*: 1000 mg

Manganese: 10 mg
Ingredients
Purified Water, Glucosamine Sulfate, Apple Cider Vinegar, Perna Mussel, Ester-C®, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Shark Cartilage, Bromelain, Cat's Claw Powder, Parsley, Citric Acid, Grape Seed Extract, Potassium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate.


I hope you can find something that works for you guys.
Just thought I'd add my two cents:)

[Kater]

I'm an advocate of oral hyaluronic acid preps. The two products I am familiar with are Hyaflex (http://www.hyaflex.com/) and Hyalun (http://www.hyalun.com). Hyaflex is for small animals and Hyalun is originally for horses, but works great for larger dogs. Hyalun is just more concentrated (and has a longer shelf life). For example my puppy is getting 1/4 dropperful of Hyalun once daily, so at this rate the bottle will last 4 months!

I get the product from the vet. I think they are for sale online, but definitely keep an eye on expiration dates if you go that route. They are dated with little stickers stuck to bottom of the bottle - a poor design which can probably be easily tampered with. Sorry, I am pessimistic about online retailers when it comes to products that degrade and have expiration dates.

From the Hyalun site....

How does hyaluronic acid compare to glucosamine or chondroitin?
Glucosamine is a precursor of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid in turn makes the synovial fluid. Glucosamine must to combine with a glucoronic acid molecule to make hyaluronic acid. Often times the body is not able to join these two molecules together and the the production of the much needed hyaluronic acid is never achieved. By administering hyaluronic acid, you take away the risk of this integral process not happening and may see results with hyaluronic acid that you did not see with glucosamine or chondroitin.

For more serious joint issues, I would also recommend Adequan injections (another product originally designed for horses). We are offering them now at my clinic, and lots of our older dogs are seeing very marked improvement. These dogs have been on glucosamine/chondroitin long term prior to the Adequan. Many of them are also already getting regular acupuncture.

Adequan site: http://www.adequancanine.us

Okay, probably enough from me for now. If anyone wants to know more, feel free to PM me!

[pnance]

I confess I've never heard of hyaluronic acid preps. Do you have to use them together to show the best results?

[Kater]

I confess I've never heard of hyaluronic acid preps. Do you have to use them together to show the best results?
I am not sure which two things you are talking about using together....please clarify. :)
If you mean using both Hyalun and Hyaflex together - they are the same chemical (sodium hyaluronate), just in different concentrations. So you would just choose one based on the size of your animal. :)

[Kater]

More plugging for HA....

We had to take Kirkie off of Hyalun a few days prior to his surgery, and I noticed a BIG difference within just 36 hours. Hylaun is without a doubt helping him.

HA is also available in human preps as well. The manager at our clinic takes it daily and he mentioned that he notices a big difference when he is off of it.

Anyway, just another option which may or may not be more expensive than glucosamine/chondroitin preps. :)