How many mg of glucosamine chondroitin for dogs

All rights reserved. Theres a lot of crazy info out there when it comes to canine joint health and mobility. Elk antler, anyone? Arm yourself with the evidence and position your veterinary practice as the trusted source of reliable data. Whether their dogs are old and stiff, young and developing, or couch potatoes, pet owners tend to be highly concerned about canine joints. They're searching online for information on mobility and arthritis, asking each other for recommendations, or going with what's been recommended by their own doctor.

Chances are they've already come to you with questions about things like hyper-immune milk factor and Boswellia serrata , but how do you begin to shed light on the veiled world of nutraceuticals? How much to give? How often?

What brand? Glucosamine-enriched dog food or shark cartilage supplement? What is truth? So many questions. You know pet owners are going to ask you for your opinion. Why not be the expert? Here's a rundown of the joint supplements getting the most buzz in the pet world these days. Glucosamine hydrochloride. Glucosamine hydrochloride is an amino sugar, but it's not involved in the glucose pathway.

It's a building block of the cartilage matrix and stimulates growth of cartilage cells. Glucosamine is readily available, cheap and can be given safely to diabetic patients, Dr. Brunke says. Notice that we're discussing glucosamine hydrochloride, here, not glucosamine sulfate. Although glucosamine sulfate is absorbed better, there have been no studies published showing that glucosamine sulfate actually shows up in synovial tissue after it's been ingested orally. A joint supplement doesn't help if it doesn't get where it needs to be.

A loading dose of two times maintenance for four to six weeks is required for glucosamine hydrochloride to reach therapeutic levels, Dr. Does it work? A randomized, double-blind, positive-controlled, multicenter trial assessed 35 dogs with confirmed osteoarthritis of the hip or elbow for their response to orally administered glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate.

Carprofen was used as the control. Although onset of efficacy was slower than carprofen, dogs treated with glucosamine-chondroitin showed statistically significant improvements in pain scores, severity and weightbearing by day Chondroitin sulfate. This supplement works by inhibiting cartilage-destroying enzymes, but it's difficult to source and extract, which raises the cost.

Chondroitin is a large molecule with variable absorption, Dr. Brunke says, though some companies produce a low-molecular-weight version that can increase absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. Chondroitin requires a loading dose similar to glucosamine, and the standalone dosage is the same as glucosamine.

When given with glucosamine, chondroitin has a synergistic effect and has been shown to lessen inflammation if given before a joint injury in dogs, Dr. Avocado soybean unsaponifiables ASUs.

ASUs protect cartilage matrix against damage by inhibiting key mediators of the structural changes that take place in osteoarthritis,2 and they stimulate healing of osteochondral defects in the canine knee, possibly by increasing transforming growth factor TGF -beta in the tissues. Brunke recommends daily administration based on body weight.

When combined with glucosamine and chondroitin, ASUs modify and amplify the actions of each and reduce the amount of chondroitin required. Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are known to support heart health and joints, improve kidneys and boost the immune system, but the dosage for each condition varies.

For example, the dose needed for kidneys is one-fifth the dose needed for joints, Dr. When it comes to omega-3s, docosahexaenoic acid DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid EPA from wild-caught coldwater fish is best. Farm-raised fish have low levels of omega-3s and high levels of omega 6s, Dr. The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the writing of this paper. National Center for Biotechnology Information , U.

Journal List Open Vet J v. Open Vet J. Published online Feb Author information Article notes Copyright and License information Disclaimer. Email: ac. Received Aug 25; Accepted Feb 9. This article has been cited by other articles in PMC. Abstract Osteoarthritis is a slowly progressive and debilitating disease that affects canines of all breeds. Open in a separate window. See Moreau trial summary below.

No subjective or objective improvements in comparison to placebo. Insufficient design quality for generalizability. Vandeweerd et al. Trials used different compounds and had conflicting results. Efficacy evidence is of low quality and MA may have contributed to the results.

Clinical Trials Moreau et al. The carprofen arm experienced statistically significant improvements in GRF values and orthopaedic surgeon assessment scores, but not in subjective owner assessment scores. The meloxicam arm experienced statistically significant improvements in GRF values, orthopaedic surgeon assessment scores, and owner assessment scores Safety: One dog in the meloxicam arm experienced vomiting.

One dog in the carprofen arm experienced anorexia, lethargy, jaundice, and vomiting and was diagnosed with toxic idiosyncratic hepatitis to carprofen. Both dogs were withdrawn from the trial. McCarthy et al. Outcomes: Efficacy in the treatment of confirmed OA, measured at days 14, 42, and 70; additionally, compliance was assessed by counting the number of capsules remaining at each visit.

Subjective outcome measures : Scores for lameness, joint mobility, pain on palpation, weight-bearing, and an overall score for clinical condition; severity of condition, subjective veterinarian evaluation, and withdrawal symptoms were also measured. Duration: 70 days. Lameness and joint mobility scores did not improve significantly by trial end.

The carprofen arm showed significant improvements from baseline with regard to all five parameters at or before 70 days.

Exclusion criteria: Serious concomitant diseases or complications. Outcomes: Therapeutic efficacy, tolerability, and safety, measured on a monthly basis. Objective outcome measures: Peak vertical force and impulse area measurements obtained with a piezoelectric sensor-based ground force plate indicators of lameness due to pain ; physical, hepatic, and renal functions were monitored via body weight, temperature, pulse, ALP, ALT, bilirubin, BUN, and Cr measurements.

Subjective outcome measures: Overall pain, pain upon limb manipulation vocalization , pain after physical exertion limping and limb rigidity , signs of pain, signs of lameness, severity of pain during various activities i. Duration: days. Efficacy: The placebo arm did not experience statistically significant changes in any of the outcome measures by trial end.

Ground force plate-based parameters remained significantly unchanged by trial end. Safety: None of the dogs receiving dietary supplements showed any signs of adverse effects. Outcomes: Therapeutic efficacy and safety, measured on a monthly basis.

Subjective outcome measures: Overall pain trouble changing between sitting and standing, vocalization, crying , pain upon limb manipulation vocalization , and exercise-associated lameness limping, holding limb up, limb rigidity.

Duration: days of intervention exposure followed by a day withdrawal period. In Vitro Studies Anderson et al. Chondrocytes in all three mediums had characteristics indicative of viability and differentiation.

Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of single and multiple doses were measured through blood and plasma samples. A typical blood sampling scheme was measured pre-dose and at 0.

LMWCS results in significant accumulation upon multiple dosing. Surrogate Outcome Trials Johnson et al. Heterogeneity of results from synovial fluid analyses reported. Canapp et al. Dogs given pre-SI GlAm-CS showed significantly less soft-tissue SA at day 48 and significantly less bone SA at days 41 and 48 compared to the other study arms, with less SA being suggestive of a protective effect against synovitis.

Dogs given pre-SI GlAm-CS showed a significant decrease in lameness on days 12, 19, 23, and 24 compared to the other study arms. Significant differences in SA and lameness were not found at any time among the study arms that did not receive pre-SI therapy. Review Articles Pascoe Not applicable. Article reviews studies in humans, horses, and dogs. Henrotin et al. In vitro studies show increased production of proteoglycans by chondrocytes; however, results cannot be extrapolated to different preparations.

No scientifically conducted trials demonstrate disease-modifying properties. Johnston et al. Refers to Moreau and McCarthy trials. Concludes that based on the quality of the trials, one can be moderately comfortable with the results despite their lack of consistency.

Addleman Not applicable. Purity, quality, efficacy, dosing, and absorption of glucosamine and chondroitin vary and evidence is limited. There is a need for validated owner questionnaires, long-term studies with objective measures, and a better understanding of their mode of action. KuKanich Not applicable.

Current literature does not support the use of glucosamine and chondroitin for the control of osteoarthritis pain in dogs. Comblain et al. Studies have contrasting results.

In vitro studies indicate rapid absorption, a good safety profile, and chondroprotective effects in dogs. Minimal effective concentrations of these compounds and beneficial effects in dogs require further investigation. Review articles Eight commentaries reviewing the evidence around glucosamine and chondroitin use in canines with osteoarthritis were available in the literature.

Discussion Nutraceuticals are not considered medicinal products and are consequently not regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration FDA ; therefore manufacturers are not required to provide scientific information to legal authorities for approval Vandeweerd et al. Future study design proposal From the above discussion, there is a clear need for a high-quality clinical study to evaluate the effect of glucosamine and chondroitin in canines with osteoarthritis.

Table 3 Future Study Design Proposal. Patients Client-owned dogs with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. Administration: With food typical home environments would have intervention administered in conjunction with food Maxwell et al. Control Placebo liquid. Randomization Stratified randomization based on disease severity. Allocation Concealment Central computerized random allocation, with all assessors, investigators, analyzers, owners, clinicians, and subjects blinded to treatment allocation.

Outcome Primary outcomes: 1. LOAD 2. Semi-objective: A standardized clinical pain and OA assessment by a veterinarian 3. Size Calculated using the clinically significant difference in primary outcome score, expected standard deviation, and desired levels of confidence and power. Centre Multi-centred, using veterinary or orthopaedic college institution s. Conclusion Glucosamine and chondroitin are commonly recommended by veterinarians as an alternative for treating osteoarthritis in canines unable to tolerate the adverse effects of NSAIDs, or as add-on therapy.

Conflict of interest statement The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the writing of this paper.

References Addleman A. The bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of glucosamine hydrochloride and low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate after single and multiple doses to beagle dogs. Drug Dispos. Glucosamine therapy for knee osteoarthritis: pharmacokinetic considerations. Expert Rev. In vitro effects of glucosamine and acetylsalicylate on canine chondrocytes in three-dimensional culture.

Systematic review of clinical trials of treatments for osteoarthritis in dogs. Use of nutraceuticals and chondroprotectants in osteoarthritic dogs and cats. North Am. Small Anim. Scintigraphic evaluation of dogs with acute synovitis after treatment with glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate. Review of dietary supplements for the management of osteoarthritis in dogs in studies from to Extend For a Longer, Better Life.

Comparative therapeutic efficacy and safety of type-II collagen UC-II , glucosamine and chondroitin in arthritic dogs: pain evaluation by ground force plate. Berl ; 96 5 — Drugs and Health Products: Veterinary Drugs. Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical management of canine osteoarthritis: present and future perspectives. Glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study using acetaminophen as a side comparator.

Arthritis Rheum. Effects of an orally administered mixture of chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride and manganese ascorbate on synovial fluid chondroitin sulfate 3B3 and 7D4 epitope in a canine cruciate ligament transection model of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. Joint anatomy, physiology, and pathobiology.

Nonsurgical management of osteoarthritis in dogs. Outpatient oral analgesics in dogs and cats beyond nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs: an evidence-based approach. As a result, keep these four things in mind:.

More importantly, you now know that most dogs should start this much-needed supplement earlier in their lives to help protect their joints and keep them going for a long time to come! I have a 5 lb Maltese Chihuahua mix puppy who is 13 weeks old and weighs less than 6 lb.

He was weighed two weeks ago and weighed 5 lb so could take a flea preventative her puppies. I read that Chihuahuas can develop hip and Joint problems because of their fragile skeleton and I want to start my puppy on a supplement that I saw that has cranberry glucosamine and a probiotic in it for puppies. My veterinarian wants me to wait until I bring him in for his second round of shots to tell me what he should take.

I am a person that relies on natural herbs more than chemical meds for myself and I have avoided lupus getting severe for 40 years now with a regimen of herbs and minerals and anti-inflammatory food.

Would the advice you give about supplements and puppy size and age be given by a veterinarian? I would appreciate some feedback as his next appointment is not until December 17th and I wanted to get him started on especially the glucosamine because I have taken it for 40 years and have managed to avoid needing a knee replacement or a hip replacement, along with making sure me and my puppy will exercise regularly.

Hi thank you for the comment. However, you may want to join some dog-related Facebook groups where there may be people who can give you advice. Let me know if I can be of further assistance. Looking for help for my 8 yr dog Vinnie. I have only listed my findings from other sites. Hi I have a golden that is 12 years old about a lbs, she is starting to have a hard time getting up with one of her hind legs but seems to be find walking shortly there after.

How many pills and how many times per day thank you. Keep in mind I am not a vet, but just going by what I have seen recommended online. I know that recommended amount is per day, so depending on who you order from, it may be split up into two pills.

I do not know about the dosage for Chondroitin, but I may do a future blog post on that. I know the Cosequin supplement recommended on my blog post has Chondroitin in it, so you may want to check out their recommendations also. Your email address will not be published.