Need recommendations re type of Glucosamine...

[momPaws]

I have been giving Honey ppl Glucosamine with Chondroitin with good success. But I have to grind up the pills. So am thinking of getting her pet Glu/Chond. Does anyone here use the liquid form that they have success with? Any recommendations? (Also - I have seen some advertised with MSM. What is that?)

[Traci]

Mompaws, it would really be better if you discuss this with your vet. He is the only one who knows her health history, her recent bloodwork results (if any), and he can evaluate her and determine her particular needs. I'm sure he could recommend a product he has experience with, has treated his patients with, and could tell you with what success.

[davet]

just my own opinion on glucosamine--- and i won;t express my oninion on it...

[KB]

just my own opinion on glucosamine--- and i won;t express my oninion on it...

Actually davet I would like to know your opinion on glucosamine since after all you are a vet (even if retired).

My dobie has been on glucosamine since he was diagnosed with wobblers when he was 3 (he is now 10), he just had recent x-rays and there has been little change in the compression.

I don't know if it because of the glucosamine or the combination of everything we do for him, all his bowls are up off the floor, we moved our bedroom to the first floor so he doesn't have do the stairs, he will go up, but he wont come down, his activity level is minimal, no more collar, we use a harness, etc.

[momPaws]

What do you mean by "wobblers" - loose joints? My dog has arthritis and Gluc./Cond. has saved her.. She is 13 now and switched to another brand with MSM added so maybe this will help more. Once I stopped giving her c/g and she could hardly walk. But with the g/c (approved by my vet) she limps sometimes, but can walk, run...acts like a puppy, but I have to reign her in sometimes for her own good. (I remember what davet said about g/c, but won't speak for him.) Glad about your dobie doing so well.

[davet]

Kb, myopinion on glucoasmine and chondroiton is that it does really not work..I know a lot of animals and people seem to get releif when on it but i suspect those are the onesthat would have gotten releif naturally....lbut i can;t give you statistic or give a good reason. it is just my opinion and those in research especially those in the horse business...I started Rx ing it when it first came out but found the low dose aspirin or steroids,,,(don;t people hollar yet) but i am referring to very low dose,,,i could keep dosg and cats on maybe 5 mg of pred a week and they did fine, no side effects////again this is just my experience and if your vet says otherwise go along with himor her...I guess i am opinionated but i just thought it was a waste of money for the client.......not corrected for erros cause Corinne says we are going shopping and who am iI to argue....

[pixiemaxiris]

Well I would also talk to the vet first if I were you.

But as for good brands, I personally use Grand Flex for my horse (who I use to compete in eventing) and really like it. You can use it for dogs, too. It's less expensive than a lot of brands but seems to be effective (I have noticed a difference when I've taken her off of it).

I also have her on MSM. It stands for methylsulfonylmethane. Basically, it is a source of sulfur for the animal to use in production/repair of cartilage. At least, that's the theory. I don't know if it actually works that way, but it seems to help my 15-year-old mare move around with minimal pain after years of competition and a hock injury.

But I use these both at the suggestion of my vet who has treated my mare since she was 4 years old.

[davet]

here is an article on gluc and chondro and i can;t find the article on horses but it says, if I remember right, that the chondroiten compound is to large, malucullar wise, to pas into the blood stream...Buty i am not saying not to use it if you think it is working.

..http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/23/healt ... oo&emc=rss

[KB]

What do you mean by "wobblers" - loose joints? .

mompaws, wobblers is the narrowing of the neck vertabra which causes compression on the spinal cord, it ultimately affects that rear legs and causes a wobbly gait amongst other things.

If you would like to read more on wobblers see the following website
http://www.chetbacon.com/wobblers.htm

[pixiemaxiris]

i can;t find the article on horses but it says, if I remember right, that the chondroiten compound is to large, malucullar wise, to pas into the blood stream...

You are right, I have read that, too. But it is thought that the glucosamine molecules do pass through the intestinal wall to the bloodstream (being a much smaller molecule). Grand Flex is a glucosamine supplement and does not contain condroiten sulfate. It would be a waste of money to feed something that just passes right though! Hopefully, that's not what I'm doing with the glucosamine. The mare is expensive enough to feed!