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They have glucosamine specifically for dogs, and I was wondering if there was any difference between the two.

2007-03-05 09:24:29 · 10 answers · asked by z3115 2 in Pets Dogs

10 answers

it is ok. i had to give it to my dane. i used pure instead of mixed products. i use nutro lamb and rice food now. it has glucosamine and chonjointants(sp) in the dogs food. it has done great for me.

2007-03-05 09:30:22 · answer #1 · answered by twrider_29 2 · 1 0

Most of the "human grade" supplements are essentially the same than the ones they sell specially made for pets. The only time you need to be careful is with supplements that are high in zinc and iron as those can be harmful to your dog.

Glucosamine supplements for humans are either just glucosamine, or mixes with MSM and Chondroitin. The biggest difference to the stuff they market specifically for dogs is the price - the human grade supplements tend to be a lot cheaper and you have more of a choice in regards to brands and mixtures (plain Glucosamine, Glucosamine plus Chondroitin, etc.).

My dog gets two Glucosamine / MSM / Chondroitin combination pills as well as two Fish / Flax / Borage oil pills as supplements to her food everyday. I've been using the people brands (I buy at Target) for years and prefer them over the "specifically for dogs" brands because they are the same thing, just a lot cheaper.

2007-03-05 10:00:56 · answer #2 · answered by Abby K9 4 · 0 0

The difference is generally the price.
Just like if you buy stuffs for the horse,it will have the same make up as the dog product but cheaper.
Dog health and accesssories is a billion dollar industry. I should know I give a lot of money to the industry.
Yes it's okay, same thing 1000mg a day.
I have been giving my dog that for 6yrs now. He is a 13yr old 90lb German Sheppard mix.

2007-03-05 09:31:55 · answer #3 · answered by Tyson boy's dad 5 · 2 0

I would recommend that you call your vets office and let them know what glucosamine tablets and the mg of each table, your vet will be able to give you the correct daily dosage. Good Luck

2007-03-05 10:29:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

I gave Osteo-Biflex to my 2 German Sheherds in their senior years and it really helped them. My vet said to just give them the dose that a person would take. Don't be alarmed if you accidentally give them an extra one. My vet said that it is just a supplement (like a vitamin) and it shouldn't have any side effects.I use to wait for them to go on sale (buy 1 and get 1 free). Stores run sales on those quite a bit. They are kind of expensive, but isn't your best friend worth it?

2007-03-05 09:59:50 · answer #5 · answered by gfwiggles 2 · 1 0

yes you can give the glucosamine to the dog just be carefull of the dose. it is just a joint supplement. Have given it to my dog and horses.

2007-03-05 09:39:06 · answer #6 · answered by ncbear50 1 · 1 0

we have been giving glucosamine to our Lab for the past 8 months without any side affects. when we checked with our vet, he said it was fine.

2007-03-05 09:28:52 · answer #7 · answered by living4christ18 1 · 1 0

No difference really but you want to give the right dosage.. Human doses are for humans... Lots of dogfoods contain glucasamine... Check to see if it's already in his diet.

2007-03-05 09:30:10 · answer #8 · answered by DP 7 · 2 0

Yes, I give it to my St. Bernard by vet's advice. It's cheaper also.

2007-03-05 09:53:25 · answer #9 · answered by fisherwoman 6 · 1 0

First, it really does help to know for sure if your dog's problem is arthritis from wear and tear or a condition such as hip dysphasia. Hopefully, your vet has been able to make a diagnosis. If your vet has diagnosed your dog with osteoarthritis, there is a safe and effective new drug called Adequan which is very similar to the more familiar oral supplement known as Glucosamine. Adequan soothes and lubricates the joint, naturally reducing inflammation and pain by reducing friction. Even better, instead of just masking pain as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) do, it actually helps to rebuild cartilage in the damaged joint. It's not just pain control, it's therapy. Weight control is the single best thing you can do for a dog with arthritis. The more weight on those poor old joints, the harder it is to move around. You should be able to easily locate each of your dog's ribs when you feel for them. Any "light" diet is helpful. Carefully managed exercise levels can have huge benefits for dogs suffering from joint disease. Provide limited, gentle exercise. Once around the block two or three times a day is about right. Avoid making your dog a "weekend athlete", exercise needs to be a daily event . Modify or skip activity in extreme weather, such as cold, rain, humidity, or heat. Dogs are just like people --- they respond well to warming a sore joint in many cases, they are comforted by touch, and they do better if they know that someone cares about them. Massage can increase flexibility, circulation, calmness and a general sense of wellness. You can do it yourself, or find a professional animal massage therapist to provide your pet a more thorough treatment. Buffered aspirin or enteric coated aspirin (Use 5 grain-325 mg aspirin tablets) as a good a first choice in pain relief, they are inexpensive, readily available and relatively safe. The usual dosage is 10mg/lb of body weight twice a day, for dogs. For chronic arthritis pain, there are much better drugs, but aspirin is perfectly ok for occasional aches and pains. It's worth trying a Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplement in conjunction with the aspirin use, at a dosage of one tablet of the 500mg glucosamine/400mg chondroitin tablets per 25 lbs. of body weight, if the cost is not a major factor. Glucosamine combined with Chondroitin are said to help degenerative joint diseases. The theory is that by taking these compounds orally, one's body can address cartilage breakdown with the ability to rebuild. It's also been suggested that glucosamine may have anti-inflammatory properties of its own and/or may act by stimulating the synthesis of joint lubricants and collagen within the damaged joint. Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements are without scientific proof of efficacy. There are many reports of these medications helping numerous individuals and animals, but you should keep in mind that theories surrounding these products are still unproven. After using a Glucosamine supplement daily for six weeks, you can try to wean your dog off of painkillers slowly. If after that you notice that your dog seems to be in pain, by all means go back to using the pain killers. After a couple of months, if you can see no improvement in your dog then have your vet re-evaluate the management of your pets condition. Of course there are risks in any medication, but if "natural" supplements aren't working, you need to make some educated decisions with your vet's help, and use a medication with the least risks which will keep your dog pain free. Glucosamine and Chondroitin suppelments can be purchased in health food stores, at veterinary clinics, and in pet supply catalogs. Not all Glucosamine and Chondroitin products are created equal, however. The difference in various products lies in the dosing, carriers, vitamins, minerals, and purity of the ingredients. Products that contain human grade Glucosamine and Chondroitin are much more likely to be of high quality and in a purer form. In addition to ingredients, the concentration of actual Glucosamine and Chondroitin vary from product to product. It is perfectly safe for your dog to get human grade Glucosamine. Products designed for dogs often have ascorbic acid or manganese to help aid in the uptake of Glucosamine in the canine. Canine products may be flavored or fortified with other minerals. The most expensive product is not always the best. Compare the ingredients between products to ensure that you are getting what you pay for. Some of the most popular products for dogs include Cosequin made by Nutramax, Drs. Foster and Smith's Joint Care,and Glycoflex. Glucosamine hydrochloride (HCl) and Glucosamine sulfate both work equally well in dogs. The sulfate form was originally used in Europe. The HCl form has recently become more popular because it is purer and provides more available glucosamine per unit weight and contains much less residual ash. Liquid formulations offer a higher absorption rate, compared to pills, assuming you can get a liquid into your dog. I should mention that almost all "natural" supplements have to be given for at least a month before you may see any improvement in your dog's health. If you stop giving the supplements, the cartilage degeneration will reoccur about four to six months after the product is discontinued. It is for this reason that you should also use some kind of anti-inflammatory pain relief medication in conjunction with a wholistic supplement. There's no reason for your dog to suffer for any period of time. Vitamin E is reported to have moderate anti-inflammatory properties and it does seem to help some dogs. Use 2000 IU/day/dog for dogs over 50 lbs. It is a good idea to take a week or two to build up to this dose, though. Some other things you can do to ease your dog's pain are:

Acupuncture is another option that appears to help some dogs.

Your dog's bed should be as comfortable as your own. Orthopedic beds are of great benefit to pets that develop joint problems. Heated beds are also a great benefit.

Build or buy steps and ramps (with non-skid treads) to help your dog deal with stairs and getting into vehicles.

Place water bowls at several convenient locations so that your dog has easy access to a drink when needed.

Hardwood and tile floors are slippery and can be very difficult for dogs with arthritis to navigate. Placing carpet or non- slip area rugs will help secure your dog's footing. This can help prevent him from slipping and injuring himself.

One popular drug for joint stiffness in dogs is Rimadyl. You should be aware that there has been liver damage and even deaths from this drug in specific breeds of dogs. The predominant breed affected has been the Labrador Retriever.

It is always best to check with your veterinarian before putting your pet on any medication or supplement. This information should be a part of your pet's medical record.

2007-03-05 09:42:16 · answer #10 · answered by Jessica♥sRRidgebacks 3 · 1 3

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