Varying Results
Glucosamine and chondroitin for dogs supplements may help a pet's body repair and recover from minor tissue damage in the joints and ease arthritis discomfort. Some evidence, not completely proved, suggests that these supplements are helpful in treating canine arthritis; but their use does not necessarily help all dogs. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation cannot reverse structural damage to the joints.
Types of Glucosamine
Nutritional glucosamine exists in three forms: glucosamine hydrochloride, or glucosamine HCL, a salt that the body converts to glucosamine sulfate for dogs; glucosamine sulfate, the kind manufactured within the body; and N-acetylglucosamine, a simple sugar. Glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine HCL appear to be best absorbed and utilized. The body produces glucosamine from sugars and amino acids and uses it as a tissue component, especially in the joints, but production decreases with advancing age. Commercial glucosamine for dogs dosage supplements are manufactured from crustacean shellfish exoskeletons.
Nutritional glucosamine exists in three forms: glucosamine hydrochloride, or glucosamine HCL, a salt that the body converts to glucosamine sulfate for dogs; glucosamine sulfate, the kind manufactured within the body; and N-acetylglucosamine, a simple sugar. Glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine HCL appear to be best absorbed and utilized. The body produces glucosamine from sugars and amino acids and uses it as a tissue component, especially in the joints, but production decreases with advancing age. Commercial glucosamine for dogs dosage supplements are manufactured from crustacean shellfish exoskeletons.
Chondroitin Characteristics
Chondroitin sulfate is also produced by the body -- in decreasing amounts with advancing age. Chondroitin, found in cartilage and synovial fluid, may contribute to joint tissue stability and repair. Since chondroitin is made from glucosamine, supplementation may not be more beneficial than glucosamine alone, but many veterinarians recommend both, and they are sold in combined form. Supplemental chondroitin is not absorbed as efficiently as glucosamine. Commercial chondroitin is extracted from mollusks and certain other marine invertebrates.
Chondroitin sulfate is also produced by the body -- in decreasing amounts with advancing age. Chondroitin, found in cartilage and synovial fluid, may contribute to joint tissue stability and repair. Since chondroitin is made from glucosamine, supplementation may not be more beneficial than glucosamine alone, but many veterinarians recommend both, and they are sold in combined form. Supplemental chondroitin is not absorbed as efficiently as glucosamine. Commercial chondroitin is extracted from mollusks and certain other marine invertebrates.
Indications for Supplementation
Glucosamine and chondroitin may be recommended for dogs with arthritis, joint injuries, hip dysplasia, lameness or other mobility impairments, disk injuries or disease, recurrent cystitis, and inflammatory urinary or gastric diseases.
Glucosamine and glucosamine-chondroitin preparations do not provide short-term pain relief and are not a replacement for temporary treatment with painkillers. However, a study published in "The Veterinary Journal" in 2007 indicates that anti-inflammatory effects of long-term glucosamine treatment compare favorably with long-term treatment using traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. While side effects are currently unknown, standard veterinary recommendations include monitoring the blood sugar of diabetic dogs undergoing glucosamine therapy.
Glucosamine and chondroitin may be recommended for dogs with arthritis, joint injuries, hip dysplasia, lameness or other mobility impairments, disk injuries or disease, recurrent cystitis, and inflammatory urinary or gastric diseases.
Glucosamine and glucosamine-chondroitin preparations do not provide short-term pain relief and are not a replacement for temporary treatment with painkillers. However, a study published in "The Veterinary Journal" in 2007 indicates that anti-inflammatory effects of long-term glucosamine treatment compare favorably with long-term treatment using traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. While side effects are currently unknown, standard veterinary recommendations include monitoring the blood sugar of diabetic dogs undergoing glucosamine therapy.
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