Glucosamine and Chondroitin

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I read that the glucosamine and chondriotin found in pet supplements (with some exceptions) do not contain the amounts that the dogs need so I have decided to give my older dogs human glucosamine and chondriotin. My vet told me to use the same dosage I would use for myself. I would appreciate your thoughts on this.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

From what I've been able to find on-line while researching this, it seems the general consensus is that the effective dose for treating osteoarthritis in dogs 750 mg/50 lbs. Don't know how that compares to the dosage you're taking.
I think human quality anything is better than the "dog version" of the same thing; there are better safety standards & quality controls.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you, Karen - that is less than the bottle directions so I will adjust accordingly. I thought it might be different - dogs weigh less than humans. The vet's office did advise us NOT to give it to Ned as a young dog. What is your opinion on that. I have found that the vet techs are not always up on anything more than their opinions.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Has anyone seen any scientific evidence that these supplements are efficacious in dogs? They are not in humans.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Do I need to look up efficacious?????

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sorry,Nancy, it means effective. these supplements, as widely known and sold as they are have not been shown to be effective in people. I took them myself for years but gave up when more studies came out. I saw no point in throwing money away and I already clank from all the pills I take.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

A September 2009 article from Mayo Clinic states that glucosamine has been shown effective in the management of osteoarthritis, particularly of the knee:
"Available evidence from randomized controlled trials supports the use of glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of osteoarthritis, particularly of the knee. It is believed that the sulfate moiety provides clinical benefit in the synovial fluid by strengthening cartilage and aiding glycosaminoglycan synthesis. If this hypothesis is confirmed, it would mean that only the glucosamine sulfate form is effective and non-sulfated glucosamine forms are not effective.
Glucosamine is commonly taken in combination with chondroitin, a glycosaminoglycan derived from articular cartilage. Use of complementary therapies, including glucosamine, is common in patients with osteoarthritis, and may allow for reduced doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents."
Here's the article with information on evidence based on studies:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/glucosamine/NS_patient-glucosamine...
I have seen similar information re: the effectiveness of glucosamine on OA in studies conducted on dogs.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Consumer Reports Health.org

Latest on glucosamine and chondroitin

These arthritis supplements aren't standing up well to recent scientific scrutiny. Two 2008 studies couldn't find any clear benefits for the pills. That follows other negative findings over the past several years. However, researchers say that the supplements might help certain patients, and other studies are ongoing. If you decide to try the pills, keep a daily record of your symptoms and stop taking the supplements after three months if you see no improvement.

Consumer Reports Health.org from the editor of the British Journal of Medicine

Americans spend $33.9 billion a year on alternative medicine

Vitamins supplements natural medicine In a time of trillion-dollar stimulus packages and billion-dollar bailouts, what once seemed like staggering amounts of money now sound almost ordinary. Even so, it got my attention when I read that Americans spend $33.9 billion a year on complementary and alternative medicine. That's $33.9 billion out of people's own pockets, not counting anything paid for by insurance companies, and not counting money spent on vitamin or mineral supplements. It's about the same as Canada's total drug bill for a year. It sounds less sensational when you work out that every adult in the U.S. spends just shy of $150 each year, but even so, it's clear that alternative medicine is a huge industry.
The obvious question is: Are people wasting their money? One person who'd argue that they are is British pharmacologist Professor David Colquhoun. He says that one of the main problems with complementary and alternative medicine is the definition dilemma. It goes like this. Once a treatment is shown to work, it stops being alternative, and becomes part of mainstream medicine. For example, willow bark was a traditional remedy for pains and fever, but discoveries in the 1800s led to the isolation of the active ingredient, salicylic acid. With some further development, this became aspirin, and it’s now a mainstream medicine.

A large chunk of the money ($14.8 billion) was spent on supplements (other than vitamins) and herbal remedies, such as fish oil, glucosamine, and echinacea. To pick one example, glucosamine is a supplement made from shellfish that aims to help with joint pain. While there have been some promising studies, these tend to be poor quality. In the good-quality trials, pain relief was no better with glucosamine than with inactive, placebo pills.

Given the uncertainty surrounding alternative medicine, what attracts the 4 in 10 Americans who choose to use it? It must be more complicated that the fact that people don't always have access to good Fish oil supplements information about how well the products work. Some people might have been disappointed by mainstream medicine, perhaps because of treatments that didn't help, unpleasant side effects, or poor communication with their doctor. Using alternative treatments can be a way to make your own decisions and take control of your treatment, which may help reduce anxiety.

It seems to me that there's nothing wrong with choosing to use borderline-effective or unproven treatments, as long as everyone's clear about what's happening, and people get what they pay for. However, this brings us to another problem with alternative medicine. To keep using glucosamine as an example, researchers have warned that "in North America, glucosamine is not regulated, and the pills may or may not truly contain the amount described on the label."
Given the billions spent on complementary and alternative medicine in the U.S., it's clear there's not a shortage of buyers. It may be helpful to remember that old piece of advice: let the buyer beware.

What you need to know. If you choose complementary or alternative medicine, try to do your research and be clear about the risks and benefits you can expect. Don't assume natural products are always safe, and make sure you tell your doctor if you're taking alternative products on top of conventional medicines.

—Philip Wilson, patient editor, BMJ Group

ConsumerReportsHealth.org has partnered with The BMJ Group (British Medical Journal) to monitor the latest medical research and assess the evidence to help you decide which news you should use.

Find out which supplements you should avoid, get more news on natural medicines, and to check the effectiveness and safety of supplements and herbals, take a look at our Natural Medicines Ratings (subscribers only).

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I guess if I have to decide between Mayo & Consumer Reports, I'll go with Mayo. :-)
Seriously, if you research this, you find evidence equally split on the effectiveness; one consistent factor seems to be that it's the sulfate form of glucosamine that is effective and the hydrocloride form that isn't. It also seems to depend on the type of pain. And of course, on who's sponsoring the study. Not surprisingly, NSAIDs manufacturers' studies seem to elicit the worst results, lol.
I personally would give it a try, since it isn't harmful, and if it helps even a little, it would sure be preferable to having a dog living on Rimadyl.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Consumer reports is my bible and the second reference came from the editor of the British Medical Journal. At any rate I certainly didn't find the supplements helped me and ended up on NSAIDs, although I do worry about side effects. I don't think there's a downside with these particular supplements and they'd be preferable if they work.

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

If I might just toss an additional thought here for consideration. How many billion do Americans spend on traditional or non alternative medicine? And a measure of effectiveness? This honestly is not meant to be critical or to provoke. I merely think that perhaps we should keep our minds open. So very often we treat symptoms but never address the underlying problem. Health care of humans and our furkids should be far more than symptom management and as you are aware prevention goes a long way. I should also add that I am not opposed to prescriptive medications, they certainly have their place.

I am friend not foe F. Parker, please remember I only toss this thought under your response not as a negative to you, only because it fits best here.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am a great advocate for prevention rather having to treat a condition that has already developed. I have no qualms with alternative medicine and I try to keep my mind open even though my training was certainly in traditional medicine. Some newer alternative preventive measures, provided they are as far as is known not harmful, are worth trying until evidence comes along about effectiveness. Some supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin, have been around a long time, and in my interpretation of the articles out there, have not been shown to be effective but I see no harm in taking them if you want to, aside from cost. My cousin is currently suffering severe pain from shingles. Having seen my own mother suffer from this, I was vaccinated against it several years ago. I urged my cousin to have the vaccine several months ago but she did not get vaccinated. I often say we are our own best doctor but we don't always know all the facts nor do we do everything that we should. Certainly that's true in my case but I try to make informed decisions, do the best I can and offer my opinions perhaps too freely : )

[shelly]

Well, first hand I can tell you that I took them and it really did not help me... so I would be interested in seeing what effect it has on dogs.