Dasuquin or Cosequin? Which do you & your doodle & vet prefer?

[Emily]

Saw the Orthopedic Surgeon today. He discouraged any other brand other than Dasuquin or Cosequin. His reasons were based on absorption rates & percentages. I don't really want to discuss other brand options because I have chosen to take the advice of our vet and the orthopedic specialist even tho this will cost much more. So I'd love to hear your opinions on these two supplements:

Do you use the granules, capsules, chewables? Which one does your vet prefer and why?  Which one does your doodle like? Right now both are on sale at Petmeds but the dosage is different depending on the type you choose so taking that into consideration, I'm trying to make a decision and your opinions would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Emily]

Are they the soft chews? The chewable ones are hard brown tablets...my dog just looks at me like I'm nuts! I have to crush them and sprinkle them on her food and hope she eats all her food. She really isn't food driven so if you use the hard ones, does your dog just eat them like without a problem?

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

Cosmo takes one of the Cosequin chewables twice a day. He likes them and eats them readily.

I understand that Dasuquin is "the next generation" after Cosequin, but we haven't tried it yet. We bought a 250 tablet bottle of Cosequin and we still have a lot left, but I am seriously considering trying Dasuquin when we run out.

You might also check Amazon.com. Their prices on some items are lower than sale prices on PetMeds.

[Emily]

Why do you want to switch? Do you use the soft chewy kind? On wag.com they have the soft chewy Dasuquin on sale! I ordered some in hopes Mabel will eat them better than the hard ones.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

Cosmo gets the double-strength chewable tablets (Cosequin DS). They are hard, but he likes them. But then, he will be two in May--I don't know if he would have eaten them as a puppy.

The reason I am thinking about switching is that Cosmo had an unusual orthopedic situation--one of the bones in his foreleg had stopped growing too soon, and it caused loss of cartilage in that elbow. He has had two surgeries to correct the bone situation, but, of course, the missing cartilage is still a problem.

He has been on Cosequin DS for several months now, and he had a 5-shot round of Adequan in December. But I am not really seeing a noticeable improvement.

Since the Dasuquin says it is newer and has a new proprietary formulation, I thought we would give it a try. I am not convinced that these supplements actually make a big difference, but I am willing to keep searching for something that might make Cosmo more comfortable.

I think, for Mabel (what a darling name for a darling dog), the Dasuquin soft chews are a good choice. I don't think the tablet vs. chewie makes any difference. If we were starting now, I would probably get the Dasuquin, too!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sadly, I don't think glucosamine chondroitin supplements make a big difference either and that's what studies say too. There is some evidence in people that SAM-e may help in cartilage repair. It is available for dogs. I started it several months ago for myself.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

Thanks, F! I will check out the SAM-e.

The good part of the story is that, even though Cosmo seems to be uncomfortable (some limping or lifting that leg when he stands still), it has not affected his willingness to run, swim, or play. He is his same, happy-go-lucky self.

I'm the only one who's worried about it!

[Emily]

That is wonderful that his spirits are up and he wants to play!  Mine will do the same...limping or lifting the leg. Mabels dr said her hips were too loose and unstable. So the running gives her pain. She also has a funny walk. She swings her rear end side to side like a model on a cat walk. The Orthopedic vet said it's related. I do think that is cute to look at, but I'm sure not fun for her. Earlier in the week when Mabel was really sick, she just did not move for anything. When I got her up she stood still and would not follow me. I tossed a ball and didn't respond. That made me cry and I called the vet right away. She is so much better and is playing again. So far she's been comfortable.  Wag.Com sent me the Dasuquin soft chews over night for free since the order was over $49.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

Emily, I am so hoping the Dasuquin will help sweet Mabel. Please let us know!

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Hi Emily.  We use Dasuquin, but I forgot to tell you the other day that you can buy a bottle of the chewable tablets for large dogs and cut them in half to get the right dosage for your puppy at a lower per/dose cost.

[Emily]

lol, I need to change my profile. She is now 17 months and over 60lbs so I have to buy the large dog bottle.  :)

[Sue and Buddy]

I used a different brand for my sweet old Cody. He was 11 when he passed over to the Rainbow Bridge in December 2011. I want to say that I could tell a big difference in his movement and pain level after he had been on the supplements for about a month or so. His supplement included Hyaluronic Acid and MSM. If one of the ones you are looking at include those, I would go with them.