Glucosamine HCI for Dogs
Glucosamine is used as a dietary supplement to help alleviate joint pain associated with arthritis. A visit to the veterinarian will give you guidance about whether or not glucosamine is a viable treatment option for your pet. Glucosamine exists in two forms: gluosamine HCI and glucosamine sulfate. Both may be effective for treating joint problems, though glucosamine HCI is generally preferred because it offers a greater amount of bioavailable glucosamine.
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Uses
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Glucosamine HCI is commonly used to treat joint diseases, such as osteoarthiritis and hip dysplasia. Arthritic problems can occur in any of the body's joints, but are most common in the dog's hip joints. Hip dysplasia happens when the naturally occurring cartilage between two joints wears away, forcing bone in direct contact with bone.
Function
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Glucosamine HCI functions in two manners to treat a dog's joint issues. First, the supplement helps to maintain and regenerate the damaged joints by working to restore natural cartilage. Second, the glucosamine serves as an anti-inflammatory, reducing swelling, and therefore pain. Both of these results work together to alleviate and treat your dog's condition.
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Dosing Guidelines
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The dosing of glucosamine HCI is contingent on the severity of the arthritis and your dog's weight. In general, a dosing guideline of 750 mg per 50 pounds of body weight should be followed, though dosing may increase based upon how treatment proceeds. Your dog's veterinarian should be consulted for a final dosing schedule. Glucosamine may be administered in either pill or liquid form.
Duration of Treatment
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Treatment should be maintained for a minimum of eight weeks to see results. Pet Education states, "cartilage degeneration will reoccur about four to six months after the product is discontinued." Once starting treatment, it must be ongoing for the rest of the dog's life for the benefits to continue. Discontinuing treatment will lead to a decline in joint degeneration.
Side Effects
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Severe side effects are extremely rare, and glucosamine is safe and suitable for long-term use. Occasionally, dogs may vomit or experience diarrhea when first starting treatment, but lowering the dosage, or giving the glucosamine with food, will often eliminate these side effects. Usually, after eight weeks, the dosage is lowered. However, ask your veterinarian before making any decisions.
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References
- Photo Credit dog image by Joanna Redesiuk from Fotolia.com
