i've never heard of actual injections. my dogs get pure MSM as a joint supplement and my senior girl, great dane 10 years old next month, gets monthly adequan injections. maybe that's what you mean?

hi ninapearl, not adequan, but actually glucosamine, its a series on injections, thanks . i checked the internet after my vet brought it up i like to hear from people who have used it on their pet, she did mention adequam too

interesting. i'll have to look around on the net and see, just out of curiosity. i use Chondroprotec which is the generic form of adequan and does a great job (and is much less expensive). there is a series of injections for 6 weeks, as i recall, as a loading dose and then just once a month thereafter. i give them myself at home.

jn,

My guess is that the info you've found is using the name 'glucosamine' in place of adequan or Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan. My understanding is that adequan is essentially glucosamine that is formulated as an injectable......it works a little differently but achieves the same goal. The article below may give you more info, but be aware that injections are no longer given in the muscle. According to my vet injections are now given sub-q (under the skin). They're much easier to give and, I assume, have fewer side effects.

Like nina, my dog also receives regular injections of adequan. It's seems to be helping and I was willing to try it since his stomach couldn't handle the oral supplements.

Taken from Web Site:

"Glucosamine is an amino acid that is present naturally in the body. It is a building block of condroitin sulfate and helps give synovial joint fluid its resilience and elasticity. In addition, it stimulates the production of glycosaminoglycans by joint cartilage and increases the utilization rate of chondroitin sulfate. Unfortunately there are no definitive studies that prove that the oral supplements reach the bloodstream to be available to the joints. There are many compounded forms of injectable glucosamine on the market. This product is recommended to be given a loading dose for the first month and then the horse can be maintained on monthly injections.

Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (Adequan) is a pharmaceutical drug regulated by the FDA and must be administered under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. This compound is a building block of the cartilage matrix. It is not the same molecule as glucosamine. Studies have proven that this compound inhibits degradation of cartilage and decreases inflammation. It also stimulates the synovial membrane and increases the viscosity of the synovial fluid. This product is given in the muscle once every 4 days for 28 days, then a monthly dose."

ninapearl, i think annztoo has cleared up some questions, I am really confused now. so maybe adequan and the injectable glucosamine is the same?????

it kind of sounds that way, the same or very similar! olivia has been getting the injections for almost a year. i noticed a huge improvement in her movement about 2 months in.

i was not aware that these injections can be given sub-q, i have always and still do give them im. i'll have to check with my vet.

sub q would be easier, my 9 yrs old mastiff can still take oral glucosamine/chondroitin but no more metacam, tummy trouble, so the vet was discussing alternatives . thanks everyone good discussion

metacam also raised her liver enzymes

minjeeah, i have mastiff

i will never have metacam in my house again!! combined with a sulpha drug for a UTI, the interaction from the 2 drugs destroyed her liver. i lost her 4 days after she started showing symptoms. i used to take metacam myself and i stopped because of the horror stories.

minjeeah, my mastiff is 9 years old

From what I've seen, they either work or don't, but you need to give it 6-8 weeks to see if it will work for him.