Canine glucosamine
Canine Glucosamine and Chondroitin
For the past 20 years, glucosamine and chondroitin have been used in Europe to treat osteoarthritis. Recently, it has been found that animals can benefit as well, which is why canine glucosamine was developed and is used in addition to chondroitin to help animals with arthritis. This means the average age of use is in a dog that is middle aged to older and the size of the dog is usually medium to large. This is due to the fact that dogs that are halfway through their lives on into their advanced years and of considerable size are more prone to developing arthritis. This arthritis will show up in their elbows, knees, and in their shoulders. This is due to cartilage loss or other damage that has been done. It is this loss of cartilage or damage that results in the response to canine glucosamine and chondroitin.
Canine Glucosamine for Arthritis
When a dog starts to limp or they seem stiff, especially in the mornings or during the winter, this is a sign that arthritis may be developing or has already developed. Your dog may have difficulty climbing stairs or running around like they used to. It can be rather disheartening to see because the dog that was once vibrant is now having problems with day-to-day living. The reason why canine glucosamine is so effective against arthritis is the fact that it is naturally found in the bodies of animals and is at its highest concentration in the cartilage. Unfortunately, degradation during the digestion process makes most of the glucosamine in an animal’s body unavailable for use. As they age, this lack of glucosamine causes the cartilage to deteriorate, which is what leads to arthritis. In order to manage that arthritis, a canine glucosamine supplement is needed.
Canine Glucosamine for Your Dog
As for how canine glucosamine works, it is quite complicated. There are several different cells in the cartilage and one of those cells is called chondrocytes. Chondrocytes are what is responsible for the formation of new cartilage. Through normal wear and tear, cartilage is worn down, but when glucosamine is low in the body, the chondrocytes have difficulty forming new cartilage. Eventually, they stop altogether, which is why canine glucosamine is given to dogs dealing with this condition. The glucosamine feeds the Chondrocytes, which, in turn, creates more cartilage.
Canine Glucosamine as Medicine
So, it is easy to see that canine glucosamine serves as a great medicine for dogs suffering from arthritis. The dose is going to vary from dog to dog for the fact that not all dogs have the same systems. It is good to make sure the dosage of canine glucosamine that is used for your animal is the right dose. If not, side effects could occur. Usually, the dose can be reduced if administered with food. Just make sure you understand that your dog will have to stay on the product for the rest of his or her life. This is to avoid any deterioration later on if the medicine is taken away. However, there should not be any reason to take a dog off of canine glucosamine for the fact that it alleviates the symptoms that are associated with arthritis.
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