Question about glucosamine with chondroitin

[Ghilly]

My collie is seven years old.  The other day she jumped down about five or six stairs to a landing because she was chasing the birds that were in the tree growing beside the stairs.  Since then she has been kind of "ouchy" on one of her hind legs, but it seems to be working itself out because once she's up and moving, she's pretty normal.  The thing is, for the last couple of weeks, even before the bird-chasing incident, I've noticed her kind of slowing down and having a bit more trouble than usual getting up off the floor after she's been laying in one position for a while, so I'm thinking that she's probably starting to show her age a bit.

I would like to put her on a glucosamine with chondroitin product, but (and here's my question and the reason for my post), is a human product OK to use or do I need to get her a veterinary product like Cosequin?  Also, in the event that it's OK to use a glucosamine with chondroitin product that you can buy OTC from the grocery or health food store, what would the dosage be for a 50 pound dog?  

I posted this to the Expert Forum but when I went back to see if I had a response I couldn't even find my post!  LOL  So I decided to re-post it here where I know how to find it again so I can actually read the responses I get!  

Ghilly

[Ghilly]

It's so awful to see them start getting old, isn't it?   I never even thought about them having a problem with shellfish, but I guess they have the same problems with food allergies that people have.  Fortunately, she has eaten shrimp several times with no ill effects, so I'm hoping that the glucosamine won't be problematic for her.  Since she can eat shrimp, I doubt that it will.

I'm hoping that we get good results as well, and that we see improvements in short order instead of having it take weeks and weeks to see something.  I'll keep everyone posted as to how she does on it.  Thanks so much for your input!  :)

Ghilly

[AireScottie]

Both my dogs have started having the same problem from age.  The Scottie can't eat shellfish, and also ended up having trouble with the G/C tablets, but my Airedale is doing great on it.  Omega-3 is also supposed to help with joints, so both mine are also on Flax Oil (people pills).  Omega-3 also comes in Fish Oil.  Hope you get some good results!

[Ghilly]

Ginger, thanks so much for your quick response!  I am going to send DH off tomorrow in search of tablets that only contain glucosamine/chondroitin.  His knees are really hurting him, as well, so both he and Kate will be on it as soon as he finds what we're looking for.  I hope it works as quickly for my little family as it did for yours!   Thanks again!

Ghilly

[ginger899]

I had the same question a while back, in the Spring. Misty had been showing a bit of  possible arthritis in her right hind leg which was broken once. I asked the vet about this because I didn't want to pay premium prices for a "pet brand" Glucosamine, and he said Glucosamine is exactly the same substance, whether it's formulated in a preparation for dogs, or people. And Chondroitin is the same. I believe they are both natural substances obtained from shellfish.The difference lies in what other things might be added, and the dosage levels.

So I hunted round to find a capsule which ONLY contained Glucosamine/Chondroitin, and no other additives. Then I calculated the dosage for her of both. She weighs 28 lbs approx. Her dosage is (max.) 500mg. Glucosamine, and 200 Chondroitin. I found a supplier of tablets (a reputable shop ) on ebay UK where the tablets only contain these two supplements, and in this amount (apart from a few usual things which are added to pills in manufacture, and these substances are harmless enough to her, I checked this with the vet) Occasionally I have to buy  tablets which contain Glucosamine 500 and Chondroitin a slightly lesser amount.

So I guess for a 50lb dog, you are talking about 1000mg Glucosamine, and 400mg Chondroitin That would be 2 of the tablets I give Misty one of. I think it's usually best to give the tablets spread out during the day, say one in the morning, one at night.

I take them myself, 3 a day......magic for my knee which had started to play up a bit.
And with both Misty and myself the effect didn't take long to happen. With some people, apparently it can be weeks before any benefit is felt. In Misty's case it took about 4 days! In mine, about 10.