Can Adequan Help Treat Your Dog’s Arthritis? What to Know About This Injectable Medication 

It is exhausting to observe your as soon as agile, spry pup wrestle with joint ache and lameness. Many canine expertise joint degeneration because of ageing, previous surgical procedure, or accidents. Happily, there are various therapies out there to assist our canine companions really feel extra like their outdated selves. Adequan is one such possibility, and it will possibly even be used together with different joint therapies.

Canine with joint illness might present enchancment on Adequan. Learn on to be taught extra and determine if Adequan injections could also be useful to your canine.

Adequan is the model identify for polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG), an injectable drug that will sluggish the development of degenerative joint illness. It is utilized in veterinary medication to deal with canine and horses with joint ailments like arthritis. 

The precise mechanism of Adequan will not be identified, however according to the manufacturer, it might work within the following methods:

• Defend joints and stop or sluggish additional joint harm
• Scale back ache and irritation
• Stimulate cartilage exercise (but it surely can’t restore cartilage)
• Enhance synovial fluid in joints

Few research have been performed in recent times, however a 2007 study revealed that PSGAG is efficient in decreasing lameness in some canine with osteoarthritis. Adequan Canine is approved by the FDA to handle indicators of “non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic arthritis of canine synovial joints.”

In case your vet recommends Adequan, they’re going to probably give the injections within the clinic as a part of an outpatient go to. Nonetheless, your vet might be able to present you tips on how to give injections at residence in the event you’re up for it. Adequan is barely out there for buy with a sound prescription out of your vet. If you happen to determine to present the injections at residence, you may additionally must buy needles and syringes (which generally require a prescription, too, relying in your space).

Adequan injections are usually given right into a muscle. Therapies are normally really helpful twice weekly for as much as a month (eight injections most) at a dosage of 0.02 milligrams per pound of physique weight. Your vet might suggest barely totally different dosing relying in your canine’s wants.

Adequan is not going to treatment joint illness, however it will possibly scale back your canine’s signs for a interval of weeks, months, or extra. In case your canine begins displaying worsening indicators of ache and lameness after the preliminary sequence of injections, your vet might suggest upkeep injections of Adequan.

Adequan tends to work finest when given within the early levels of arthritis as a result of it will possibly decelerate joint degeneration. Though it might additionally sluggish the development of joint illness and ease some ache, it is sometimes simpler when used along with different therapies to handle osteoarthritis. Your vet may additionally suggest joint dietary supplements, NSAIDs (equivalent to carprofen), bodily remedy, acupuncture, and even natural treatments.

RELATED: Glucosamine for Canine Can Be Key to Maintaining Your Pup’s Joints Wholesome

Unwanted effects are unusual, however some canine expertise short-term bleeding, swelling, or ache on the injection web site. Diarrhea was reported in just a few animals within the research. These unwanted side effects sometimes resolve on their very own with out the necessity to cease Adequan injections. Nonetheless, report any unwanted side effects to your vet straight away. Although uncommon, some canine might not tolerate the drug effectively. 

Adequan is taken into account protected to make use of in canine of all ages, breeds, and sizes. Nonetheless, it has not been researched in pregnant or lactating canine. Adequan ought to be used with warning in canine who’ve kidney or liver illness. 

As a result of PSGAG is an artificial heparinoid (it has some pharmacological similarity to the blood thinner heparin) it might trigger some extra bleeding. Due to this, Adequan shouldn’t be utilized in canine with identified or suspected bleeding issues.

Earlier than beginning Adequan to your canine, you’ll want to inform your vet about any medicines or dietary supplements your canine will get. Though there aren’t any identified drug interactions, some drug mixtures might result in undesired results.