? 2/8/18 | Darwin - update and glucosamine Q's

[Tasha & Darwin]

Condo

Happy Thursday L&LL! I was so glad to see Darwin come back to his regular numbers. I was searching his Orbax label for the inactive ingredients to see if maybe there was sugar of some kind in it, but came up with no answers. Kinda figured his numbers may have risen sooner if that were the case, but IDK. Anyway, he is done with Orbax now, and doing well.

He is still having diarrhea, but feeling well at least. I am going to start him on the SEB today - does anyone have info on dosing?

I have a question about our civvie, Ben. He's on Gaba (just increased), Bupe, and Pred for chronic arthritis/spine injury. My girlfriend has not been giving him glucosamine as of late, and I think we need to add some in. He's just been having a hard time getting around again, and has been urinating on the dog/cat beds again Does everyone just recommend Cosequin? Or is there a better brand? I am going to add it into all three kitty's food as Darwin had some mild arthritis in his elbows on his recent radiographs - incidental finding.

Any info would be great! We are also looking at starting him on Adequan injections as well.

Sending vines to all the kitties and beans in need!

 

[LuvinThisPig]

Now, this is just my experience, but I have been dealing with arthritis and stiffness with Pig far longer than the diabetes, so I know a touch. Pig was born with a malformed hind leg and it has always sort of given him issues, more so as of late. I tried everything from holistic remedies to cosequin. My vet chimed in on the cosequin stating that she had just returned from a vet conference which released the finding a of a long term study on the effectiveness of both cosequin and dasequin. Both showed to be no better than placebo pills for joint repair and did absolutley nothing for pain...

I will concur as I used these for a while with Pig and saw little to no results. So, we started Adequan. A little pricy in the start up, but I will say without a shadow of a doubt that it was the miracle that turned things around for him. After the third injection his movement, strength, and pain were much better and you could visibly see it. My honest opinion? Save the cash and spend it on adequan.

 

[Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey]

I have heard good things about Adequan. I believe Wendy gave it (the name is different in Canada) to Neko with success. I tried it with Sasha, but it was too late to help her - the damage from her radiation was too severe. I say it's worth a shot.

I also gave Cosequin to Harvey for years. Multiple vets felt it was a good idea, and wouldn't hurt if it didn't help. Duralactin was another med we tried.

SEB dosing:

Bring to a boil then simmer 1 teaspoon of slippery elm bark powder (“SEB”) in 1 cup of water, whisking it, for 3 – 4 minutes. It will thicken as it cools. Store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also put the 1 teaspoon of powder in a microwave safe cup, add 1 cup cold water, stir. Cook on high 30 seconds, stir. Repeat. Then cook on 50% power for 3 – 4 minutes, stirring several times along the way. It will thicken as it cools. Give kitty 3 – 5ML or one (up to 2) teaspoon 45 minutes to half an hour before a meal to help settle the tummy. You can either mix with water in a small dish to thin it out (many cats do not like the sticky texture), if you need to sprinkle something on top to entice them to eat it up, freeze dried meat or liver treats are plain and often do the trick. If you need to use a syringe, the syrup works easily in one. This can be used three – four times a day. You can also mix the SEB syrup with one-half teaspoon of DISTILLED aloe vera juice (so the latex has been removed) once or twice a day for a boost in soothing and healing. In the U.S. and Canada, George’s Aloe Vera Juice, though not organic, has no preservatives and is distilled, it has NO taste. Lily of the Desert brand aloe vera juice is organic and made from the inner leaf only (so no latex), but it is a bit bitter so many cats will not take to it.

 

[jayla-n-Drevon]

Adequan is amazing! I have been giving it to my boys for years now. Rico will be 20 this August and Dre will be 19.

I now give a shot weekly (there is a loading dose)
some can go a month in between shots but for my boys weekly keeps them trotting up and down 4 flights of stairs and jumping on the bed. As mentioned it can be pricey especially the loading dose (a shot every 4 days for 2 weeks if I remember correctly)

If you start before there is too much arthritis is best as it slows the progression but will not reverse the damage already done although it seems to help alleviate some discomfort.

No side effects I have ever seen with mine or my clients (grooming shop)

If you vet charges more than 70$ a vial I would ask for a script and get it online.
I give SQ not IM