Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: fluffybunny on October 23, 2009, 20:04:13 PM

Title: Which glucosamine supplement?
Post by: fluffybunny on October 23, 2009, 20:04:13 PM

My beloved monster Milly has just been diagnosed with mild arthritis in the spine...the vet has told me to start giving her a glucosamine supplement, but the question is - which one?  There are so many out there, where do you start  :Crazy:  Would ideally like something palatable as she's a pretty fussy eater and can spot a tablet in her food at 50 sniffs!

Any advice/suggestions gratefully received. Thanks :wow:

Title: Re: Which glucosamine supplement?
Post by: Christine (Blip) on October 23, 2009, 20:11:04 PM

I'm assured that Cortaflex liquid is generally well-accepted but Blip - who is also very picky about what's in her food - won't take it.  However she happily eats Cosequin powder (from capsules) mixed into her (wet food) breakfast.

I can send you a Cosequin capsule in the post, if you want to try it?

Title: Re: Which glucosamine supplement?
Post by: bonnielass on October 23, 2009, 23:02:56 PM

I used to use Synoquin but have also found that a drop of cod liver oil is just as good both George and Eddie (my two oldies ) have a bit in their food every day and its done wonders for them and their coats :hug:

Title: Re: Which glucosamine supplement?
Post by: swampmaxmum on October 24, 2009, 09:54:36 AM

my vet insists that cystease and cystaid are pretty much the same thing (one is more expensive than the other). cystease capsules are size 2 (I think). Can you pill her? It may be easier than trying to get her to eat it in her food. Poor Milly, hope she's keeping warm  :hug:

Title: Re: Which glucosamine supplement?
Post by: fluffybunny on October 24, 2009, 11:00:16 AM

Thanks all - yes I can pill her, but in the long term I think it would be far less stressful if I can sneak something in her food!

Christine - that would be fantastic if you wouldn't mind - I'll pm you my address, thanks  :wow:  Milly seems to have gained a new lease of life since starting the metacam, yesterday she was legging it around the garden like a kitten  :Crazy:  Vet says it's still very mild and we've caught it early...but she said that's what she expects from me...I'm not sure if that's a compliment or a recognition of a paranoid owner  :rofl:

Incidentally - is there any difference in the glucosamine in things like cystease, which is badged as being for urinary tract problems, as opposed to some of the other glucosamine products which are sold badged for arthritis?

Title: Re: Which glucosamine supplement?
Post by: Christine (Blip) on October 24, 2009, 11:22:00 AM

I'll pop the capsule in the post on Monday, fluffybunny.  I don't know what's in the urinary tract mendications but I imagine they may conatin other active ingredients besides glucosamine.  But I reiterate, I don't know.

I've been wondering about cod liver oil, bonnielass.  Does anyone else have good experience of this for those of us with arthritic cats?

Title: Re: Which glucosamine supplement?
Post by: fluffybunny on October 24, 2009, 11:27:46 AM

Thanks so much Christine!

I think I'd worry about the vitamin A content in Cod Liver Oil - it's a fat soluble vitamin so wouldn't it accumulate in the liver, I think I'd worry about the long-term impact of that.  Not really sure though, so interested to hear more too  :wow:

Title: Re: Which glucosamine supplement?
Post by: Millys Mum on October 24, 2009, 19:01:08 PM

I read there is a difference between the glucosamine for bladders and for joints so would always go for the appropriate product.
Cosequin is what i used and find the fussiest of eaters will consume it without noticing  ;D
With glucosamine its important to get the hydrochloride version not the sulphate version which is the much cheaper one  ;)

Title: Re: Which glucosamine supplement?
Post by: fluffybunny on October 24, 2009, 19:40:32 PM

Thankies!

Please excuse my ignorance - why is it important to go for HCL rather than sulphate?  Also, the cortaflex seems to be component parts of glucosamine which it says are more easily absorbed so the body can make its own...does this mean it's HCL, sulphate, or neither  :Crazy:

Title: Re: Which glucosamine supplement?
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on October 24, 2009, 20:27:13 PM

Am sure i read that cats shouldnt have fish liver oils but can't remember where. I have used quite a few supplements, but Molly is incredibly fussy, think there was only the Arthri-Aid we got to use for any length of time.

Title: Re: Which glucosamine supplement?
Post by: Janeyk on October 24, 2009, 20:31:11 PM

As far as I know excess vitamin A from Cod Liver Oil or liver can be toxic to cats

Title: Re: Which glucosamine supplement?
Post by: Mark on October 24, 2009, 20:41:08 PM

I think too much vitamin A depletes the vitamin E which is one of the really important vitamins for cats. I think it is the way a lot of things work in synergy such as calcium/Phosphorus.

Fish oil (from Holland & Barrett etc) is good stuff - they have a BOGOHP offer throughout the store right now.

Title: Re: Which glucosamine supplement?
Post by: Fire Fox on October 24, 2009, 21:35:05 PM

Another vote for fish oils - the active constituent of cod liver oil is omega 3, but there is a far higher concentration in fish body oil than cod liver oil.

Title: Re: Which glucosamine supplement?
Post by: Millys Mum on October 25, 2009, 19:01:03 PM

Cortaflex is the bees knees, have seen it do wonders in horses, HCl is more easily used by the body so thats what makes it better   ;D