Glucosamine is an amino sugar that appears to improve the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans, one of the building blocks of cartilage. Glucosamine is a naturally occurring compound and is one of the more popular over-the counter arthritis therapies. Glucosamine itself, which is also sometimes referred to as chitosamine, is an amino sugar which occurs naturally in the dog’s body, mainly in the cartilage and some types of joints in the dogs skeleton. Glucosamine is also found in the dog’s claws, tendons, eyes, skin, bones, heart valves and ligaments. It is an important part of the canine’s overall health.
Cartilage is a supportive tissue that helps joints move smoothly, but as your dog ages his body uses glucosamine in the cartilage faster than it can be produced. The cartilage then starts to break down and arthritis occurs in the joints, particularly in the legs and hips. This starts a cycle of joint degeneration. Glucosamine carries anti-inflammatory properties. When any part of the connective tissue is injured, special cells called fibroblasts produce large amounts of hyaluronic acid to activate healing.
There have been side effects observed in patients taking glucosamine, including allergies specifically among those who are allergic to shellfish, fatigue, insomnia, excessive thirst and urination occurs when the dose is very high, since it is a sugar-based substance, some veterinarians are not in favor about its use in dogs as it could cause diabetes. Glucosamine for dogs only brings the level of glucosamine in the canines body back to the normal amount found in healthy dogs. This means your dog must continue to take glucosamine for the rest of its life in order to experience the relief from arthritic pains. Never give medications or supplements designed for humans to your dog. Always consult with your vet before starting any medication for your pooch.
