Cosequin Review: Does It Really Work? (We Asked A Vet)
As a veterinarian, I see more and more elderly patients. On one hand, this is wonderful to see our loved fur-babies living long healthy lives but unfortunately, I also see more arthritis and mobility issues that impact upon the quality of life for these pups and their owners. We have no cure for these ailments, all we can try to do is help slow progression of these degenerative diseases and to ease any pain felt by our canine companions, though as you have probably heard throughout your life – “prevention is better than cure” which is why there are so many supplements available for both ourselves and our fur-babies. One well-respected company is Nutramax which makes a range of products for dogs and cats, including Cosequin for dogs.
132 tablets
120 soft chews
250 chewable tablets
110 capsules/chewable tablets
Table Of Contents
- What is Cosequin for dogs?
- Cosequin products Reviews
- Cosequin DS Plus MSM
- How does Cosequin DS Plus MSM work?
- Cosequin DS Plus MSM Active Ingredients
- Benefits of using Cosequin DS Plus MSM
- Does Cosequin work?
- Conditions that may be treated/prevented
- Recommended doses
- Side Effects
- How long before results may be seen?
- 5 Tips to Know before Buying
- How to choose the best hip and joint supplement for your dog?
- Dog Joint Health – Prevention & Care
- How do you know if your dog needs a hip or joint supplement?
(132 tablets)
Our Rating
What We Like About It
- Available in a range of concentrations for all size pets
- Safe with scientific literature to support claims
What We Don't Like
- May not be suitable for very fussy eaters who don't like tablet form treats
- Some pets may have mild gastrointestinal upsets if given without food
(120 soft chews)
Our Rating
What We Like About It
- Also helps with your dog's skin to give a glossy coat
- Delicious soft chews loved by most pets
What We Don't Like
- Needs a higher dose in the initial loading phase for 4-6 weeks
- Not suitable for pups under 10lbs
(250 chewable tablets)
Our Rating
What We Like About It
- This formula is also available in capsules
- Scientifically proven formula
What We Don't Like
- Glucosamine is derived from shellfish which may not be suitable if your pet has allergies
- May not suit very fussy eaters
(110 capsules/chewable tablets)
Our Rating
What We Like About It
- Scientific research backs up the supplement's claims
- Easily administered via either chewable tablet or capsule that can be hidden with food
What We Don't Like
- Glucosamine derived from shellfish which may be of concern if your pet has allergies
- Some very fussy pets may not like the capsule form
Some Key Features:
Not new to the market, Cosequin has been around for more than two decades4 but research regarding joint health is continuing to this day and will continue, improving our understanding of joint repair mechanisms.
Through research, Nutramax has developed proprietary formulations of glucosamine hydrochloride and sodium chondroitin sulfate to support and maintain canine joint health. Earlier studies showed that these ingredients aid in maintenance of the joint’s cartilage matrix while preventing its destruction5.
Cartilage is the cushioned surface within joints that is very resistant to destruction when accompanied by the lubricating joint fluid and strong bones underneath. One problem is that cartilage doesn’t have it’s own blood supply and relies on the bone and joint fluid to provide nutrition.
If damage occurs in any component of a joint, enzymes are released that start to break down areas of the joint, and if left unchecked serious damage can occur which leads to pain and arthritis. While research is continuing to reveal more factors related to cartilage breakdown, Cosequin has been shown to help maintain a healthy turnover of cartilage4.
FCHG49TM* Glucosamine
Glucosamine acts as one of the building blocks for a healthy cartilage scaffold by providing this essential nutrient to support cartilage cell function.
TRH122TM* Chondroitin Sulfate
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
Manganese ascorbate
- Improved comfort when exercising
- Increased interest in exercise and returning to normal energy levels
- May slow progression of joint disease
- Delay onset of painful signs of osteoarthritis
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Traumatic injury of cartilage
- Osteoarthritis
- Cruciate and stifle disorders
- Choose a supplement with glucosamine hydrochloride (HCl) or glucosamine sulfate, some supplements have glucosamine potassium chloride (KCl) which some consider to be of poorer quality than the others.
- Supplements with both chondroitin and glucosamine are most appropriate as they may work synergistically to prevent destruction of joints.
- A supplement that also includes methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) may help with digestibility while MSM is also known to prevent cartilage breakdown.
- Chondroitin can interfere with blood's ability to clot so if your fur-baby has any blood disorder, then you should consult your veterinarian before starting any supplementation.
- Glucosamine is often derived from shellfish so you should ensure the source is suitable for your pet if they have any food sensitivities or allergies.
- Don't expect fast results, while some people notice a difference within their pet's mobility and interest in play within a few weeks it can take over 6 weeks to see a significant improvement in your fur-baby's comfort levels.
- Consider how you will get your pet to take this supplement (capsule, liquid, chew treat, etc). This may be particularly important if your pup is fussy with food.
- Value! Supplements are expensive so you should ensure you're getting appropriate concentrations of the active ingredients for the price you're paying. Independent certification of a product is generally a good indicator that the product contains what's stated on the package.
Similar to ourselves, our fur-babies can suffer from joint pain, either due to trauma, old age degenerative changes or some congenital diseases such as hip or elbow dysplasia.
Some breeds such as German Shepherds, Labradors or Spaniels are prone to certain joint diseases such as cruciate disease, osteoarthritis or inflammation of growth plates.
Joint supplements may be invaluable for some of these dogs and you might consider starting your pup on a supplement before any clinical signs of discomfort are evident.
Veterinarians have advocated for the use of joint supportive compounds such as glucosamine and chondroitin which have been shown to have positive effects on dogs with osteoarthritis1.
Not all supplements, however, are created equal so you may wish to undertake some research into any products you may consider.
This review article aims to help provide you some more information about one of the well-known brands on the market, Cosequin2. Glucosamine and chondroitin are both involved in building cartilage and may prevent a further breakdown during osteoarthritis.
Glucosamine may also have anti-inflammatory action while supporting production of synovial fluid which provides lubrication within the joints.
Deciding when to start your pup on any supplementation can be a difficult decision; it’s important to remember that these are not treatments but may help support your pet’s joint health.
You may want to start your fur-baby on such a supplement before any signs of pain are evident, particularly if their breed is one at an increased risk such as many large and giant dog breeds.
If, however, you’re beginning to notice some of the signs listed below or your pooch has been diagnosed with a hip or joint mobility disorder they may still benefit from the support provided by these supplements.
- Limping, reluctance to jump
- Stiff or slow to rise or lie down
- Reluctance to exercise or starts resting more than usual
- Difficulty using stairs and steps
- Excessive panting, particularly on a relaxed walk
- Crying or whining when getting up or guarding an area from being stroked
In conclusion
References
1. McCarthy, G., J. O’Donovan, B. Jones, H. McAllister, M. Seed and C. Mooney (2007). Randomised double-blind, positive-controlled trial to assess the efficacy of glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate for the treatment of dogs with osteoarthritis. The Veterinary Journal 174 (1) pp54-61
2. Buyue, Y. and J.P. Sheehan (2009). Fucosylated chondroitin sulfate inhibits plasma thrombin generation via targeting of the factor Ixa heparin-binding exosite. Blood 114 (14) pp3092-3100
3. Das Jr., A. And T.A. Hammad (2000). Efficacy of a combination of FCHG49TM glucosamine hydrochloride, TRH122TM low molecular weight sodium chondroitin sulfate and manganese ascorbate* in the management of knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 8(5) pp343-350
