 Barked: Tue May 17, '11 10:30am PST |
 | |  | | AHA - It took me a lot less time than I expected to find it only because the other Dogster included my sent Pmail in their Pmail to me!! Ala it annoys me we do not have a sent mail box because I lose alot of good writeups that way 
Anywho --> This is primarily about Cartrophen (a similar medication to Adequan but less expensive --- its availability seems to vary due to vet and socio-economic-status of area --- however a lot of the info overlaps so it may be helpful for you.....
"I am not that familiar with Cartrophen. I have used Adequan somewhat when I was in GP. Adequan is a comparable medication made by another manufacturer. They are both injectable PSGAG's (Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan) and studies generally support the same efficacy for both so for the most part it ends up being availability for why one is used over the other. Adequan has been reported to be more expensive than Cartrophen.
So I did some research on this on a vet only medical site and came up with a couple interesting things.
In general the formularies suggest a certain dosage for the average patient but many vets use it differently with success. The major concern with Cartrophen is that is has a side effect of potentially causing clotting problems (IE bleeding problems). Basically PSGAG's are chemically similar to heparin they (just like heparin) inhibit the bodies ability to adequetly produce clotting factors. However PSGAG's have 1/15th the anticoagulant strength of heparin.
Potentially if this went innoticed or undiagnosed it could end in death from internal or external bleeding. It seems that this risk is compounded when NSAIDs (like metacam, rimadyl, etc), heparin or aspirin are given 1-2 days before or after the injection date.
There was a study done in UK RE: Safety of Cartrophen in dogs. Here is a summary of what was found.
"Safety of Cartrophen Vet in the dog: review of adverse reaction reports in the UK
J Small Anim Pract. May 2003;44(5):202-8.
R L Hannon1, J G Smith, D Cullis-Hill, P Ghosh, M J Hope Cawdery
1 Biopharm Australia Pty, 111 Bronte Road, Bondi Junction, NSW 2022, Australia.
Abstract
Suspected adverse reactions (SARs) reported for Cartrophen Vet (100 mg sodium pentosan polysulphate/ml) to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate in the UK for the period January 1991 to October 1999 were reviewed. Of the 161 reports, 28 were probably product related, 54 were possibly product related, 71 were unlikely to be related and eight were unclassified. An estimated real incidence of adverse reactions probably and possibly associated with Cartrophen Vet of 0.074 per cent on an individual dose basis was calculated (assuming only 10 per cent were documented due to underreporting). Sixty-two SARs (38.5 per cent) documented emesis, 22 (35.5 per cent) of which were product related (onset five to 15 minutes after administration). Sixty-eight SARs (42.2 per cent) documented general changes to demeanour, 10 (14.7 per cent) were product related (lethargy and/or mild depression and/or mild inappetence lasting up to two days after administration). Six SARs were considered likely to be associated with concurrently administered carprofen. Cartrophen Vet had a low incidence of side effects that were mild and transitory."
Basically what they are saying is the TWO most common reactions are vomiting within 15 minutes of injection and attitude/behavior changes associated with injection. On the vet forum they basically discuss weighing the benefits of the injection against the issues of the dog. Coagulapathy issues (bleeding issues) although possible were not as commonly seen as above and were more commonly seen in patients who were not reliably discontinuing NSAIDs, heparin or Aspirin treatment for several days surrounding injection."
This Dogster also asked about whether oral vs injectable glucosamine is better or more effective - this was what I found:
"Long-term usage has not been shown to be anymore dangerous than single dosing. Side effects (check the study from earlier on SAR's) seem to be only when dose is given or currently being used. They will resolve with discontinuation of injections which is side effects become a problem would be done. Investigating another med option would be pursued at that point.
As far as ORAL vs INJ : The injectable meds (at least since 2007 which is last reference I could find) have not been proven more or less effective in general for dogs. Drug formularies list the following info for Cartrophen :
"Pharmacology: Cartrophen Vet is a semisynthetic polysulphated polysaccharide which possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic chondroprotective properties. Cartrophen Vet has the following actions:
(a) Stimulates chondrocytes to synthesize cartilage matrix.
(b) Stimulates synoviocyte biosynthesis of hyaluronic acid.
(c) Inhibits enzymes implicated in the degradation of cartilage matrix components and in the release of inflammatory mediators.
(d) Anti-inflammatory activity by inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism.
(e) Mobilizes thrombi and fibrin deposits in synovial tissues and subchondral blood vessels, thus increasing the perfusion of the joint, with resulting improvement in cartilage nutrition.
(f) Mobilizes lipids and cholesterol in synovial and subchondral blood vessels"
This is slightly different than what oral/fish based glucosamine does but they seem to all show the same benefits for the dog - IE physically you wouldn't be able to which dog uses injectables vs orals.
Many vets chimed in that they use PSGAG's because they increased owner complience - as we know the average owner is not the dogster owner and has been known to "forget" to give meds every day - This medication doesn't need to be given every day which means the dog doesn't have to feel crappy because the owner made a mistake or whatever. The plateu of pain control and mobility is easier to establish with the injection."Edited by author Tue May 17, '11 10:31am PST
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Dogster Obsessions: The Starter Kit for Dogs by Wildebeest
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