Glucosamine for Arthritis/Broken Joints

Sunday I became the proud foster parent of a 1-2 year old male with a broken
(but mending) hind leg. The caretaker of this cat (among many rescue cats;
she founded an organization) said she believes cats with broken bones have a
propensity to develop arthritis, and she wanted to put him on Glucosamine
(Chondroitin) to help prevent this. She was clear that it wasn't a proven
preventive medicine, but she feels it might help. I know many humans take
this and claim results. I googled a bit and there does seem to be a lot of
anecdotal support for the stuff, for cats and humans alike, for starters.

Can I buy this cheap at Wal-Mart and give it to my cat? Anyone know how much
is the right amount or have a quick web site citation that discusses this?

Kind of an update:
As some of you may recall, I lost my little cat March 23. Sunday I went to
PetsMart "just" to look at the cats that a certain rescue organization in my
area brings in every Sunday for adoption or foster parenting. I got into a
chat with the founder and mentioned that in a few years or so I might adopt
another cat but he/she would be an older one with an injury who presumably
would be less wanted. She said she had an adult cat back at her ranch who
had recently broken its leg. She invited me to drive the few miles to meet
him and consider fostering. I said I had to think about it for a few
minutes. She was cool about it and wasn't pushy. Long-story short: He's a
gentle affectionate fellow who makes me very happy and whom I hope I am
giving good care. We see a feline orthopod specialist on Thursday, paid for
by the Rescue organization, as the Rescue org is weighing whether an
operation might help. I cover food and kitty litter and will also probably
buy the Glucosamine, as it doesn't appear expensive when purchased at, say,
Wal-Mart. I'll ask the vet for more info on Thursday, but I want to be
well-prepared.

TIA

"Elle" wrote in message
nk.net...
Sunday I became the proud foster parent of a 1-2 year old male with a
broken
(but mending) hind leg. The caretaker of this cat (among many rescue cats;
she founded an organization) said she believes cats with broken bones have
a
propensity to develop arthritis, and she wanted to put him on Glucosamine
(Chondroitin) to help prevent this. She was clear that it wasn't a proven
preventive medicine, but she feels it might help. I know many humans take
this and claim results. I googled a bit and there does seem to be a lot of
anecdotal support for the stuff, for cats and humans alike, for starters.


The vet is right. Bone injuries are prone to arthritis. It is how we figure
my cat got such bad arthritis in her knee and leg. Glucosomine is very
helpful and since he has only just broken his leg, may be a very good
preventative for him. It probably will not STOP it from forming but it slows
it down. It is helpful. My vet had a cat come in with terrible bone chips
and problems. NOTHING helped. At the time she did not think products like
Cosequin were anything more than quackery. Finally, after even the vet
University in the next state said there was nothing that could be done, she
gave the owner a box of Cosequin she had been given by a pharmaceutical co
figuring it wouldn't hurt at least. 8 weeks later she was astonished when
this cat came in that previously couldn't even jump on the couch, could jump
and move 10 times better than before. It definitely has helped my Pearl. It
does, however, need to be high grade, but 18.00 covers about a 3 month
supply so I don't think it is that pricey. One capsule a day sprinkled on
food.
Congrats on your new friend!!!!!

"Karen" wrote
"Elle" wrote
Sunday I became the proud foster parent of a 1-2 year old male with a
broken
(but mending) hind leg. The caretaker of this cat (among many rescue
cats;
she founded an organization) said she believes cats with broken bones
have
a
propensity to develop arthritis, and she wanted to put him on
Glucosamine
(Chondroitin) to help prevent this. She was clear that it wasn't a
proven
preventive medicine, but she feels it might help. I know many humans
take
this and claim results. I googled a bit and there does seem to be a lot
of
anecdotal support for the stuff, for cats and humans alike, for
starters.


The vet is right. Bone injuries are prone to arthritis. It is how we
figure
my cat got such bad arthritis in her knee and leg. Glucosomine is very
helpful and since he has only just broken his leg, may be a very good
preventative for him. It probably will not STOP it from forming but it
slows
it down. It is helpful. My vet had a cat come in with terrible bone chips
and problems. NOTHING helped. At the time she did not think products like
Cosequin were anything more than quackery. Finally, after even the vet
University in the next state said there was nothing that could be done,
she
gave the owner a box of Cosequin she had been given by a pharmaceutical co
figuring it wouldn't hurt at least. 8 weeks later she was astonished when
this cat came in that previously couldn't even jump on the couch, could
jump
and move 10 times better than before. It definitely has helped my Pearl.
It
does, however, need to be high grade, but 18.00 covers about a 3 month
supply so I don't think it is that pricey. One capsule a day sprinkled on
food.
Congrats on your new friend!!!!!

Thanks for all of the above, Karen. Six dollars a month extra for this cat
is a pittance in view of all the love he gives, afaic.

Gentle note: The woman who was recommending this is not a vet. She's a
highly experienced cat taker whose suggestions, like yours and so many
people's here, are invaluable and often afaic superior to a vet's.

On Tue, 05 Apr 2005 18:30:00 GMT, "Elle"
wrote:

Sunday I became the proud foster parent of a 1-2 year old male with a broken
(but mending) hind leg. The caretaker of this cat (among many rescue cats;
she founded an organization) said she believes cats with broken bones have a
propensity to develop arthritis, and she wanted to put him on Glucosamine
(Chondroitin) to help prevent this. She was clear that it wasn't a proven
preventive medicine, but she feels it might help. I know many humans take
this and claim results. I googled a bit and there does seem to be a lot of
anecdotal support for the stuff, for cats and humans alike, for starters.


Yes, bone injuries do tend to lead to early arthritis, and it
certainly wouldn't hurt to give the supplement. I have seen it work
wonders in my elderly cat.


Can I buy this cheap at Wal-Mart and give it to my cat? Anyone know how much
is the right amount or have a quick web site citation that discusses this?


I buy tablets that are tuna flavored. I have seen them in the grocery
stores, Walmart, and pet stores. Just look with the fleat treatments
and other supplements.

I also feed Royal Canin's Senior formula as it has glucosamine in the
fppd as well. Not as much as the tablets. But my cat won't alwasy eat
the tablets every day. So, this way, I know he is getting a steady
amount of it.


--
Meghan & the Zoo Crew
Equine and Pet Photography
http://www.zoocrewphoto.com

Thanks for sharing your experience, Meghan. I will check WalMart's and
PetsMart today.

Related aside: I'm watching this cat's diet very closely, in view of this
tragedy with my previous cat (diabetes at age 7.5 years, no doubt brought on
in large part by being a bit overweight) and my knowledge of the many other
cats who suffer from being overweight. I am buying a scale today and am
checking caloric contents with companies and a great web site from the
Feline Diabetes Message Board. I'm already measuring out quantities of dry
food and canned food and will start him on 22 Calories/pound . I see 13-25
Calories/pound is what seems to work for people. I'd like to go all canned
food, but until I officially adopt this cat, I feel I have to take orders
from the Rescue organization for whom I am fostering. They give their cats a
mix of dry food and canned food. Comments welcome.

"Meghan Noecker" wrote
Yes, bone injuries do tend to lead to early arthritis, and it
certainly wouldn't hurt to give the supplement. I have seen it work
wonders in my elderly cat.
snip
I buy tablets that are tuna flavored. I have seen them in the grocery
stores, Walmart, and pet stores. Just look with the fleat treatments
and other supplements.

I also feed Royal Canin's Senior formula as it has glucosamine in the
fppd as well. Not as much as the tablets. But my cat won't alwasy eat
the tablets every day. So, this way, I know he is getting a steady
amount of it.

Elle,
You have to be *very* careful about many commercial glucosamine
supplements as not all contain what they say they do. (Check
http://www.consumerlab.com for more info.)

For one cat, you are better off buying Cosequin. There is a website
where you can get a 4 pack for about $55.00, which translates to about
$0.17 per capsule.
http://vetmeddirect.com/sbsite.php?&...sules+-+4+Pack

As for the food issue, why not just tell the group about your experience
with diabetes, what you've learned about dry food, and ask if they would
mind if you feed him all canned? I doubt they'd say no.

Megan



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Thanks, Megan. I'll mention the Cosequin tomorrow when young Truman (my
adorable rescue foster cat with the mending hind leg) sees the orthopedic
specialist.

I'll consider your suggestion about talking to the rescue group. I want to
be persuasive without being pushy. I think timing and wording are
everything, for the sake of helping as many cats as possible for the long
run. This group has come a long way in the last few years, recently
attaining official not-for-profit status, which is a big deal. I'm a
relative newbie and think I should tread lightly. I hope that makes sense.

wrote
Elle,
You have to be *very* careful about many commercial glucosamine
supplements as not all contain what they say they do. (Check
http://www.consumerlab.com for more info.)

For one cat, you are better off buying Cosequin. There is a website
where you can get a 4 pack for about $55.00, which translates to about
$0.17 per capsule.

http://vetmeddirect.com/sbsite.php?&...Capsules+-+4+P
ack

As for the food issue, why not just tell the group about your experience
with diabetes, what you've learned about dry food, and ask if they would
mind if you feed him all canned? I doubt they'd say no.

Our German Shepherd has been taking Cosequin for several months. (I
know, not a cat... but our cats don't need it yet.) The change is
amazing. No more limping, she runs again, etc.

That said, our vet told us that Cosequin is the purest form of
glucosamine available. He takes it himself, rather than buy the stuff
at Wal-Mart. It's expensive for our dog, but completely worth it. If
you can manage, do get the good stuff.

Elle wrote:
Thanks, Megan. I'll mention the Cosequin tomorrow when young Truman (my
adorable rescue foster cat with the mending hind leg) sees the orthopedic
specialist.

I'll consider your suggestion about talking to the rescue group. I want to
be persuasive without being pushy. I think timing and wording are
everything, for the sake of helping as many cats as possible for the long
run. This group has come a long way in the last few years, recently
attaining official not-for-profit status, which is a big deal. I'm a
relative newbie and think I should tread lightly. I hope that makes sense.

wrote

Elle,
You have to be *very* careful about many commercial glucosamine
supplements as not all contain what they say they do. (Check
http://www.consumerlab.com for more info.)

For one cat, you are better off buying Cosequin. There is a website
where you can get a 4 pack for about $55.00, which translates to about
$0.17 per capsule.


http://vetmeddirect.com/sbsite.php?&...Capsules+-+4+P
ack

As for the food issue, why not just tell the group about your experience
with diabetes, what you've learned about dry food, and ask if they would
mind if you feed him all canned? I doubt they'd say no.