Learning More about Dog Arthritis and Supplements 2 – Cosequin

Cosequin is a dietary supplement given to dogs to help maintain healthy joints. The product contains ingredients that are believed to be beneficial for dogs suffering arthritis such glucosamine, low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate, and manganese. Cosequin is manufactured by Nurtramax Laboratories and is currently endorsed by popular TV animal expert Jack Hanna.

Using Cosequin Safely 

Cosequin is non-prescription health product and is generally considered by vets as a safe product to use in dogs.

1. Side Effects. There are no known side effects.
2. Drug Interactions. There are no known drug interactions.
3. Your Dog’s Current Condition. If your dog is diabetic, it is recommended that the blood sugar levels should be carefully monitored as the supplement may contribute to a sudden spike in glucose.

The Right Dose 

Cosequin contains the following active ingredients:

· Glucosamine helps maintain the structural integrity of cartilage. Glucosamine helps cartilage retain water molecules making the tissue resistant to compression.
· Chondroitin helps in the production of new joint cartilage and synovial fluid. Not only that, chondroitin also inhibits the catabolic activity of chondrocytes (cells responsible for producing new cartilage) as well as preventing the production of more proteolytic enzymes, nitric oxide, and other substances that can damage the cartilage.
· Manganese is used in the production of the enzyme manganese superoxide dismutase. The enzyme protects cells from free radicals.
Cosequin is a non-prescription animal health product. It is available as chewable artificially-flavored tablets and capsules.
For the first four to six weeks the standard dose for dogs weighing less than ten pounds should be half to one capsule daily. Dogs that are between ten and twenty-four pounds should have one capsule in the morning and one capsule in the evening.

For the chewable tablets, dogs less than ten pounds should be given half a tablet daily, while dogs that between ten and twenty-four pounds should have half a tablet in the morning and half a tablet in the evening. For dogs weighing twenty-five to forty-nine pounds, they should be given one tablet in the morning and one tablet in the evening. Dogs weighing fifty to one hundred pounds should be given two tablets in the morning and one tablet in the evening and dogs over one hundred pounds should have two tablets in the morning and evening.

After four to six weeks, dogs weighing less than ten pounds should be given half to one capsule every other day, Dogs weighing ten to twenty-four pounds should have one capsule daily.

For the chewable tablets, dogs weighing less than ten pounds should be given half a tablet every other day; dogs that weigh ten to twenty-four pounds should have half a tablet daily. Dogs weighing twenty-five to forty-nine pounds should be given one tablet daily. Dogs weighing fifty to one hundred pounds should be given one to two tablets daily. Dogs over one hundred pounds should have one tablet in the morning and evening.

Cosequin should be stored in a cool dry that is not accessible by animals or children.

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