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Are there Side Effects with Glucosamine for Dogs
Joint pain victims have been using glucosamine for relieving pain for many years. Since it is commonly thought of a supplement for humans, many concerned dog owners are worried about possible side effects if they use glucosamine for their dog. While any medicine or supplement has its associated risks, veterinarians usually find that the benefits outweigh the possible negative effects.
What is a Glucosamine supplement?
The bodies of humans and animals alike create glucosamine to repair the cartilage in joints, but the aging process and conditions such as osteoarthritis cause the cartilage to deteriorate. Using glucosamine as a supplement has been found to aid the body in repairing cartilage that has been damaged, resulting in less pain and easier mobility. The glucosamine for the supplement is usually obtained from the shells of sea creatures like lobster, shrimp, and crab. This is true for both glucosamine for humans as well as for dogs.
Are there possible side effects with glucosamine for dogs?
Side effects tend to be rare, and when they do occur, most are treated with little difficulty.
The common side effects tend to take the form of digestive upset. Vomiting is one indication of the dog having difficulty with the supplement. Others include diarrhea, constipation, gas, loss of interest in food, and drowsiness. Treating these side effects can be as simple as reducing the amount of the supplement given. Another option is to give a dog glucosamine with food, which prevents the substance from only having digestive acid to react to in the stomach.
Sometimes the dog may have a reaction to shellfish but even those allergic reactions are usually mild. Anaphylactic shock is a risk with allergic reactions, however, and requires a veterinarian's prompt care. If this is a concern, there are forms of glucosamine obtained from plants like corn but these are more difficult to find.
One of the rarest potential side effects that occurs when a dog is given glucosamine is a negative impact on levels of blood sugar, as well as a potential increase in bleeding risk. If your dog has diabetes or is on a blood thinning medicine, consult with your vet before using glucosamine.
Great benefits with glucosamine
When dogs begin to have mobility problems, glucosamine can be a huge blessing. Side effects for dogs using glucosamine are usually mild and rare enough to make this supplement a life-changing addition to the life of a dog with joint pain.
What is a Glucosamine supplement?
The bodies of humans and animals alike create glucosamine to repair the cartilage in joints, but the aging process and conditions such as osteoarthritis cause the cartilage to deteriorate. Using glucosamine as a supplement has been found to aid the body in repairing cartilage that has been damaged, resulting in less pain and easier mobility. The glucosamine for the supplement is usually obtained from the shells of sea creatures like lobster, shrimp, and crab. This is true for both glucosamine for humans as well as for dogs.
Are there possible side effects with glucosamine for dogs?
Side effects tend to be rare, and when they do occur, most are treated with little difficulty.
The common side effects tend to take the form of digestive upset. Vomiting is one indication of the dog having difficulty with the supplement. Others include diarrhea, constipation, gas, loss of interest in food, and drowsiness. Treating these side effects can be as simple as reducing the amount of the supplement given. Another option is to give a dog glucosamine with food, which prevents the substance from only having digestive acid to react to in the stomach.
Sometimes the dog may have a reaction to shellfish but even those allergic reactions are usually mild. Anaphylactic shock is a risk with allergic reactions, however, and requires a veterinarian's prompt care. If this is a concern, there are forms of glucosamine obtained from plants like corn but these are more difficult to find.
One of the rarest potential side effects that occurs when a dog is given glucosamine is a negative impact on levels of blood sugar, as well as a potential increase in bleeding risk. If your dog has diabetes or is on a blood thinning medicine, consult with your vet before using glucosamine.
Great benefits with glucosamine
When dogs begin to have mobility problems, glucosamine can be a huge blessing. Side effects for dogs using glucosamine are usually mild and rare enough to make this supplement a life-changing addition to the life of a dog with joint pain.