Joint supplements

[dalesponyrider]

I am thinking of feeding D a joint supplement to protect her cartilage. It would seem that she has had some sort of fairly severe trauma in the past and it might be a good idea to start feeding one BEFORE she has arthritic problems.

I am in two minds though as the research in humans seems to have mixed results. I don't want to waste money on something that is just placebo.

On the old board Shaklana said to feed glucosamine hydrochloride as this crosses into joint tissue much more readily than other forms eg glucosamine sulphate. Is there research to back this up and what does it do exactly? Which products contain glucosamine hydrochloride?

Have any of you found a marked difference after using one of these products? (Although the sceptic in me asks are we just WANTING to see an improvement and therefore see one?)

[shaklana]

there have been a few studies written up in vet record (highly esteemed, peer reviewed). will have a search next week. there is enough evidence for the leading equine orthopaedic specialists at AHT to have prescribed it for 2 of my neds after joint surgery. i was shown some data by the boehringer rep last week on using "seraquin" in dogs. some of the trial group on seraquin only had better improvement than those put on "metacam"(boehringer's nsaid) alone.

[dalesponyrider]

Thanks for that Shaklana!

[ruthie]

I might be wrong, but I don’t think there has been any research that has proven that feeding a join supplement as a preventative measure will work. I am pretty sure that it was a vet that told me that, this is way Amber is not on a join supplement.

[dalesponyrider]

I've found these for now Ruthie and Shaklana has kindly offered to tell us about some studies too.

www.equine-america.co.uk/docs/articleby_david_platt.pdf

www.ingentaconnect.com/content/evj/evj/2005/00000037/00000003/art00010;jsessionid=2r3qn59qcq0cb.alice

[khristyne]

There have been some studies into glucosamine in humans and animals have a look at this.

www.glucosamine-arthritis.org/glucosamine/gait-guide-study.html

I have used corteflex HA and ordinary. It helped a lot with one horse and did nothing for the other. I think it is a question of suck it and see!!!!!!

Over all IMHO the best way to help with preventing arthritis is to keep the joint wear down by keeping the person or animal slim!! AND gentle regular excercise to maintain mobility. I tell myself this regularly and still I eat!!!!!!!!!!

[harveydales]

I will be very interested also in anything Shaklana finds out for us. I thoughtnthere have been trials in humans showing glucosamine does have a protective effect on cartilage but amybe I'm wrong. I also though the hydrochloride was better than the sulphate but don't know which suplements contain which version.

I use Cortaflex HA for myself and am convinced it does help but I understand it doesn't contain glucosamine, just the precursors. So am I being conned?

Incidently, did anyone listed to the Food Programme on Radio 4 today? It was all about food, arthritis prevention and cartilage growth. I couldn't catch it all because we were in the midst of dinner but it sounded very interesting. Knocked some holes in certain old ideas like citrus fruits and tomatoes are bad. There was discussion of the latest research and some interesting points raised, some of which could be applied to our horses too. I will make a point of listening to the repeat tomorrow.

[khristyne]

You could try listening on Play again on the radio 4 web site.

[shaklana]

Here's a few links for starters, most journal pages are subscription only.....and most of my passwords seem to have expired! New ones applied for.........here are a few abstracts. Sorry, haven't had much searching time yet.
avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/ajvr.2005.66.1870
avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/ajvr.2004.65.1440
avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/ajvr.2003.64.666

[mickey]

None have helped Mickey, although he is still on cortaflex. He's pretty severe though.

[dalesponyrider]

Thanks so much Shaklana! I'll have a read through that lot when I'm finished with my clients. More food for thought!

[anna85]

Tucker beast is on Cortaflex HA and it seems to be doing him some good (i think). I've no real idea as he isn't doing anything for a good while until all his bits and bobs have fused. The Equine America stuff is meant to be the best according to the vet.

[Biggerside Benwell]

Danny had Cortaflex for a year and a half but recently swapped to NAF Superflex because it contains msm for the muscles and ligaments also.

[harveydales]

thanks Shaklana. I've read through the abstracts you posted - very interesting. So it suggests there is evidence glucosamine is benifical in protecting cartilage? What does this mean for cortaflex which I understand contains glucosamine precursors rather than glucosamine itself? Or am I wrong?

[akehurstannabel]

My vet advised using newmarket formula for sandy. don't know much about it though i'm afraid.