Is it safe to extend my dog's Adequan injections twice weekly?

Adequan is safe to use with these drugs. It is not an NSAID, it is an injection of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan and has no known drug interactions. Here is more info: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1800

I would not recommend giving any medication past the expiration date - although it could be fine there is no guarantee regarding it’s efficacy or sterility. It would be best to give medication that is still in date.

You really need to consult with your veterinarian about the use of Adequan and the best dose for your dog. If his arthritis is severe than he may need to be given Novox on a daily basis. If you are concerned about possible side effects, try to find the lowest daily dose that still provides relief for him. You could also talk to your vet about adding in Tramadol and/or Gabapentin for more pain relief.

Adequan and other injectable polysulfated glycosaminoglycans (the active ingredient of adequan) showed promising results when they were first tested for use in arthritic patients, but the most recent studies suggest that it's not very beneficial. I have actually stopped recommending it, because the I have not seen sufficient data to show that they are worth the money and need for a regular injection. Some people still swear by it and may recommend in cases where everything else has failed, so that may be the reason it was given to Abbey. Considering Abbey does not appear to be getting any benefit from the injections, I would definitely question your vet about the need for further injections and also about the potential need for other medications to help with the pain. I hope that helps and Abbey feels better soon.

Hello, yes you can very safely start using the Adequan for Stella's arthritis. I would very much prefer that you speak with Stella's vet before using the Prexicox. If you were my client, I would either recommend increasing the gabapentin ( if appropriate ) or using the newest NSAID called Galliprant. This newer medication is much gentler on the liver than anything we have ever had for managing arthritis in dogs. If this is not an option, then I would recommend using a liver neutraceutical like Denamarin to protect the liver as much as possible while on the Previcox. But I think the Adequan is a very good idea. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Take care.

Adequan analogues have been tested with subcutanteous use by the FDA http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/Products/ApprovedAnimalDrugProducts/FOIADrugSummaries/ucm116139.htm however the official site for Adequan states that it should be given via IM injection via their insert http://www.adequancanine.us/pdf/AdequanCanineInsert.pdf. There is very little research/mixed results when searching for efficacy of adequan given SQ versus IM. It may be best to speak with your veterinarian about why they give it this way and if they have documentation to support it.

I have a pit bull myself with very bad arthritis so I know where you are coming from. I routinely prescribe Adequan to clients to inject at home, as they are very simple subcutaneous injections. This is me, not every veterinarian will be comfortable doing this but many are particularly after you tell them you are medical professionals. I would also like to suggest the following with respect to therapies. You may want to try switching to a different NSAID. Sometimes switching makes all the difference after a while. I would also consider adding amantadine to his therapy. I use all three you described plus amantadine for my boy. He is 14 and going strong. You can also try laser therapy, acupuncture, and therapeutic massage as more holistic techniques to help him out. Hope this helps. Best of luck!