My dog takes Cosequin. Are there side effects & is it safe long-term?

Cosequin is simply a supplement and is completely safe to give at any age. I always tell my clients, that it won't hurt, but it also might not have any benefit, so it's completely up to you. If you feel like you see a benefit, then by all means, give it as much as you want (within guidelines on the label). I hope that helps.

Hello. Yes, you can overdose on SOME vitamins, but for the most part, excesses are easily excreted from the body. What is found in food & supplements like Cosequin are minimal & so would require massive amounts to cause an overdose. I feel that the Cosequin brand is an excellent product, & administering the recommended amount of any of the Cosequin products along with Oscar's food will never cause a problem. Just choose whatever product Oscar will eat, & you will be fine. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Cosequin is a joint supplement and while it can help alleviate some of the symptoms of arthritis it is not the same as Rimadyl, a non -steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. You could talk to your vet about starting Cosequin, it’s possible that Manski might need Rimadyl less frequently if it helps. There are also some generic options that might be a little more affordable.

I worry that the secondary ingredients in the Osteo Bi-flex may cause some issues, however without knowing which of the Bi-flex products you're using, it would be hard to determine this. Most dogs do just fine on Cosequin only (at the right dose for their size) and there are multiple products on the market if you feel Kopy needs more than just glucosamine. I would follow your vet's recommendation for what products to use as they know your dog and any other health issues/medications she's on best. As for the increased thirst, it would be hard to say if it is related to this medication, or another underlying issue, especially since Kopy is a senior pup. A blood panel to rule out any issues, as well as additional tests as needed (thyroid, cushings, etc) is always a good idea with new or changing symptoms.

Hi there. In general, there is no reason that prednisone can't be given with Cosequin DS. As long as the prednisone was prescribed by your veterinarian and you're giving it according to his/her instructions, this should be fine. :)

Carprofen is an nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medication (NSAID) like aspirin or ibuprofen for humans. It's used daily for arthritis or other chronic pain, and short term for more acute/temporary pain. The half life is the amount of time it takes for half of the drug to leave the body (via the liver, kidneys/bladder, or gut). Carprofen can occasionally have side effects on the liver, so if he's going to be on it long term, it's usually recommended to check liver values after 2 weeks. That said, liver issues are rare. Intestinal upset (vomiting/diarrhea) are also possible side effects and if he had any of that you'd want to stop and figure out a different appropriate medication with his vet. With just 6 days of medication, no additional testing will be done. You can (and should, if that is how it was prescribed) give carporfen daily. Appropriate supplements could include fish oils and glucosamine and others, depending on what exactly is going on. I'd recommend asking about supplements for long term when you go for your recheck visit

That is not normal. Changes in pain can sometimes lead to aggressive behavior, however, this medication should help reduce pain, instead of increase it. I would speak with your regular veterinarian to try an alternative to the cosequin, such as a different joint supplement, or one that uses other ingredients like MSM or fish oil rather than glucosamine and chondroitin.