Can glucosamine harm my dog's liver or kidneys if they have arthritis?

Hi Annette! Managing arthritis can be tricky since Joe's kidneys did not seem to tolerate some of the more traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) like Metacam. I'm glad to hear that Joe is taking a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement, like YuMOVE, as this can protect his joint cartilage against further damage. Make sure that you are keeping him at a healthy body weight, as overweight dogs have more stress placed on their joints. Other strategies for managing arthritis include talking to your vet about a trial with Adequan injections for further cartilage protection or new classes of NSAIDs (such as Galliprant) that are much more sparing of the liver and kidneys. Acupuncture and water therapy can also be beneficial for some dogs with arthritis. I hope this helps!

Hi and thanks for using PetCoach! Sorry to hear about Mary and her liver/kidney problems. Essential Fatty Acids are always a good idea in my opinion since they are part of every living cell of the body and they are anti inflammatory. I don't know of any diseases where fish oil is not recommended. One thing you want to be careful of is the quality of the oil and whether contaminants (mercury, etc) are present. Supplements are not regulated (in the United States) so the quality varies significantly. I would choose my source of fish oil carefully and follow the directions based on body weight. Please visit this website to evaluate a very good source of fish oil for dogs. http://www.vrshealth.com/canine-products/?petcoach=1977951 Check out the Canine Omega Benefits Good luck with Mary. I hope she does well for you.

For treatment of growth problems it should be fed until at least 18months of age; in many cases a low dose is used long term to maintain cartilage health without any side effects on the liver or kidneys

Yes, as far as we know these supplements are the same. You can use human branded forms of glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and fish oils for dogs. These supplements are all very safe. Ensure you are using the dose recommended by your vet for maximum efficacy. I hope that helps and Sail gets better soon.

Studies generally conclude that the human version of arthritis supplements are not able to be absorbed by dogs. Instead look for a supplement for dogs. The two I recommend our Dasuquan and Duralactin. Starting him on an additional omega-3 fatty acid for dogs will also help with arthritis. Lastly there is a food made by Royal Canin called mobility support. It is excellent for arthritic dogs. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

This supplement has no concern with a dog that has a MDR1 gene mutation. There are no safety concerns with glucosamine, or the other ingredients in this product, so no worries about giving it with her condition. For more information about this condition I recommend you read the article at the following link: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/multidrug-resistance-mutation-mdr1 I hope that helps and all is well with Lovey.

Hi and thank you for your post on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The knuckling sound you hear is likely the sound of bone on bone in the joints which is a common sign of osteoarthritis. The Chondroitin, Glucosamine, and MSM tablet you are giving her is a great supplement to her normal diet. While the tablet will not cure the arthritis, it will help prevent and slow down the breakdown of further joint cartilage. Sometimes the signs of osteoarthritis are subtle and may not be obvious until it becomes more advanced, however it appears you are on top of it with Mary. The other supplement I would recommend is omega 3 fatty acids which are also very good for the joints. Most of these come in gel capsules or liquid. You may ask your veterinarian if they carry any Omega 3 Oils for Mary. Swimming is also excellent for joint health and is great low impact exercise with dogs with osteoarthritis. I don't believe there is anything to worry too much about right now unless you notice the knuckling sounds gets worse or her symptoms become more pronounced. You may watch out for decreased appetite, walking slower, disinterest in going up and down stairs, disinterest in walking, running, or her usual activities. These can be signs her arthritis is advancing. As osteoarthritis advances, pain medication may be given to help by your veterinarian. I hope this helps and best wishes to you and Mary!