Adequan® Canine (Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan) JOINT EFFORT is grounded in the belief that canine arthritis can be managed. It is a partnership between you, your veterinarian and your dog—a partnership designed to promote proper joint health and a better quality of life for all dogs suffering from arthritis.
Could Your Dog Suffer from Canine Arthritis?
The answer is “yes.” About 20 percent of all dogs in the U.S. suffer from canine arthritis. This disease develops gradually over time, causing your dog pain and often preventing him from performing even the simplest of movements, like climbing stairs or walking.
The Signs of Canine Arthritis
If your dog is suffering from arthritis, you will most likely see one or more of the following signs:
- Sluggishness
- Tiredness
- Low activity
- Reluctance to walking, running, climbing stairs, jumping or playing
- Lagging behind on walks
- Reluctance to extending rear legs
- Soreness
- Aggressive or withdrawn behavior
- Other personality or behavioral changes
The Risk Factors of Canine Arthritis
Canine arthritis can affect all breeds of dogs, but there are certain risk factors you should be aware of, including:
- Overweight dogs
- Large or giant breeds
- Over the age of 5
- Breed inherited traits, such as hip dysplasia
- Levels of high activity for long periods of time
- Joint trauma
Understanding Canine Arthritis
Canine arthritis occurs in your dog’s joints. A healthy joint consists of cartilage that covers and protects the ends of the bones in a joint. The cartilage has no nerves; when it touches the cartilage of another bone, the dog feels no pain.
However, arthritis causes the cartilage to wear away. This exposes the bone, which does have many nerves. So when two bones touch each other, your dog feels pain. This pain can greatly affect your dog’s quality of life.
Early Treatment of Canine Arthritis
When bones continually rub against each other, they will eventually change shape. The bone reshaping can make it difficult—or sometimes impossible—for your dog to walk to move naturally. Arthritis can be managed much more successfully when it is diagnosed and treated early in the process.
Your Role in the JOINT EFFORT
You know your dog better than anyone does. You see your dog every day, and you are the best person to recognize the early signs and risk factors of canine arthritis. That’s why you play such an important role in the Joint Effort.
The JOINT EFFORT Between You and Your Dog
Know how to spot the early signs of arthritis and the risk factors:
- Observe your dog for signs of arthritis
- Follow your veterinarian’s treatment protocol
- Ask for Adequan® Canine to slow the disease of arthritis
- Take steps to maintain good joint health
The JOINT EFFORT Between You and Your Veterinarian
- Tell your veterinarian about signs you’ve observed and/or your dog’s behavior changes
- Keep your veterinarian updated on your dog’s progress
- Talk to your veterinarian about other ways to maintain good joint health
Managing joint health is a collaborative process resulting in a better quality of life for your dog.
Important Safety Information
Adequan® Canine (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan or PSGAG) should not be used in dogs who are hypersensitive to PSGAG or who have a known or suspected bleeding disorder. It should be used with caution in dogs with renal or hepatic impairment. Side effects in clinical studies (pain at injection site, diarrhea, and abnormal bleeding) were mild, transient and self-limiting. In post-approval experience, death has been reported in some cases; vomiting, anorexia, depression/lethargy, and diarrhea have also been reported. The safe use of PSGAG in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs has not been evaluated.