Woo, woo, what do I do?

Tiktaalik

Half True Scotsperson
Tiktaalik
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Sep 29, 2006
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One of my dogs has just been diagnosed with spondylosis of the cervical vertebrae. He also has some spondylosis of the lumbar region, minor arthritis of the hips and elbows, and minor calcification of the lungs. He is five years old.

Apparently, although I haven't done much research yet, there's not much that can be done. He's got a real good quality of life right now - in fact, his only visible problem is that on long walks he staggers slightly and gets tired quick.

While talking to the vet, she recommended glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate & MSM. I know from previous discussions here that there isn't any research supporting the use of glucosamine in dogs (I believe there is supporting research for race horses). I pointed this out to her.

She said that it was difficult to formulate such studies because most people treat with multiple different substances when they find out their dog has arthritis, etc. and it was difficult therefore to seperate the effects of one treatment from the effects of any other. But she said in her years of practice, anecdotally, many dogs seem to do well on glucosamine. Anecdotally, I had a previous dog suffering from the beginnings of arthritis at age nine who I gave glucosamine (before I knew the wooishness of it) and she "recovered" and never had a problem again - she died at 15 1/2.

The vet left it up to me to choose whether or not and which brand of glucosamine to use. I can easily afford it and it's easy to give, that's not an issue.

So do I give it based on anecdotal evidence in the hope that it will help (there's no evidence that it harms, either) or do I blow it off because there's no research pointing to its efficacy in dogs? I fully intend to do anything else I can, as well - it wouldn't be a substitute for any other treatment.

What would you do and why/why not?

Thanks...
 
Glucosamine doesn't even work that well or at all in humans. Many of the early studies showed some effect but as studies got better, the effect got smaller. Its essentially placebo and the measured effects are very small and within the range of "data noise". Even good old tylenol is way more effective.

While it is relatively harmless, why not spend the money on good quality dog food to make the pup happy? Maybe a Scooby Snack?
 
I think I would be influenced by the following:

1. There is a plausible mechanism of action for glucosamine in arthroses of various kinds.

2. There is some evidence (but not strong) for its effect in other mammalian species.

3. It's affordable.

4. It's well tolerated.
 
Hmmmm...why don't you go to the butcher and get a bunch of cheap beef tendons or other ligamentous leftovers filled with condroitin for the pup? Tasty dog food.
 
The problem is that while people are bad at determining their own status as better/same/worse they are absolutely terrible at determining it in others. You can't expect to get an answer from a dog when you ask it "do you feel pain" so it's up to the owners to report any changes in status. The problem is that people want so badly for Fido to be well that they put on rose-colored glasses when looking at their pets.

Until there are studies that show reduced inflammation or increased amount of cartilage then I think it's safe to assume that it's woo.

Spend your money on toys and treats and make sure that he knows you love him. Then, when the pain is too much and he can't get around, put your feelings aside and do what's needed to end his pain.
 
Hm. So far my on-line research is not turning up very many specific studies. I did find this site which has a section on glucosamine research, a section on glucosamine in pets, and a further citations section. I didn't read it in depth, but the highlighted studies did seem to find that glucosamine in humans was better than placebo and as good as ibuprofen or better.

However, this is a commercial site offering to sell glucosamine...and there's nothing specific about efficacy in dogs, only rats. Supposedly there are European studies showing efficacy in dogs.

But I thought there was no evidence that glucosamine worked at all in humans. The above studies seem to show that it many work to some degree, although, like I said, I haven't done anything but skim any of them.
 
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=51

GOOD studies show no effect. People allergic to shellfish need to avoid it. I don't know if many animals need to worry about that.
With all the bad studies out there causing the alt medders to crow about it, I can't really blame the vet for giving you something to do, when there is really not much to nothing you can do. I think it does owners some good, if they feel like they are doing something, but it won't help the pet any better than giving it magic water.

My daughter's day home provider recently had to put a young dog down for that. It was sad. Sorry to hear the bad news :(
 
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