Question about adequan

[jaggirl47]

I read in the literature that the adequan starts working within the first couple of hours and lasts for a few days. Zappa got his first dose yesterday of 0.5mL, the lowest dose for his weight. The vet wanted to start low so we can move up if needed. He gets his next dose on Wednesday. My question is, how long before you actually notice a difference? The first dose didn't seem to do anything.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

It took 2 weeks to notice something for my dog-his butt got sturdier and started to give some resistance when I pushed on it. By the end of the loading period, he was running down hills despite the worry that I had that he would crack in the middle where his spine was not fused! I hadn't read that it starts that quickly--until after loading maybe?

[jaggirl47]

I can deal with 2 weeks. I am a bit impatient lol. Maybe it was feeling the effects, not seeing. I will reread it. Does it help with the limping and increasing instability with the hips?

[BJDimock]

It can take the entire loading dose before you notice results, but most dogs show a difference in about 2 weeks. I wasn't actually aware that there was a range for adequan, I thought the dose was weight calculated and pretty straight forward. I'll have to reread the insert tomorrow at work. We always calculate for the weight of the dog.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Kramer didn't have that. He had stiffness and at the same time, sagginess. BUT, he never got limpy or had instability-did it prevent it-no way to know, but I like to think it did!

He was a Shepherd-Chow mix (avatar-profile one) so he was sturdier, IMO. Shorter legs, shorter back, no angulation.

I am pretty sure they say results don't really show up until 4 weeks.

[BJDimock]

Adequan can help both limpy and instability, as long as it's not neurologic. If it's a case of DM, then adequan won't help much.

[jaggirl47]

It has the recommended dose but the directions say to not exceed that dose. So, I guess this way, if a smaller dose works, awesome. If not, he has room to play with. The vet has me doing sub-q injections, but said if the sub-q doesn't work, we will do the IM. He was trying to make it easier for me to give at home. Have you guys given it sub-q or do you do it IM?

[jaggirl47]

It's HD. More so the left, which has instability and pigeon toes, mild pain, no swelling. He also has no atrophy but does have "slim hips" if you get what I mean by that.

[BJDimock]

As a vet tech, I have never given it any other way than IM. Before I became a vet tech, I gave it to my horses IM. I belive the adequan should go IM to work the way it should. I will doulble check that as well.
Adequan should work nicely for your "slim hips" (I get you perfectly! I have one of my own!)

[Heidigsd]

Quote:Have you guys given it sub-q or do you do it IM?

We have done it both ways but I always felt that it worked better IM but I can't be sure. I know three veterinarians that say it should work the same if you give it sub-q or IM.

Michaela