Cosequin DS
 

Winston was just diagnosed with luxating patella. He has been favoring his one back leg for awhile but doesn't seem like he's in any pain. The vet said to watch it and give him glucosamine supplements. I have been giving him one from Petsmart and the vet said it was fine. I am wondering if anyone is using Cosequin DS and if it has helped any with luxating patella issues. Does it work better than other brands like it claims to? If so, how much do you give them?

Cosequin has been shown to be safe product in a number of studies, and it would be my choice for my dogs if I was using glucosamine with chondroitin.

I think it would be a good choice to switch him. Is there a certain website or place that people like to use that have good prices for this?

What grade is his LP?

I have purchased similar Nutramax products from EntirelyPets Discount Pet meds Pet Supplies & Flea Medicine.
Drs. foster and smith may also sell it.

At first he didn't tell me what grade, so I asked. I thought he was going to say like a 1-2 but he said it's probably about a 3 1/2. This surprised me because he doesn't seem to be in any pain and doesn't favor that leg as much as I would think for that high of grade. He said to just watch it and that he doesn't think he's in pain either. I asked if there was anything I should give him and he said a glucosamine supplelment but didn't specify which one or the cosequin. I brought the one I had been giving him with and showed it and he said it was fine. I just want to make sure he is getting the best supplement for him to help. My husband is a K9 cop and often uses the cosequin with their dogs so I thought I would check into this to see what people thought here.

My vet told me that Cosequin DS is the most purest form (and most expensive) of Glucosamine out there. Betty Boop has had Grade 1-2 LP in both back knees for over a year now. I have her on Cosequin DS. Not sure if it has done any good, but it can't hurt. Her LP has not gotten any worse, so that's good. I buy mine from Amazon.com. Betty Boop weighs about 6 pounds and I give her 1/2 of a chewable tab.

Below is a reply to an email I sent to Dog.com about their Cosequin DS. I hope this helps.


"Thank you for your email. Per the manufacturer, the recommended initial administration period is four to six weeks; however, some dogs may respond in a shorter period of time. The number of Cosequin DS chewable tablets may then be reduced to the maintenance level. The chewable tablets may be fed directly or crumbled and mixed with food.

Body Weight Initial 4 to 6 Week Administration Period Maintenance Level†
10-24 lbs** 1 daily
(1/2 in the morning & 1/2 in the evening)
**(under 10 lbs, 1/2 daily) 1/2 daily
(tablets are scored)

25-49 lbs 2 daily
(1 in the morning & 1 in the evening) 1 daily

50-100 lbs 3 daily
(2 in the morning & 1 in the evening) 1-2 daily

Over 100 lbs 4 daily
(2 in the morning & 2 in the evening) 2 daily


Thank you,
Jennifer Kunkel
Customer Support Specialist"

Thanks for this information! I just ordered some so we'll see what happens. That is great that Betty Boop's has not gotten any worse. I am hoping that by getting this better quality product it will do the same for Winston and his won't get worse either.

disregard this double posting

I would be worried about pain with a 3 because that is what Callie had and she needed surgery. The pain in her knee was getting so bad she stopped running and doing the things she loved to do. You also want to limit jumping as much a possible.

It really depends on the dog. My daisy had surgery at 2 years old for a luxating patella grade 4. She has another grade 4 LP that has been asymptomatic. She's 11 years old now. We don't use cosequin and never have but would if indicated.