My standard dacshund has shoulder dysplasia for which he takes Synoquin.  I have dodgy knees for which I take glucosamine.  Both drugs seem to have the same ingredients.  (No - I don't bark).  As glucosamine is a natural product, is it safe to give the human version to my furry friend?  Taking into account the weight difference obviously.

Hi Joe

Our old lab, almost 14, has dodgy hips & back legs & is on Metacam, which has given her a new lease of life since Christmas.   At the same time, I started giving her glucosamine, which I get from Holland & Barrett we give her 1 tab per day at the moment, ground up into her supper yoghurt which she takes quite nicely (hand fed, if you please!)   Holland & Barrett are a lot cheaper than animal suppliers!

Hope this helps.

Margot

Hi Margot!

That's one of the reasons I asked.  Not that Norman isn't worth what it costs but I pay £9 for 360 for me and £58 for two months for him!  He was on metacam for a while but is now quite happy on the synoquin (hasn't limped for months) and is off the metacam.  And there's no need to crush them with him - I dropped a garlic bulb and he ate it whole! :)

Mind, was a bit disappointed with breed rescue.  Rang them to tell them about his hips as he has been used for stud and they make me feel like I was questioning the breeders scruples.  I just thought it would be sensible to tell them so they could stop breeding from his pups.  I'll keep my mouth shut next time. :(

I suppose with small dogs you don't hip score - is that the case?    Purdey's hips weren't bad - 6:5, but as I say, she is now almost 14.   We've kept her weight down (despite her liking for bacon sarnies :D) but our decision to remove carpets three years ago now is a problem for her - Bambi-legs in the mornings!

Margot

Ditto!  I put marble down and I have now have one of those dogs whose back legs overtake his front!  Worried about him jumping down onto it so spent a fortune on a floor to cover it with rugs!

No, I don't think they hip score Dachshunds :) but I thought the breeder would be interested to know there's a problem.  I know I would.  Still - limpy or not - he's a star.

Hi There,
           My Australian Shepherd is on Synoquin, at a cost of £61.69 per bottle of tablets. At the moment, it is covered by his insurance, but when this runs out, my vet has told me to just go and buy Glucosamine and Chondriatin from Holland and Barrett, as it is exactly the same, and she gives it her dogs, as it is a hell of a lot cheaper than Synoquin (even with her staff discount) :D
Have to say, he is 100% better for taking it, and his joints seems lots better, than when he doesn't have it........
Gabrielle x

Thanks Gabrielle.  Expensive stuff in your neck of the woods!  Must be cheaper up North.  Know of an excellent website for bulk buying glucosamine at a fraction of the cost of High Street shops but not sure of the rules of recommending it on here.  Maybe someone can enlighten me?

I think I'm going to regret this Joe, but you could always do a link to it, now that you've mastered smilies and PM's :D

liberty

http://www.zipvit.com/

Don't know if that's right!  Excellent value and deliver in 'zip' bags so will go through letter box.

Joe

thanks everyone for pointing me in the right directions! I think pure glucosamine was best value for my Rottie and his terrible HD (I used a horse product as it came in a big tub!) , but in the spirit of suggesting getting the best deals, the cheapest place I found synoquin was at http://www.furrypharm.co.uk

Terry

Hey Joe,
          I am up North !!!!!!! I live in Manchester, although my vet is in Altrincham, Cheshire...... yes, quite agree it is expensive, but I would pay anything to keep my dogs happy and healthy, big softie that I am :D
Thanks for the link for the Glucosamine, will definitely be giving it a try.....
Gabrielle x

Gabrielle - Mancester is NOT up North.  Manchester is way way down. :)  Recommend the site though.  Not that my bairn isn't worth selling my soul for -cos he is- but why spend a pound when you can spend a penny?

If you know what I mean.:D

Well...... I always thought I lived in the North, I guess you learn something new every day !!!!!!! :D
I know what you mean about spending money, I have four dogs at present, so ''every little penny helps''!!!!
Gabrielle x

The thing is - how do you know what quality the product is?

Not being funny but the reason it probably is cheaper is becasue the quality is not as good and they buy it in cheaper.  It is like Evening Primrose Oil, it is not all the same!  You get first pressing (same as olive oil) for really good quality ingredients and at the bottom of the pile you get the last pressing from rubbish quality plants (This is how Holland & Barret sell it so cheap)

So although money is of course an issue - you might as well not spend anything if you give really rubbish quality products!  I am not saying what you are giving is rubbish, but it is just worth thinking about when giving any unlicensed supplement.

Well - Holland & Barret stuff is still working for Purdey (now passed her 14th birthday) - so as it ain't broke, I don't intend to fix it!!!

With Metacam £45.90 per bottle (this is her 3rd lot) & Glucosamine £4.99 a bottle, we'll carry on whilst we can - Purdey is still managing 3 walks (small, admittedly) a day, still enjoys the bacon sarnies & still keeps Aussies & labs in order with a muttered growl from time to time (think of an old granny, sitting muttering in the corner - that's our Purdle-Durdle!!

Margot

You can give him yours but if he is insured the insurance will pay for the synoquin they pay for my dogs but will not pay for any suppliments I buy from the health shop even if they are the same!

Forgot to add that the insurance will pay for the metacam too

My gsd is on metacam and seraquin, she is due to run out next week so do I get more from the vet or try glucosamine, she is in pain at times, she had just been diagnosed with HD