Please could you advise which is the best form of the chrondroitin and glucosamine for a little terrier with possible knee joint problems I would like to do everything I can to keep her active as she gets older ( she is 2 at the mo) Are tablets the best way and any recommended brand ? - advice would be very helpful as there are so many different brands and costs if you google chrondroitin and glucosamine for dogs.
She had luxating patella and recently had an op to correct this, but I'm thinking of the future.

It's worth having a read of the details of this study.

You need to choose a product containing Glucosamine Hydrochloride (HCL) and not Glucosamine Sulphate (manmade and over 20% added salt for stability). Also check that condroitin is mammalian sourced and not marine sourced; it's much more effective.

My lab has Yumove but there are loads of brands available.

My vets swear by Salmon Oil as a supplement for joint problems

I've found the Dorwest Herbs (in tablet form) to be very effective.  I take them myself too, and they work better than the human version that I was taking, combined with fish oil.

> It's worth having a read of the details of this study

Blimey, thanks for that Jan. Amazing that so many don't actually have any chondroitin in them despite claiming up to 400mg, and reputable makes too! I wish they'd checked the zipvit ones that I buy. From that chart Holland and Barrett look like very good value for money :-)

Don't get Asda's then as they have what JG says to avoid!!! Lol just checked my bottle of pills.. That's why they are cheap lol

I give my girls fish oil tablets from Holland and Barratt and work really well. Puds my ten year old with severe HD is still going strong and only has metacam on very rare occasions.

I've been giving my terrier 'Vet's Kitchen Active Joints Glucosamine'. He has arthritis in both elbows and until May had been in a lot of discomfort and certainly not a happy dog. He then started hydrotherapy once a week (now once a fortnight) and this supplement. Well, the difference in him is amazing - even the vet said that one or both of these things is have a great effect and to just carry on. He still has a slight limp but it's obvious he is a much happier dog. I realise I'm probably paying more for the 'celeb' name attached to it but it's so easy to use as it's in liquid form and just a small amount gets drizzled over his food.
Does anybody else use it ?. Does anybody feel that it's not good ?. Interested to know views. I'll carry on with it for the time being as I'm scared to change what seems to be working.

Many thanks for all the comments and the link to the comparison chart is amazing, well known brands not doing so well. Now I have some idea of the dos and don'ts I will look around and do research to look up all the names mentioned.

I'm very grateful for the advice.
Sue

my vet has one of my girls on this http://your-pet.co.uk/joint-vital raves over it!

Jeanjeanie, have looked at the study you've posted, interesting reading! Could you explain the different Glucosamine types in the last column? HCI, 2KCI, Sulphate?

I have Cosequin DS which I'm just about to start giving my Golden again. On the label it states each tablet has 500mg HCI Glucosamine, and 400 mg Sodium Condrotin Sulphate. Am not sure which human alternative would be the best to give him. The Cosequin DS is rediculously expensive and although previously his insurance has paid, I'm thinking if I can get him onto a suitable cheaper alternative I'll just go and buy some! Also give Salmon oil.

Is it ok to give the human tablets to the dogs?

>Could you explain the different Glucosamine types in the last column? HCI, 2KCI, Sulphate?

Oo-er, it's a bit onthe technical side for me! This article helps a bit. I'm told there's 75% less glucosamine in a gram of G.Sulphate than in the equivalent HCL. Glucosamine Hydrochloride is the form you should be checking for, as that's much more effective and has a longer shelf life.

Regarding the chondroitin, that from a marine source has 10% the absorption rate of that from a mammalian source; often cheaper, but you need to take 90% more to get the same effect.

Looking at the chart it seems that Sainsbury's Healthy Joints is one of the best.

So if I purchased the tablets from Sainsbury, are they still ok to give to the dogs? Could do with some for myself tbh as I'm starting to get arthritis, but my boy who needs to start taking his Cosequin again (will keep him on them this time!!) could take these instead of mega money for the Cosequin.

I seem to remember a study that said that the only supplement where the tests had proven a benefit was green lipped mussel. The other studies were too 'loosely' conducted to be conclusive. Not to say they aren't but apparently GLM had properly proven tests behind it. Although they don't know why it seems to work!  Personally I use Yumove, and have to say I really see the difference in my girl with DJD.