Is synoquin better for my dog?

Margaret Brazear

I have been giving Joshua glucosomine and chondroitin, as advised by the vet. He told me the human kind of glucosomine was just as good and cheaper, so that is what he has been having. But I have been reading that glucosomine hydrochlorate is better for dogs than sulphate, and I can´t seem to get any of this. He seems ok on what he is having at the moment, but I want to do the best for him. Synoquin is a lot more expensive, but my main worry is how much of each is in it. At the moment he is having 2000mg glucosomine and 1000mg chondroitin. I also give him green lipped mussel. Next time I am running out, should I try synoquin?

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09 Aug 2010 19:08

Margaret Brazear

Thanks, Cat. His arthritis isn´t covered by insurance, which is why the vet suggested the human ones. He is fine at the moment, but I think I might change him in a few months. Thanks for your reply.

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09 Aug 2010 17:10

Cat the Vet

HI Margaret,

My apologies for not answering your question sooner.

Most of the human preparations of Glucosamine contain Glucosamine Sulphate, which is cheaper and less pure than Glucosamine Hydrochloride, which is what is present in the veterinary drugs. Glucosamine Hydrochloride has a higher ´bioavailability´, which means that more of the product can be used by the body and so it is more efficient. I normally advise my clients that for simply active animals in whom they want to provide extra joint protection, or those with only mild arthritis, human preparations are adequate, whereas for more advanced cases of the disease, the dog specific preparations are better.

Also the veterainary preparations tend to contain other ingredients which aid the joints, just as Turmeric or MSM, which increase their efficiency even further.

Essentially for most clients the choice they make boils down to cost but it is important to remember that the veterinary joint supplements tend to be covered by insurance, unlike the human ones which they rarely pay for. Also, with the dog specific medications, they often are better at reducing the amounts of actual drugs the dog needs and so it can work out the same or even cheaper in the long run.

Cat