Adequan?

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Priya&Missy

Priya&Missy

Member Since 2019
Hi everyone,
Missy has severe arthritis that’s causing her back legs to slide under her and she falls over a lot. She’s on gabapentin for pain.
I’m thinking about trying Adequan injections but I can’t find out online if it’ll cause worse blood sugar levels or not? Can anyone tell me their experience using it?
 
I’m hesitant to try any steroids because the reason she’s out of remission is from prednisolone. I’d like to avoid them if possible if that means she can go back into remission.
 
Has the vet diagnosed arthritis via x-rays?
When was the last time that Missy had blood work done?
My experience with arthritis the the animal h looks like they have pain when moving, not legs sliding out.
I have two civis on Adequan so do not know effect on BG.
 
Larry and Kitties said:
Has the vet diagnosed arthritis via x-rays?
When was the last time that Missy had blood work done?
My experience with arthritis the the animal h looks like they have pain when moving, not legs sliding out.
I have two civis on Adequan so do not know effect on BG.
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Yep it’s been diagnosed through x-rays. I forget what it’s called but it showed up in the spine. She got bloodwork done a month ago. She has trouble jumping up on things, walks slowly, has to adjust her position several times when she lays down, etc. I can tell she’s uncomfortable.
Her legs slide more on hardwood floor and less on carpet.
 
My experience with Adequan was in a civvie as well so I can't comment on BG, but plenty of people on the board use Cosequin (which is a related glycosaminoglycan, but in oral form), and I haven't seen any of them mention increase in BG. You could also search the forums for Cosequin and see what people say. My guess...just a guess!...is that it wouldn't affect BG negatively. If there is pain involved, and the pain is relieved, then I would think that it would reduce BG?

This is a good site that runs down many options:
https://www.bestfriendsvet.com/library/orthopedics/rehabilitation/arthritis-treatment-options/
 
I would go with the adequan. My civi Moxie has had problems (diagnosed via xrays, including spin recently) since 9 months (she is now 12 yr). She typically eats sitting down. I started with cosequin, then added gabapentin and then added Adequan. There was improvement with each but most improvement with the Adequan.
 
Lots of kitties here have been in Adequan. It can actually improve BG if it helps with pain and inflammation. My Neko was on Cartrophen (Canada), not Adequan and it did help somewhat. She was also on Duralactin (anti inflammatory) and got buprenorphine and acupuncture for pain.
 
Thanks everyone! I’m going to ask my vet for a prescription. I hate seeing Missy unable to get around the house comfortably. It makes me sad. She spends most of the day sleeping or laying in awkward positions. Poor thing. I hope it helps her!
 
Wendy&Neko said:
One of my best investments was a memory foam bed for Neko. She loved it, much easier on her joints. I got a medium dog sized one, solid piece of foam. Good prices on Amazon.
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I have a heated bed for her but she only uses it in the winter. Otherwise she likes just laying on the floor or my bed
 
I got a memory foam bed for Idjit too. He has his soft thick pile blanket on it and seems to be very comfortable.
 
Idjit's mom said:
Priya, do a search for Adequan or adequan. There have been many discussions about it, @JanetNJ @Bronx's dad and I think @jayla-n-Drevon use it also, and have some very good input.

I am also researching and considering Adequan in future for Idjit for his front limb arthritis.
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Adequan has been a miracle for my boys. Starting before it gets bad will get the best results. I started the boys at about 15 and 16-- Rico just passed and he was 21 and trotted up and down stairs jumped no problem even though he had terrible arthritis in his spine. Dre is a big boy and it has greatly helped him as well. I now give it 1x a week as aging has no mercy :(
It will slow the progression of arthritis and it seems to have a good effect on any pain or stiffness.
 
jayla-n-Drevon said:
Adequan has been a miracle for my boys. Starting before it gets bad will get the best results. I started the boys at about 15 and 16-- Rico just passed and he was 21 and trotted up and down stairs jumped no problem even though he had terrible arthritis in his spine. Dre is a big boy and it has greatly helped him as well. I now give it 1x a week as aging has no mercy :(
It will slow the progression of arthritis and it seems to have a good effect on any pain or stiffness.
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Thanks for sharing your experience! It seemed to get really bad all of a sudden for Missy just the past month. I asked the vet for a prescription and I’m hopeful it’ll help her out. I’ve heard so many success stories. What dose do you use and how often? I see conflicting information online.
 
Priya&Missy said:
What dose do you use and how often? I see conflicting information online.
Click to expand...

I had conflicting information too, just started my civie on Adequan a couple months ago. I ended up doing double the weight (kitty weighs 10 lbs, I give 20 units on U-100) and loading dose was 8 doses every four days, then once a month. I didn't see any improvement until the last loading dose, then he started zipping up and down the pine trees.
 
Panic said:
I had conflicting information too, just started my civie on Adequan a couple months ago. I ended up doing double the weight (kitty weighs 10 lbs, I give 20 units on U-100) and loading dose was 8 doses every four days, then once a month. I didn't see any improvement until the last loading dose, then he started zipping up and down the pine trees.
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I read it’s twice a week for 4 weeks and then once a month? I’m so confused!
 
Panic said:
It's basically the same thing honestly! Every 4 days puts you at (roughly) twice a week, and with 8 loading doses you end up doing it for 4 weeks.
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Okay gotcha. I read some people continue giving it once a week for months / years or else the improvement they see goes away...
 
Priya&Missy said:
Okay gotcha. I read some people continue giving it once a week for months / years or else the improvement they see goes away...
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From what I understand it depends on how badly the cat needs it. I believe you can start at once a month and take note if kitty starts getting achy before the month is up you'll adjust to every other week, once a week, every 3 days, or whatever the cat ultimately needs. I don't have experience with that yet since my civie just finished his loading dose about a month ago. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I believe it was said you can't overdose a cat on Adequan at least.
 
Priya&Missy said:
Thanks for sharing your experience! It seemed to get really bad all of a sudden for Missy just the past month. I asked the vet for a prescription and I’m hopeful it’ll help her out. I’ve heard so many success stories. What dose do you use and how often? I see conflicting information online.
Click to expand...
Hi!
Many conventional vets for some reason don't ask anyone with a senior pet to get adequan on board and I just don't understand that thought process..

Dosing is most easy for me using a 1ml syringe, I find it much easier to dose you can get them and the needles at
https://www.calvetsupply.com. No need for script for needles either.
Some use a insulin syringe @Larry and Kitties has the measure breakdown.
Dose
Dre weighs 16/17 pounds
16-17 X2=32/33
32-33=0.3.5 dose
My vet always rounds up with adequan, Dre used to weigh 20 pounds so 20X2=40. 40=0.4dose

Just FYI there is a loading dose-
Loading dose is shot every 4 days for a total of 8 shots.
After loading dose you basically gauge her to determine how far in between you can go.
You don't want to give it more than ever 4 days and no longer than 1x a month.
Sometimes Dre gets it in 4 days and sometimes 2 week-generally we aim for 1x a week. BUT when we started it was monthly as I was doing preventive care and increased frequency as needed.
 
@Panic is right on ! If needed you can continue every 4 days.... sooner than the 4 days is pointless I am told but if you go past the month another loading dose is needed. I think you will be happy with the results. It may be good to journal symptoms etc... so you can gauge progress and it may help you with dosing.
The great thing about it is your not confined to the same frequency and can give the shot when needed.
Dre gets a shot every Sunday but sometimes in the winter we do 4 days if he looks like he needs it.
 
jayla-n-Drevon said:
Hi!
Many conventional vets for some reason don't ask anyone with a senior pet to get adequan on board and I just don't understand that thought process..

Dosing is most easy for me using a 1ml syringe, I find it much easier to dose you can get them and the needles at
https://www.calvetsupply.com. No need for script for needles either.
Some use a insulin syringe @Larry and Kitties has the measure breakdown.
Dose
Dre weighs 16/17 pounds
16-17 X2=32/33
32-33=0.3.5 dose
My vet always rounds up with adequan, Dre used to weigh 20 pounds so 20X2=40. 40=0.4dose

Just FYI there is a loading dose-
Loading dose is shot every 4 days for a total of 8 shots.
After loading dose you basically gauge her to determine how far in between you can go.
You don't want to give it more than ever 4 days and no longer than 1x a month.
Sometimes Dre gets it in 4 days and sometimes 2 week-generally we aim for 1x a week. BUT when we started it was monthly as I was doing preventive care and increased frequency as needed.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info! I have 1 ml syringes with needles already. Can I inject the Adequan into the port on an IV line? That’s how I give Missy her vitamin b12 and it’s convenient because it gets done at the same time as her fluids.

Missy is under 7 lbs so would her dose be 0.14?
 
Priya&Missy said:
Thanks for the info! I have 1 ml syringes with needles already. Can I inject the Adequan into the port on an IV line? That’s how I give Missy her vitamin b12 and it’s convenient because it gets done at the same time as her fluids.

Missy is under 7 lbs so would her dose be 0.14?
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You can do the 0.14
I’m never sure how to write that I always want to write 0.1.4
I personally would round up a little at least for the loading dose but whichever your comfortable with.
I would not inject in the port as it will dilute it.
I wait a few hours after fluids with Dre.
It cost too much to waste :)
With her being so small you can use a insulin syringe if you prefer
@Larry and Kitties is a good source for that dosing.
I think it would be 14/15 units but I’m not positive
 
jayla-n-Drevon said:
You can do the 0.14
I’m never sure how to write that I always want to write 0.1.4
I personally would round up a little at least for the loading dose but whichever your comfortable with.
I would not inject in the port as it will dilute it.
I wait a few hours after fluids with Dre.
It cost too much to waste :)
With her being so small you can use a insulin syringe if you prefer
@Larry and Kitties is a good source for that dosing.
I think it would be 14/15 units but I’m not positive
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info! My vet emailed me back saying the same thing - not injecting it in the port during fluids. I guess it does make sense. Just a shame to have to poke her again..
 
Larry and Kitties said:
This https://www.petplace.com/article/dr...-glycosaminoglycan-adequan-for-dogs-and-cats/ includes:
For cats, the dose is 0.5 mg to 2.5 mg per pound (1 to 5 mg/kg) in the muscle every 4 days for six doses. Other protocols include using PSGAG at 2.5 mg per pound twice a eek for 4 weeks then weekly for 4 weeks then monthly.

I used the latter subQ
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Thank you. What injection site did you use? Missy has long fur and she’s very thin so I’m worried I won’t be able to find a good spot on her body
 
I inject mine the same places where insulin is injected. It can be hard for a skinny cat.
I also use an insulin syringe. The lower gauge is easier since Adequan is thicker than insulin. A 29 G workes better than a 30G. I have never used/had to use a 31G.
 
Larry and Kitties said:
I inject mine the same places where insulin is injected. It can be hard for a skinny cat.
I also use an insulin syringe. The lower gauge is easier since Adequan is thicker than insulin. A 29 G workes better than a 30G. I have never used/had to use a 31G.
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I use a 1 ml syringe with a needle but it’s 25g which looks kinda painful. I wanted to use the insulin syringe (30 gauge) but I couldn’t figure out how to convert the dose.
I gave Missy 0.15ml on the 1ml syringe today. How much would that be on a 0.3ml syringe? I’m bad at math... ;)
 
Priya&Missy said:
I use a 1 ml syringe with a needle but it’s 25g which looks kinda painful. I wanted to use the insulin syringe (30 gauge) but I couldn’t figure out how to convert the dose.
I gave Missy 0.15ml on the 1ml syringe today. How much would that be on a 0.3ml syringe? I’m bad at math... ;)
Click to expand...

I think it would be 15 units then, right?
 
I think it is 15 units too but I would wait till @Larry and Kitties responds

You can give it higher on the neck or the belly.... I give Dre his insulin in the belly and I thought at first it would hurt but he doesn't even notice. She is a teeny one!
Your going to be so happy when it kicks in!
 
jayla-n-Drevon said:
I think it is 15 units too but I would wait till @Larry and Kitties responds

You can give it higher on the neck or the belly.... I give Dre his insulin in the belly and I thought at first it would hurt but he doesn't even notice. She is a teeny one!
Your going to be so happy when it kicks in!
Click to expand...

I give insulin in the belly too because it’s easier to pinch the skin and see it properly. I can’t see anything on her back / neck / shoulders because of all the long hair. And the skin is scarred at the scruff from getting subq fluids for years...
 
I hear ya--Dre has been getting fluids about 8 years but he has much more body mass than your little one. On Dre I don't even need to pinch the belly skin he has "chubbies":oops:

You may want to consider shaving a spot--you can camouflage it if you find a decent groomer or you can do it?
Dre is definitely easier when he is trimmed short. I should say I can see it better and be assured he got it.
 
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