Hi Thelma-
Mario is doing great on the adequan...I really recommend anyone with an arthritic cat should try it. He's 16.5 years old, and has had arthritis for a few years now, but it really started progressing this year. He started the adequan in June; we started seeing results within a few injections. Technically, we're at the stage in the protocol where he should be receiving injections once a month, but he doesn't make it quite that long, and we give him a shot when I can tell his discomfort is returning. Last time, he made it almost 3 weeks.
Since on the adequan, he's definitely "looser" and more comfortable. It's probably most noticable when he comes down the stairs - he doesn't "bunny hop" as much as he used to. He also sleeps more sprawled out once again. And some of the spunkiness he had in his younger day has returned. He still can't jump on higher pieces of furniture, like the bed (but he can manage the couches), and is frail in his back end, but given his age I'm thinking those things might not change, even with the adequan.
The cosequin never really seemed to agree with him. I tried it for him on two separate occasions: once several years ago, once earlier this year. Both times I got the same results. At first, it seemed to make him very kitten-like again, but then after that, he almost seemed MORE uncomfortable than before the cosequin. So, once we started the adequan, I decided to punt the cosequin all-together. I'm sure this is just an "every cat is different" situation.
Are you doing the shots at home? Did they tell you the shots can be subQ, and don't have to be intra-muscular? I hope the adequan helps Calistica!
Amy
! I know adequan doesn't work for every cat, but it does seem to work for the vast majority. There are quite a few folks on the board here who have had great success with it. Calistica is in great hands!!!