Adequan® Canine

Q: What is canine osteoarthritis?

A: Canine osteoarthritis is a common cause of joint failure with stiffness, loss of mobility and varying degrees of inflammation and pain. It is commonly caused by joint instability due to slack/lax ligaments; it can also result from strains, direct or indirect injury and from faulty bone and cartilage development. Less efficient repair process in the older animal makes age a contributing factor, and the condition may be exacerbated by obesity and/or overexertion.

Once joint cells are stressed or damaged, enzymes are released which fray and ulcerate joint cartilage and which attack the lubricants of the joint fluid. As a result of the damage, the joint lining and capsule becomes inflamed and the bone underlying the cartilage less resilient. It is only when these sensitive tissues (both capsule and bone) are affected, often after significant articular cartilage damage, that we can see the clinical signs of pain, swelling and stiffness.

Q: What are the clinical signs of canine osteoarthritis?

A: The beginning stages of this disease are not readily apparent, but, once the deterioration has reached the synovial membrane and/or the bone beneath joint cartilage, painful inflammation begins. The first visible sign of osteoarthritis pain may come in the form of a limp, a decrease in activity, stiffness (especially after rest), difficulty getting up, lying down, or climbing stairs or an inability to jump into the car.

Q: What are the six most common joint conditions?

A: SIX MOST COMMON JOINT CONDITIONS

Diagnosis	Description	Common Causes
Hip dysplasia	A debilitating degeneration of the ball-and-socket hip joint associated with joint laxity.	Most common in large dogs, hip dysplasia can run in families of dogs, but it also can occur with no family history of the condition. Other factors include diet (unbalanced, excessive, or deficient), exercise (too much/too little), and traumatic injury.
Ruptured cruciate ligament(s)	A tear of one or both of the ligaments that stabilize the knee (stifle joint), causing a painful, debilitating degeneration of the hinged knee joint.	Occurs when excessive stress is placed on the knee joint, such as when jumping into a car or pickup truck, pivoting at high speeds, or during ordinary activity in dogs with developmentally unstable knees.
Osteochondritis dissecans, or OCD	The result of improper bone development just beneath the cartilage, causing a "hangnail" of cartilage to peel away from the bone and protrude into the joint causing secondary osteoarthritis.	Most common in large breeds during rapid growth, OCD can run in families of dogs, but it also can occur in dogs with no family history of the condition. Other factors include diet (unbalanced, excessive, or deficient), exercise (too much/too little), and traumatic injury during growth.
Spondylitis	A degenerative condition in one or more joints of the spinal column.	Results from repeated stress on the joints of the spine in active dogs. It also can occur in dogs that are developmentally predisposed because of unstable joint structure in the spine.
Traumatic Joint Injury	Joint injury due to direct or indirect trauma, often repeated injuries which may not be individually apparent but have a cumulative effect.	Direct injury, inclusive of surgical procedures of the joint, fractures which extend into the joint, the repetitive injury of bone chips and fractures involving joint surfaces and the repetitive 'micro' injuries associated with overwork
Geriatric Arthritis	Degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) of one or more joints worsened by old age with associated slower repair and growth processes of aging joint tissues.	Can occur in joints that were harshly used in younger years. It also can be a feature of normal aging, affecting most or all of the joints in the body.

Q: How does Adequan^® Canine (POLYSULFATED GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN) work?

A: Adequan^® Canine (POLYSULFATED GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN) stimulates cartilage repair processes, binds to damaged cartilage and suppresses the enzymes that eat away at joints. It helps keep joints lubricated, making movement easier and increases your dog's comfort by reducing inflammation and relieving pain.

Q: How is Adequan^® Canine different from other osteoarthritis treatments?

A: Adequan^® Canine is a member of a unique class of drugs called Disease-Modifying Osteoarthritis Drugs (DMOAD). It is an injectable POLYSULFATED GLYOSAMINOGLYCAN (PSGAG) and is the only FDA approved product of its type in the arthritis treatment market. It's a prescription-only injection administered by licensed veterinarians.

Adequan^® Canine (POLYSULFATED GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN) is the only product on the market that has been clinically shown to help treat the disease while also offering relief from pain. It modifies the disease cycle, stimulates cartilage repair processes and diminishes joint damage while also reducing the pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Q: How safe is Adequan^® Canine?

A: At the recommended dose, Adequan^® Canine (POLYSULFATED GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN) has been well tolerated and its safety has been consistently demonstrated. No toxic effects have been observed in studies with recommended doses. Adverse reactions were rare, mild and transient. A safe, effective dose of Adequan^® Canine has been approved by the FDA, so you can have confidence in its effectiveness and safety. Safety studies of PSGAG in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs have not been conducted.

Q: Are there any side effects associated with Adequan^® Canine?

A: In clinical safety and efficacy studies, possible drug-related adverse reactions were reported in fewer than five dogs (out of 156) and were mild in nature. Possible side effects (pain at injection site, vomiting, diarrhea, depression and abnormal bleeding) were mild, transient and self-limiting. The most frequently reported side effect was transient pain at the injection site (1.8 percent of the total injections).

Q: When should I start my dog on Adequan^® Canine?

A: To truly control your dog's arthritis, you have to look at the big picture. If he is overweight, that's not helping. Be sure to put him on a weight control diet. Also, provide him with controlled exercise which is essential to facilitate adequate supply of nutrition to the joint tissues. And, as soon as arthritis is diagnosed, ask your veterinarian for Adequan^® Canine (POLYSULFATED GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN). It is important to limit any potential cartilage damage as soon as possible - the articular cartilage is unlikely to heal.

Q: How long will it take to see results with Adequan^® Canine?

A: You may see significant improvement by the second or third injection and maximal benefits are seen after the entire, eight-injection treatment course is completed. In clinical studies, 78.5 percent of dogs that responded to Adequan^® Canine were still improved six months later. But if you are tempted to stop therapy as soon as you see the first signs of improvement, think again. To achieve the maximum benefits of blocking cartilage destruction and stimulating joint repair processes and lubrication, make sure your dog receives the entire eight-injection series

Q: Are there any medical problems my dog may have that would prohibit him from using Adequan^® Canine?

A: Adequan^® Canine (POLYSULFATED GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN) should not be used in dogs showing hypersensitivity to PSGAG or in dogs with known or suspected bleeding disorders. It should be used with caution in dogs with renal or hepatic impairment.

Q: Is Adequan^® Canine compatible with other medications my dog may be taking?

A: You should always consult your veterinarian before combining Adequan^® Canine with other medications.

Q: Where can I get Adequan^® Canine?

A: Ask your veterinarian. Adequan^® Canine (POLYSULFATED GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN) is a prescription product that can only be dispensed and administered by licensed veterinarians.

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