Protecting Joint Cartilage with Glucosamine and Chondroitin Chondroprotective Supplements

What Is A Chondroprotective?

Chondroprotectives are nutrients found in joint supplements that have become popular because of their amazing ability to resolve joint pain. Many pet owners prefer to use chondroprotectives like glucosamine and chondroitin because they work to help the body become healthier rather than mask symptoms. They also have relatively few side effects and allow pets to take fewer prescription drugs. In addition, most nutraceuticals (antioxidants, fatty acids, and chondroprotectives) can be taken before injury occurs so that pets are predisposed to have a less significant loss of function. Because they work naturally, changing the body one cell at a time, it generally takes several weeks before we observe the benefit from taking joint supplements in the pet's body. Just as benefits are slow to materialize, they are also slow to leave if the nutraceutical is stopped; that is, they have a carry-over effect and there is continued improvement over time. Fortunately, chondroprotective supplements—unlike many drugs—are generally safe to use for long periods, even for a lifetime.

Bone and joint diseases are the most common reasons we give pets joint supplements. They are used for arthritis, knee ligament injury (anterior cruciate ligament disease or ACL), canine hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, dislocating knee cap (patellar dislocation), rheumatoid or septic arthritis, abnormal joint cartilage development (osteochondritis dissecans or OCD), and spinal arthritis (spondylosis deformans).

Chondroprotective supplements have also been used to help pets with inflammation throughout the body, especially areas bathed by fluid or mucus. For example, a hacking kennel cough due to an inflamed trachea—which is simply cartilage with a mucous lining—can be eased with chondroprotectives. Inflammation of the eye (anterior uveitis) can benefit from glucosamines and chondroitins. A pet that urinates frequently due to an irritated bladder lining can benefit from products containing glucosamine and chondroitin. Research suggests that pets with the potential to develop stomach ulcers due to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Rimadyl, may benefit from glucosamine and chondroitin in chondroprotectives. The stomach, like the eye, the bladder, and the trachea, is an area of the body with a mucous or fluid layer of protection. Areas with this structure and function appear to benefit from chondroprotective nutraceuticals.

Examples of Chondroprotective joint supplements used for pets?

Most joint supplements contain chondroprotectives such as glucosamine, chondroitin, SAMe, and perna. Examples of chondroprotective joint supplements are 1-800-PetMeds Super Joint Enhancer for Dogs, 1-800-PetMeds Joint Enhancer for Cats, and 1-800-PetMeds Joint Flexor, Cosequin, Glyco-Flex, Synovi G3 Chews (over the counter), and injectible Adequan and Legend which require a prescription.

If your pet has pain, use chondroprotective supplements with MSM. We recommend these products containing chondroprotectives and MSM: 1-800-PetMeds Super Joint Enhancer (glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM), Synovi G3 Chews, Synovi G3 Soft Chews, Synovi MSM Chews, Glyco-Flex II, Glyco-Flex II for Cats, Glyco-Flex III for maximum joint pain relief.

Examples of specific chondroprotective joint supplements & their benefits

1. Chondroitin for dogs and cats

Chondroitin has 3 major functions:
1. inhibits the white blood cell enzymes that damage cartilage
2. facilitates the absorption of nutrients into cartilage
3. stimulates, or up-regulates, cartilage synthesis

There appears to be a synergistic benefit from using glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate together; that is, the benefit is greater than obtained when using them alone. Chondroitin comes from cartilage in cattle and sharks. Usually the trachea and lung tissue is used. Chondroitin is a large molecule, and its size is measured in "daltons." Some products, such as Cosequin, contain a smaller molecule or a low-molecular-weight form of chondroitin that may be more easily absorbed and transported to the joints.

2. Glucosamine for dogs and cats

Glucosamine has 3 major functions:
1. stimulates cartilage to produce the mortar (glycosaminoglycans) that holds moisture around the bricks (cartilage cells)
2. stimulates cartilage to produce collagen, which is similar to reinforcing fibers, within cartilage
3. can be used to produce hyaluronic acid in synovial fluid

Glucosamine comes from the chitin or exoskeleton of crab, lobster, and shrimp. It is generally safe for fish-allergic pets. These pets typically have allergies to fish protein, but not to the shell.

3. SAMe for dogs and cats

SAMe (S-Adenosyl-Methionine) has been shown in European studies to benefit humans with arthritis. It protects the joint by:
1. decreasing inflammation
2. decreasing pain
3. scavenging free radicals that damage cartilage

We recommend Denosyl for pets that should have SAMe.

4. Perna for dogs and cats

If cartilage consists of bricks (cartilage cells) and mortar (the glycosaminoglycans matrix), Perna provides mortar material. Perna canaliculus is a sea mussel that contains naturally occurring glycosaminoglycans, including chondroitin and hyaluronic acid. It also provides amino acids, enzymes, nucleic acids, and chelated minerals. It helps increase synovial fluid viscosity and relieves pain and stiffness.

Why does cartilage need protecting?

Cartilage needs protection since bone is subjected to concussive force. Cartilage works like a padded boxing glove absorbing blows to the bone. Cartilage protects our pets' joints when they jump down from cupboards, off beds, and out of pickups. Imagine how your joints would feel taking the same leap. Many of us don't dare do what our pets do every day. Without protection, the cartilage deteriorates and bone contacts bare bone. While cartilage doesn't have nerves, bone does; and without cartilage cushioning, this contact is painful.

How do chondroprotective joint supplements work?

Using chemically marked chondroprotectives, research has shown these molecules are absorbed by the pet's digestive system and delivered to the joints. Inside the joint, the cartilage cells (chondrocytes) rest like bricks in a glistening mortar made of resilient material. Chondroprotectives affect both the bricks and the mortar. They hold onto water molecules that keep cartilage flexible, and they stimulate the chondrocytes to remove debris and to form new cells.

Nature designed a cartilage protection and lubrication system consisting of synovial cells and synovial fluid that is sealed inside a synovial membrane. Damage to the joint causes white blood cells to migrate into this system. Although white blood cells intend to attack an intruder and help the body, in fact, they release enzymes that are destructive to the inside of a joint. These enzymes thin the synovial fluid so that it no longer offers protection to concussive force because it is thinner and has less viscosity. Cartilage is also damaged by white blood cells; it thins and pits, no longer providing the padded protection of a boxer's glove. Chips and slaps of cartilage erode and expose bare bone. Now bone touches bone. Because bone contains nerves (cartilage does not) the joint aches.

When should a pet begin using chondroprotective joint supplements?

Begin chondroprotectives early in the pet's life. Research evidence suggests pets taking chondroprotectives develop less joint damage whenever they experience joint trauma. Certainly start pets on these supplements when a joint is injured. Estimates are that 80-90% of our senior pets have arthritis; it's likely the majority of pets would benefit by receiving chondroprotectives.

Joint supplements: injectible or oral?

Injectible Adequan and Legend are prescription chondroprotectives given in a series of injections. Many recommend using them to prevent injury in athletic animals, such as racehorses and working dogs. They are also recommended for pets immediately after injury. When the series of injections is completed, oral chondroprotectives are used.

For Adequan, injections into the muscle are given every 3-5 days for 4 weeks. Monthly follow-up injections can be given. Puppies with parents that had canine hip dysplasia who were given bi-weekly Adequan injections for 6 weeks had less degenerative joint disease as adults. Legend is also given in a series of injections. It is approved for use in horses, but some veterinarians also use in dogs and cats.

How do chondroprotective jont supplements compare with NSAID pain medications?

In general, NSAIDs stop acute joint pain more efficiently than glucosamine and chondroitin, but chondroprotectives are better at relieving joint pain over the long term. Because the chondroprotective is absorbed and incorporated into the joint cells, it takes several weeks before the joint has improved to the point the pet feels less pain. Adding MSM to the chondroprotective increases the supplement's ability to relieve joint pain immediately. These chondroprotectives contain MSM: 1-800-PetMeds Super Joint Enhancer for dogs, Glyco-Flex II and III, and the Synovi G3 products.

Is there research that chondroprotective joint supplements work?

In research studies of Labrador puppies genetically inclined to develop hip dysplasia, those given injections of chondroprotectives (like Adequan) twice a week until 8 months of age had significantly more normal hips than the puppies not given chondroprotectives.

What evidence can you see in your pet that joint supplements are working?

Dogs benefiting from chondroprotectives demonstrate

Using chondroprotectives with other medications

Chondroprotectives can be used with many other medications and supplements: NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and Omega 3 fatty acids. When pets use chondroprotectives with NSAIDs, they can usually decrease the amount of NSAID needed, or the frequency with which it is needed. The same is true of prednisone and the other corticosteroids—supplementing with chondroprotectives often reduces the frequency and amount of corticosteroid a pet needs to stay comfortable.

Chondroprotectives are often used with Omega fatty acids. In fact, some supplements have been formulated to contain both chondroprotectives and Omega fatty acids: Arthramine, Missing Link with glucosamine.

We recommend supplementing with enzymes like Prozyme and NaturVet Enzymes & Probiotics and Probiotics to increase the digestion and absorption of these valuable supplements.