Which glucosamine supplement?

[Millys Mum]

Cortaflex is the bees knees, have seen it do wonders in horses, HCl is more easily used by the body so thats what makes it better   

[Fire Fox]

Another vote for fish oils - the active constituent of cod liver oil is omega 3, but there is a far higher concentration in fish body oil than cod liver oil.

[Mark]

I think too much vitamin A depletes the vitamin E which is one of the really important vitamins for cats. I think it is the way a lot of things work in synergy such as calcium/Phosphorus.

Fish oil (from Holland & Barrett etc) is good stuff - they have a BOGOHP offer throughout the store right now.

[Janeyk]

As far as I know excess vitamin A from Cod Liver Oil or liver can be toxic to cats

[Desley (booktigger)]

Am sure i read that cats shouldnt have fish liver oils but can't remember where. I have used quite a few supplements, but Molly is incredibly fussy, think there was only the Arthri-Aid we got to use for any length of time.

[fluffybunny]

Thankies!

Please excuse my ignorance - why is it important to go for HCL rather than sulphate?  Also, the cortaflex seems to be component parts of glucosamine which it says are more easily absorbed so the body can make its own...does this mean it's HCL, sulphate, or neither 

[Millys Mum]

I read there is a difference between the glucosamine for bladders and for joints so would always go for the appropriate product.
Cosequin is what i used and find the fussiest of eaters will consume it without noticing 
With glucosamine its important to get the hydrochloride version not the sulphate version which is the much cheaper one 

[fluffybunny]

Thanks so much Christine!

I think I'd worry about the vitamin A content in Cod Liver Oil - it's a fat soluble vitamin so wouldn't it accumulate in the liver, I think I'd worry about the long-term impact of that.  Not really sure though, so interested to hear more too 

[Christine (Blip)]

I'll pop the capsule in the post on Monday, fluffybunny.  I don't know what's in the urinary tract mendications but I imagine they may conatin other active ingredients besides glucosamine.  But I reiterate, I don't know.

I've been wondering about cod liver oil, bonnielass.  Does anyone else have good experience of this for those of us with arthritic cats?

[fluffybunny]

Thanks all - yes I can pill her, but in the long term I think it would be far less stressful if I can sneak something in her food!

Christine - that would be fantastic if you wouldn't mind - I'll pm you my address, thanks    Milly seems to have gained a new lease of life since starting the metacam, yesterday she was legging it around the garden like a kitten    Vet says it's still very mild and we've caught it early...but she said that's what she expects from me...I'm not sure if that's a compliment or a recognition of a paranoid owner 

Incidentally - is there any difference in the glucosamine in things like cystease, which is badged as being for urinary tract problems, as opposed to some of the other glucosamine products which are sold badged for arthritis?

[swampmaxmum]

my vet insists that cystease and cystaid are pretty much the same thing (one is more expensive than the other). cystease capsules are size 2 (I think). Can you pill her? It may be easier than trying to get her to eat it in her food. Poor Milly, hope she's keeping warm 

[bonnielass]

I used to use Synoquin but have also found that a drop of cod liver oil is just as good both George and Eddie (my two oldies ) have a bit in their food every day and its done wonders for them and their coats

[Christine (Blip)]

I'm assured that Cortaflex liquid is generally well-accepted but Blip - who is also very picky about what's in her food - won't take it.  However she happily eats Cosequin powder (from capsules) mixed into her (wet food) breakfast.

I can send you a Cosequin capsule in the post, if you want to try it?

[fluffybunny]

My beloved monster Milly has just been diagnosed with mild arthritis in the spine...the vet has told me to start giving her a glucosamine supplement, but the question is - which one?  There are so many out there, where do you start    Would ideally like something palatable as she's a pretty fussy eater and can spot a tablet in her food at 50 sniffs!

Any advice/suggestions gratefully received. Thanks