Cosequin vs. Glycoflex

[NeedsAdvil]

Hi All,

Does anyone have experience between the two? I have an elderly lab (15yrs) who is starting to have some weakness in his hind end. He has been getting very high quality liquid fish oil on his food for some time, and the little Cosequin bonelets. Before that, I actually gave him a human joint supplement, which the vet said was fine, but after a while he stopped eating it, since it isn’t yummy I had a previous dog who was on the original Glycoflex after having two ACL operations and he had WONDERFUL results, although he was not old at the time. I have a hard time telling if the Cosequin is really helping…and am considering ordering the Glycoflex III from Smartpak instead.

Has anyone out there used both and noticed a difference of one or the other? They are around the same price, so that’s not even a concern. I guess I was just so excited at how much the Glycoflex seemed to help my other dog that I feel like maybe it will have a really good result on my older guy. I also know Cosequin is really top of the line as far as joint supplements go…I guess I can’t really go wrong, but since he’s already ancient, I don’t really want to waste time on a less effective solution…I want him as comfortable as possible for as long as possible. I would love any feedback from those who have used these products.

[Lone]

I don’t have experience with either of those two, but we have had really good luck using Adequan on our two labs that have arthritis.

I hope you can fine something that works!

[Bicoastal]

Scratch that! I meant SynoviGIII. My mistake, sorry OP. I have no experience with Glycoflex. Whoops.

[NeedsAdvil]

I do remember the Glycoflex being smelly, but if the benefits are worth it, I’m willing to deal with that! I am going to give it a try…and talk to my vet about Adequan. I hadn’t even thought about it for dogs! It might be just the ticket to get him more comfortable before he really declines. :yes:

[bits619]

I’ve known of two dogs that have done AMAZINGLY with glycoflex- unfortunately, I don’t know what formula/strength it was. No experience with cosequin or the others.

[Houndhill]

Personally I have had better response with the equine Glycoflex II compared to Cosequin, but then we may be dealing with different issues. My geriatric wolfhounds sometimes have hind end weakness, but they do not have hip dysplasia and it is possible your dog does. The older wolfhounds sometimes have spinal arthritis which causes the rear end weakness, though. I have also had very good results with Adequan injections for some things, but not others. I would give Adequan injections a try, and the Glycoflex II which has the perna mussels, MSN, and glucosemine chondriton. I beleive. I get the equine pellets as my guys are 150-200 pounds and it is more economical.
Some older dogs do respond well to NSAIDs, too. At this point, whatever makes him comfortable! The Pill Pockets or a bit of liverwurst may help with pill acceptance…mine like the glycoflex pellets quite well, they are apple and molasses flavored. It comes in a powder too which you could mix with canned or something yummy.

[lovey1121]

God bless your 15 yr.old Labberdawg! Screw the Glycoflex! Or at least, use it WITH an NSAId. Git thyself to thy vet ASAP, and get some joint candy for your boy!! My favorite “big-gun” is the NSAID Metacam, but there are a bunch–Deramaxx, Previcox, etc etc…a 15 y.o.Lab???..Dont wait…start on some NSAID ASAP-blood test for liver function will probably be recc’d…He will LOVE you for it!! From your moniker it sounds like you already know the blessed effects of a good dose of an effective NSAID!!::winkgrin:

Dont wait any longer–not too many 15 yr. old Labs out there, and even less 16 yr. olds…:no::no::no::no::no:

[NeedsAdvil]

Thanks everyone! My guy has had bloodwork done recently as part of his “senior wellness exam” and they said he has the bloodwork of a 5 year old. He is positive for Lymes, and was marginally symptomatic, did a course of doxy, and is great now. The vet hasn’t recommended and NSAID, but he has a follow up in 2 weeks and I will definitely talk to them about that vs. adequan or both. He still plays fetch and is super active for his age, and it’s only been within the last 2 years that he has slowed down. He used to go on loooong trail rides with me, now he hangs back at the barn voluntarily. Which is great, because he is almost completely deaf, so I always worry about him wandering on the trail and not being able to hear me calling.

I got him at the humane society as a 2 year old 13 years ago this month. He is a wonderful dog, friend, and brother to his younger sister. He has traveled the country with me when I was a working student and then on the road barn manager. Then we lived on the water for a while where he got to enjoy daily swims. We live on a farmette now, and he has lots of doggy friends who he is absolutely exuberant to see each morning. He has had a really good life, and anything that I can do to keep him happy, lively, and comfortable will be done. I hate seeing him when he gets frustrated when stairs are tough, or he can’t jump for the frisbee.

Through his attitude and personality, he has taught me the meaning of gratitude. He has never for one moment ever angered me. He lives to be a good boy and has been wildly successful at it. Smartpak will be delivering the Glycoflex III on tuesday. We are finishing up the cosequin until then and I am seriously considering massage and acupuncture for him. He deserves all the dignity and comfort I can provide.

[lovey1121]

Wow, your senior citizen sounds like a wonderful boy who has lived a life that dogs dream of! I am amazed that he still plays fetch!.. Although its very hard on their joints. I usually quit the retrieving when I see them getting supersore after sessions. Its always a very sad day:cry: for both of us…then I usually only do short throws, and only a few at a time, though if you have a safe pond or lake, the swimming is sooo good for them!:yes:

The massage and acupuncture sound great, and you can do great massages yourself, taking note of the what the therapist does.

One of my most treasured memories is of long trail rides with my 2 blk. labs…all 3 (horse and dogs) have crossed the bridge, but when I was a dogless, horseless barnrat watching the barn owner’s kid go out on her horse followed by her dogs, I vowed someday to have THAT. I didnt aspire to ride in the Olympics, I wanted to ride MY horse on trails with MY dogs. And though I got the bigtime horse, showed in the bigtime shows, and showed my dogs, those trail rides are my most treasured memory:yes::yes::yes:

Sounds like he has had the most wonderful life-the perfect life for a Lab. Both you and he are very lucky.

[wendy]

Smartpak’s brand SmartCanine JointUltra is something else you may want to consider- it has the full complement of joint supplements (chondroitin, glucosamine, MSM, HA) plus omega-3 fatty acids and some herbs that may help with pain and inflammation.

Cosequin just has chondroitin/glucosamine in it, no MSM or HA.
Glycoflex III doesn’t have any chondroitin or HA in it.

Be wary of the ones intended for horses- most don’t have enough chondroitin in them for dogs.

I prefer Hylasport Canine; it has chondroitins, glucosamine, MSM, and HA in it, and unlike the Smartcanine JointUltra comes in a powder instead of pills which I find easier to get dogs to eat.

[2tempe]

OP - I got a 7 month old chow/retriever mix from a shelter 5 years ago; he came complete w/ hip dysplasia in both hips; one worse than the other. Vet recommended Glycoflex and moderate exercise. He has been on it since then, w/ walks typically around 3/4 mile, and now that we live in the south, swimming on a regular basis. He has been FINE, and I’ve even found him w/ paws on the counter occasionally (bad dog!). SO I have to say it has done the job for me. Good luck w/ your boy!

[comingback]

Havent used Glycoflex but wanted to offer another alternative as a current Cosequin user…

My 7 year old lab mix has been on Cosequin DS for about a year. Recently she had x-rays done in prep for cruciate surgery, and the vet noticed some other arthritic changes and recommened Dasuquin with MSM. It’s made by the same company that makes Cosequin (Nutramax). That might be another consideration.

Good luck!

[Hinderella]

My Lab is only 7, but was whimpering-lame after any weekend of heavy activity, and the Glycoflex that had worked so well for my previous dogs did nothing for her. I didn’t want to start her on NSAIDs because she’s still young.

We now have her on something called GLC 1000 that I found at a booth at Equine Affair. It’s a non-prescription joint supplement, which includes both glucosamine & chondriotin. I don’t honestly know what’s different about the formula, but I do know that within one week she was no longer limping or whimpering, and she’s been sound ever since.

It’s available from a number of on line vendors, and it’s worth a try.

Congratulations on having a happy healthy old dog!