IM/IV Joint supplement injections in Canada

[Corky]

Hi all. I searched on this but all the posts I saw were old and mostly American, so can we have a discussion on what is accessible for Canadians currently, general costs and what you’ve had success with? I’m talking about those options for IM/IV injections that support general joint heath and replace feeding joint supplements - not specific injections into one joint.

Adequan? Polyclycan? Pentosan? Legend? HA? Are there others we can get here? What are the general costs like? What was your experience?

Thanks!

[LadyB]

Cartrophen is an option, much like Pentosan. One I only recently heard of, but I believe the Cartrophen is 100mh/ml so its 10cc per shot, but the generic Pentosan is 250mg/ml in 6cc per shot.

I currently have my guy on Pentosan, first loading dose done yesterday.

As many are not a fan of Oral Supplements, I had noticeable physical differences with Triacta HA. My horse is 16 turning 17 this year, schools intermediate in eventing, but shows Prelim. His hocks have been injected twice in the past 2.5 years. Expected to be a yearly injection, so understandable, they will be done again in April, I usually get a year and a half out of the injections.

Starting with Pentosan, the loading cost me $317 for 4 vials at 6 ml. After that it should cost me around $70+hst a vial a month, as I plan on doing this monthly.

Adequan was just too expensive, pretty sure its more than $800+ for the loading doses, but hopefully someone can clarify that. I was quoted around $450 for Polyglycan’s loading dose, then its over $100 a shot. Which most people I spoke to, do it before a hard ride or before a show, not exactly monthly, not something that interests me.

Curious to see what other posters have to say.

[sherian]

similar prices for me (Manitoba), have used legend or pentosan for maintenance on a couple of senior packers with good results, didn’t do the loading dose, just one dose every 6 weeks or so, both horses have minor arthritis from general wear and tear. Horses with more dramatic joint issues I do HAA joint injections. Also not a fan of oral supplements - too hit and miss in quality and who knows if they actually eat it some days.

[Corky]

My vet says she has seen better results with Polyglycan than with Pentosan and poly is about $400 loading and $70 a month after. Vet says once a month maintenance. I’m waiting to see if she has any other options for me to consider.

[BayBondGirl]

I was able to purchase Adequan in 2018 through a pharmacy in the USA but couldn’t get it last year… Too many roadblocks between getting the Rx to the pharmacy, my vet not willing to speak to them due to licensing issues, etc. I gave up this winter after reaching out to almost every online pharmacy I could find in the US.

I did hock injections last year with good results, going to try them again this spring prior to our first event just to “top her up”. I’d love to find a substitute for Adequan but based on my research, I’m not really interested in Legend and I’d have to see what other options my vet offers, if any.

[SolarFlare]

@BayBondGirl

I was able to purchase Adequan in 2018 through a pharmacy in the USA but couldn’t get it last year… Too many roadblocks between getting the Rx to the pharmacy, my vet not willing to speak to them due to licensing issues, etc. I gave up this winter after reaching out to almost every online pharmacy I could find in the US.

I did hock injections last year with good results, going to try them again this spring prior to our first event just to “top her up”. I’d love to find a substitute for Adequan but based on my research, I’m not really interested in Legend and I’d have to see what other options my vet offers, if any.

I’m using Ichon - you still need a prescription, and to get from the US. I order from Allivet, ship to a drop box on the US side, and pick up (I’m about an hour from the border). Ichon is also PS-GAG, like Adequan. It is off-label use, but my vet is fully aware, is willing to prescribe, and has seen the positive affect it’s had on my horse.

I started using Ichon when we couldn’t get Adequan at all due to the factory shutdown, and it’s still tough to get up here. The Ichon is also way less expensive - $25.49US/vial if you buy 5+: https://www.allivet.com/p-2652-ichon-5ml-vial.aspx

ETA - my horse also gets his hocks done. After starting the Ichon, we’re able to stretch it to once a year instead of every 6 months. I did the loading dose (7 vials, 1 every 4 days) then continue with a monthly shot. This is what works for us.

[AskMyAccountant.17]

For the person mentioning Adequan as $800 for loading dose, even from USD to Canadian dollar, that is way higher. I have purchased all in the last three months. I’ll list these in USD.

Adequan was $280USD for loading dose. I only do “loading dose” every 6-months which is the prescribed dosage by the manufactures. Originally Adequan was $310 off 1800PetMeds.Com but they offer promotional coupons. There are 7-viles. I think it averages to $50/month if you consider pricing among other options. But she will get the IM shots ever 4 days through the 6 or 7 viles included in the box.

Legend was priced to me at approximately $98 USD. I only give this before big competitions. You should feel the effects withing 24 to 36-hours. SO I may give this IV shot the day before a big show.

Then, HA injections, which I have done every 6 months run about 250/injection which includes the injection, materials, the vet call, etc. I have two sites done every 6-months.

Pentosan is the least expensive option. I am not purchasing right now, as I feel I have noticed the most significant difference with doing both Adequan and injections. But I believe it was $120/bottle. I’ve seen some programs give every 2 weeks, some once a month. But, it’s definitely averages maybe $20/shot and given IM.

[Moogles]

I think $75 cad for compounded pentosan in Alberta. I think I noticed a difference. I’d occasionally run out (forget to reorder, I’d buy 3-4 vials at a time) and horse was usually a little different with work.

[Chestnut_Mare1]

Mine is on Legend. $116 per injection done every 4 weeks. Started with one injection for 3 weeks in a row. Vet does not charge a farm call for monthly injections. I’m in BC

[fanfayre]

Horse is on holiday at the moment so nothing injected and is barefoot. When she was working she was on monthly Legend at >$100/month, no farm call as I would take her to the vet. Will see if Adequan is possible when she goes back to work, but if not, then she’ll go back onto Legend unless something else better comes along. My horse isn’t really a candidate for hock injections (veeeeery needle phobic and my vet isn’t willing to chance it, and neither am I).

I also feed Equithrive, with WONDEROUS results! My BO (who is the MOST wonderful BO ever) has fed her horse Recovery EQ ExS for years, and recently had to start buting night before and morning of lesson/hard ride (more than a hack). Since switching to Equithrive 2 months ago, she hasn’t had to bute at all, and our instructor is amazed at how sound this horse is (she’s 20 btw) since the switch. We get it auto-shipped and alternate payments (1 month I pay, the next month she does, etc).