Randomised double-blind, positive-controlled trial to assess the efficacy of glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate for the treatment of dogs with osteoarthritis

Vet J. 2007 Jul;174(1):54-61. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2006.02.015. Epub 2006 May 2.

Abstract

Thirty-five dogs were included in a randomised, double-blind, positive controlled, multi-centre trial to assess the efficacy of an orally-administered glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate (Glu/CS) combination for the treatment of confirmed osteoarthritis of hips or elbows. Carprofen was used as a positive control. Dogs were re-examined on days 14, 42 and 70 after initiation of treatment. Medication was then withdrawn and dogs were re-assessed on day 98. Response to treatment was based on subjective evaluation by participating veterinarians who recorded their findings at each visit. Dogs treated with Glu/CS showed statistically significant improvements in scores for pain, weight-bearing and severity of the condition by day 70 (P<0.001). Onset of significant response was slower for Glu/CS than for carprofen-treated dogs. The results show that Glu/CS has a positive clinical effect in dogs with osteoarthritis.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Carbazoles / therapeutic use
  • Chondroitin Sulfates / therapeutic use*
  • Dog Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Dog Diseases / pathology
  • Dogs
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Glucosamine / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Osteoarthritis / drug therapy*
  • Osteoarthritis / pathology
  • Osteoarthritis / veterinary*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Statistics, Nonparametric

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Carbazoles
  • Chondroitin Sulfates
  • carprofen
  • Glucosamine