Adequan is an intramuscular, injectable treatment for arthritis. It contains polysulfated glycosaminoglycan. Arthritis is a painful condition of the joints, usually seen in older cats. You may notice your cat not jumping as she used to, not being able to twist her back to groom effectively or just a general slow down in her actions and movements. All of these can be symptoms of the onset of arthritis.
The cartilage within a joint starts to thin due to wear and tear, and the bones start to rub against each other. This leads to inflammation, swelling and pain. Arthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease, and can occur over a long period, starting in a subtle way. Once arthritis sets in, it can trigger more cartilage damage and the formation of painful bone spurs.
Common Symptoms of Arthritis
- Overall lack of agility
- Stiffness, especially on getting up
- Reduced activity
- Neglected grooming, especially for hard to reach areas
- Creaking sound of joints
- Swelling on joints
- Lameness
Diagnosis
- Physical examination
- X Rays of the affected joints
- Joint fluid analysis
Treatment with Adequan
- Adequan is injected intramuscularly, so it reaches damaged joints directly.
- It significantly slows down cartilage damage and stimulates its repair.
- It increases the lubrication of the joints and boosts mobility.
- Its anti-inflammatory properties make it ideal to combat degenerative joint disease.
- It's usually given twice a week for a month, initially. Then it's administered as required.
- Adequan has shown the best results when employed in the initial stages of arthritis, but it's proven useful even in later stages.
- Adequan works very well with other pain medications. As it heals the cartilage, other pain remedies may be used simultaneously, giving significant relief to your pet.
Though adequan is used primarily for arthritis, it can be effective in the treatment of hip dysplasia as well. A painful and potentially crippling condition of the hip joint, hip dysplasia is the atypical development of the hip socket.
Side Effects
- Avoid the use of adequan if an infection is detected in the joints.
- If your cat has any history of blood clotting and coagulation issues, inform your vet. Adequan will not be prescribed, as it's known to hinder the clotting process.
- Since it interferes with blood clotting, it should be discontinued before an imminent surgical procedure.
- Do not use adequan if your cat has an allergy to polysulfated glycosaminoglycans.
- Adequan is only available through a prescription from a veterinarian. Depending on your cat's response to the medication and the presence or absence of any side effects, treatment using adequan can be continued. Make sure you complete the prescription even if your cat feels better mid-way. Along with home care remedies such as gradual weight loss and moderate low impact exercise, a drug like adequan can make your pet comfortable, pain free and content.