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Every dog owner loves their pets and wants to make them happy. However, it is impossible to prevent aging. According to psychiatry.org, dog owners and many pet owners are more worried about their pets aging or passing away. As dogs age, they begin to develop several health problems, and one common canine health issue as dogs age is joint problems. Alongside impaired mobility, joint-related issues usually go along with pain.
Fortunately, Cosequin, a recommended dog nutritional supplement, is available for their joint health. It provides pain management and joint mobility enhancement. It is a widely used treatment for arthritis in dogs and other animals and is safe. However, sometimes dogs can eat too much of it. What happens when dogs overdose on Cosequin?
In this blog, we will explore cosequin overdose in dogs, its causes, symptoms, and treatment.
What Is Cosequin?
Cosequin is a nutritional dog supplement that helps prevent and treat joint problems. Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine are two of Cosequin’s most essential active ingredients. Glucosamine is a compound that occurs naturally in dogs. It boosts cartilage growth in damaged pints and supports healthy joints. It is essential to note that you can find glucosamine in healthy cartilage. The glucosamine in Cosequin works in damaged joints. The other ingredient, chondroitin, nourishes cartilage and aids elasticity, ensuring sufficient shock absorption.
In a 2007 published clinical trial, dogs treated with chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine showed positive effects alongside huge pain relief. Cosequin works by preventing and supporting joint problems like arthritis. Glucosamine is an essential part of cartilage, and its main role in damage joint treatment is to offer the required nutrients that promote healthy joint function and regeneration. Conversely, chondroitin works with glucosamine and prevents the breakdown of cartilage.
Can Dogs Overdose on Cosequin
Many pet owners often ask the question, can a dog overdose on Cosequin? A simple answer to this is that dogs can overdose on Cosequin. A study published in 2015 showed a female Bernese mountain dog ingesting about 200 tablets of nutritional joint supplements. When a dog takes too much cosequin, it might result in several side effects and even death. However, death from overdosing on Cosequin is quite rare in dogs. Usually, most dogs would start showing symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting and make a full recovery. If your dog ate a bottle of Cosequin, you could monitor its condition by monitoring for symptoms such as vomiting and nausea, muscle, bone, and cartilage pain, frequent urination, jaundice, coma, internal hemorrhage and damage, and increased thirst.
When you notice any of the above symptoms, it is essential you speak with a vet immediately, as it could be an emergency. Additionally, take the Cosequin packaging with you to ensure the vet can check the label for more information. Additionally, it would be helpful if you knew the amount of pill your dog ate.
Treating Cosequin Overdose in Dogs
A 2023 study showed the treatment of joint supplement toxicity in dogs. Treating cosequin overdose in dogs involves taking the affected dog to a vet. There, the vet will perform a physical examination, tests, and lab work. If your dog overdosed quite recently, the vet might induce vomiting and use activated charcoal to remove the toxins from the dog’s digestive system. Additionally, the dog might require an IV for fluid replacement and medications to treat symptoms that appear.
Your dog might need to remain at the hospital for more than a day based on the severity of the symptoms. The vet may need to monitor the dog’s symptoms to ensure he is stabilized before release. However, in many cases, after a dog gets fast medical treatment, they make a full recovery.
What Amount of Cosequin Should I Give My Dog?
When searching for the right dosage for your dog, it is vital to begin with the recommended Cosequin amount for the initial period. As the cosequin works, you will gradually begin to notice the changes in the dog’s activity level. In about 4 to 6 weeks of Cosequin administration, you can lessen the dosage, which helps to ensure healthy joints for your dog in the long term. Some dosage guidelines you can consider include the following:
- Dogs 15 lbs and below can take one half (½ ) tablet daily for the first 4 to 6 weeks. After this time, reduce the dose to ½ tablets once every two days.
- Dogs 16 to 30 lbs can take one tablet each day for the first 4 to 6 weeks. After this time, the dose can be reduced to ½ tablets each day.
- Dogs 31 to 60 lbs can take e tablets daily for the first 4 to 6 weeks. After this time, the dose can be reduced to a single tablet daily.
- Dogs over 60 lbs can take three tablets daily for the first four to six weeks. After this time, the dosage should be reduced to one to two tablets daily.
Conclusion
Cosequin is a supplement that promotes joint health in dogs and other animals. Joint supplements are also used for several medical conditions like bone fractures, joint disease, and arthritis, and vets recommend them for pets as they age. Though joint supplements help reduce pain, maintain mobility, and reduce disease progressions, dogs can overdose on them when not properly watched or given too much. If you intend to learn about the best supplements to use for your dogs, consider visiting VetGen Pharmaceuticals to get answers to your questions.
FAQs
1. Are there side effects of Cosequin for dogs?
Though cosequin is safe for dogs, there can be mild side effects that are usually associated with the gastrointestinal tract, such as vomiting, upset stomach, and diarrhea. Side effects usually vary based on the dog. However, it isn’t a certainty that your dog will experience side effects. There is a possibility your dog will not experience any side effects when given a cosequin. But, if your dog has had allergic reactions to chondroitin and glucosamine products in the past, then it might be best not to administer Cosequin.
2. Is Cosequin and glucosamine the same?
Cosequin is the brand name of a joint health supplement, and glucosamine is one of the key ingredients found in Cosequin.
3. Is it okay to give Cosequin to my dog in the long term?
The chondroitin and glucosamine in Cosequin help reduce inflammation and prevent joint cartilage destruction. Cosequin is safe for dogs long term, and vets recommend it as early treatment for older pets, especially dogs recently diagnosed with arthritis.
