Pet Forum / Miscellaneous / Animal Health / September 2008

Hi Doberman,

I have used Glucosamine and Chondroitin in liquid form (because it's
more easily absorbed by the body) on my 15 yr old, arthritic orange
tabby.   He would be ok jumping up on things but would not want to
jump down and he would wait for me to come and lift him down from
wherever he got to.  The Glucosamine and Chondroitin took a couple of
months to really kick in but once it did it helped Woody a great
deal.  By mid winter he was jumping back down by himself again.  Now
that I know better I'm going to start it right about now so that when
winter does get here he'll already be protected.  I didn't see the
need to give it to him in the summer considering he gets around (and I
do mean gets around!) just fine then.

I think I originally read about this treatment in Martin Zuckers
"Veternarians Guide to Herbal Remedies for Cats" a really good
reference book I found on Amazon.com but I'm not positive (I've quite
a few reference books for cats!).   You might read the article here:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&articleid=670 .  It
contains some very useful information about Glucosamine and
Chondroitin and it's use with pets.

Oh just an FYI you don't have to buy the special and expensive "pet"
Glucosamine and Chondroitin.  Human grade works just as well.  Simply
adjust the dosage for the weight of your cat.  Doses for human vitamin
and mineral supplements are based on a 150 lb man.  If you buy
powdered or capsules just pull the capsules apart and mix with food.
I have 3 cats so that didn't work well with me.  I just use the eye
dropper method and quick as a wink its done and over before Woody can
even think of being upset that I sticking an eyedropper in his mouth!

If you like I can look into my library of reference books (all
holistic and homeopathic based) and see if there are other things that
may help as well.  I've gotten quite a few new books and I haven't
read them all yet.

DWMeowMix and Furkids, Woody, Waco and Yota