Question about Adequan dosage

I feel like I'm about to sound like the worst mother ever. My kitty has so many medications and issues that it's hard for me to keep track of everything!

My 18 year old kitty was prescribed with Adequan several months ago. We went through the initial start-up phase with (I think) a dose of 0.4 mL every week for one month. Then we were supposed to go to 0.4 mL once a month for maintenance.

This makes perfect sense to me - to give it to him monthly for maintenance. I just read online, however, that you should do something like 4 shots over 8 weeks and then stop. The site also mentioned the danger of liver and kidney failure, and my boy went through kidney failure a few years ago before his arthritis was even diagnosed.

I know it's a very safe product and very effective for arthritis but does his dosage sound weird? Should I be laying off now? I just want to hear the advice/experiences of others. I trust my vet very much but have also had bad experiences with other vets (such as the awful Metacam that caused his kidney failure). I'm just curious what others think. Thanks!

How much does your kitty weigh?

My 19 yr old is getting 0.3ml approximately once per month (after 6 weeks of weekly dosing). He weighs about 15-16 pounds. He's been taking Adequan for 2 years now, and it has not made his renal issues any worse. My understanding is that the impact on liver or kidneys occurs when overdosing, not at normal dosages. LDG posted this article a little while ago that I thought was interesting: http://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvetted/2010/march/adequan_cats_dogs#.T8jPP1JK_MA
 

I've been trying to get the shelter vet to give Adequan to a foster who appears to have early onset arthritis in his left foot. Challenge is only four years old and I don't want to give him steroids for the rest of his life if there is something more specific for his problem.  The vet had me try pred. 2.5mg. twice a week, which helped a little, and now we've moved to every other day.  She said she couldn't find anything online about giving Adequan to cats, so I just sent her a copy of the last posting on this subject - hope you don't mind, Sugarcatmom?
 

Sugarcatmom, that's the article I read! Here's the paragraph that made me a little concerned:

"For dogs and cats alike, my basic approach has been the same as of a few months ago: eight shots over four weeks (I used to use a longer course with less frequent dosing). I use it less often at a slightly lower dose for those whose kidneys and liver are in some way compromised, and I always lower (or eliminate) the NSAID or steroid dose for those who are also taking these or any other drugs that have the possibility of inhibiting platelet function or "thinning the blood.""

My cat is around 18-19 pounds.

Simka said:

She said she couldn't find anything online about giving Adequan to cats, so I just sent her a copy of the last posting on this subject - hope you don't mind, Sugarcatmom?
 

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Not at all! I hope she considers using Adequan, which I think is a much better option than long-term steroids. It has absolutely made a difference in my guy. Something else Challenge could take is Cosequin (glucosamine and chondroitin) as well as MSM supplementation, and these can be used in conjunction with the Adequan. One thing to note is that Adequan can be given subcutaneously - doesn't have to be intramuscular.

Originally Posted by xthoroughbred  
 

eight shots over four weeks 

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I think this is a bit misleading. The Adequan isn't completely stopped after this, it's just the loading dose regime. After that, Adequan is typically administered as needed - which may be about once a month. Sometimes my guy can go 6 weeks without needing his shot, but by that time I'll notice him limping so I try to give it to him before that point. It does amaze me though that if he is limping and I give him the shot, the limp is gone by the next day. More info: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=587

Adequan Injections

This treatment does not fit readily into the classification system proposed above.  Adequan is an injectable cartilage component called polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (mostly chondroitin sulfate), but instead of coming from sea mollusks, Adequan is derived from the windpipe cartilage of cattle.  Adequan has numerous beneficial effects for the arthritis patient including the inhibition of harmful enzymes involving joint cartilage destruction, stimulation of cartilage repair, and increasing joint lubrication. These effects go far beyond simply providing plenty of chondroitin sulfate as a building block for damaged cartilage.

• Adequan is given as an injection and so is able to reach all joints but it seems to have a special affinity for damaged joints.
• Adequan should be avoided in patients with blood clotting abnormalities as a matter of caution. (At excessive doses tested in normal patients, abnormal clotting resulted so it is best not to take a chance in an abnormal patient.) 
• Adequan is best given as a series of injections, twice a week or so until a response is seen but not exceeding eight injections. After an effect is seen, Adequan injections are given on an as needed basis.
• Adequan is formally approved for use in dogs and horses but may also be used in cats with good results.
• Adequan may be combined with any of the other medications listed on this page.

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Sugarcatmom said:

Not at all! I hope she considers using Adequan, which I think is a much better option than long-term steroids. It has absolutely made a difference in my guy. Something else Challenge could take is Cosequin (glucosamine and chondroitin) as well as MSM supplementation, and these can be used in conjunction with the Adequan. One thing to note is that Adequan can be given subcutaneously - doesn't have to be intramuscular.

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Thank you! Cosequin worked for a few months and then stopped having any effect, although the vet has told me to continue using it. She told me the injections could be given subq which was another reason for me to be very keen since I can give them myself (shelter is 50 mile round trip and Challenge goes into IBD crisis even after a trip to my vet only 5 minutes away.)  He's a challenge!

I have been giving one of my kitties Adequan for just about a month now. He has arthritis in his hind legs and has had a difficult time going up and down stairs.  I have been giving him a shot twice a week for four weeks and he has improved dramatically!  He is now climbing stairs and jumping up on counters with no problem.  We now are giving him a shot once a month.  This drug is, as far as I am concerned, a miracle drug!