Did I make a mistake by allowing Adequan?

sugarwookie · Jan 23, 2017

It's almost 1am and I'm a total wreck, but I don't know if it's me just being a worried owner. I have a 13 year old with severe arthritis. The limp seemed to have gotten worse the last month, so I took her in today. I'd already read wonderful things about Adequan, and the Doctor suggested it. They gave her a shot IM, and also went through blood work, X-rays, the whole 9 yards, which I'm sure was exhaustive for her. Blood work was all good.

When she came home she ate and acted somewhat fine, other than being mad at me. I left to get her new food for weight management and came home to find her under the bed, which is a rare thing. She came out after seeing me, ate more and stayed on the bed with me. I fell asleep at 10pm and woke up with her not beside me. She was under the bed again. I freaked out, started reading threads I hadn't found before about animals dying from Adequan.

Needless to say I came into the computer room, bawling like a baby and she came in to see what I was doing, which made me feel better, but then went back to the bed. I've never had this happen. She doesn't seem in any discomfort, she used her box, no runs. Am I just over reacting? My cat is my whole world, and if I cause her death I would never be the same :0(

white shadow · Jan 24, 2017

Hi sugarwookie !

I'm not aware of ever having heard of any adverse reactions to Adequan, much less of "animals dying from Adequan"....nor, have I seen any such threads on this site.

IF they're here, could you post the links?

I could see some short-term pain at an injection site.....i.e. when it's given IM - which isn't necessary, btw, as subcutaneously works just fine - but, other than that, nada.

Here's a thread where someone I know well, Sugarcatmom, posts both her own experience and provides a 'quality' veterinary reference page link on treating DJD: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/244819/question-about-adequan-dosage

di and bob · Jan 24, 2017

There are MANY adverse reactions to almost every drug and supplement on earth. Most are very rare but have to be brought up. You could die from the Novocaine at a dentist's office too, but you still go. You are right to be concerned, but you should have called your vet and voiced your concerns they could have at least told you what to watch for. I would say if your little one is fine after 24 hours everything will turn out OK. If she is eating and drinking that is a very good sign. She is most likely just traumatized from her vet visit, the shot may have hurt and she is still mad at you. She'll come around, just give her extra cuddles and treats! PS you know how some shots can make you sore, before they help, like a cortisone shot? She may be experiencing a little soreness that will greatly improve in a couple of days, then she'll feel good. I'll say a little prayer for her, and for you!

missmimz · Jan 24, 2017

I just started Adequan for my senior cat. My vet told me there aren't many reactions to it and the most commons are some GI symptoms. I think perhaps you are just overly worrying and that at this point there isn't anything to suggest it's the adequan or that anything serious is wrong.

sugarwookie · Jan 25, 2017

Thank you for the replies. Sadie is better, but it's weird because she's taking to being under the bed now, which she has never done. She's still eating, using the box and stays with me most of the day, but this evening she crawled under there and remained until we returned from dinner. You're all right that I'm an over analyzer, but truth be told she really is the best thing to ever happen to me in my 47 years, and when she's gone I don't know how I'll stay sane.

A link was requested to the negative side of Adequan, so here is what I've found, and some of the comments are very scary.

https://www.vetinfo.com/adequan-side-effects.html

katjoeus · Jan 15, 2018

sugarwookie said:
Thank you for the replies. Sadie is better, but it's weird because she's taking to being under the bed now, which she has never done. She's still eating, using the box and stays with me most of the day, but this evening she crawled under there and remained until we returned from dinner. You're all right that I'm an over analyzer, but truth be told she really is the best thing to ever happen to me in my 47 years, and when she's gone I don't know how I'll stay sane.

A link was requested to the negative side of Adequan, so here is what I've found, and some of the comments are very scary.

Adequan Canine Side Effects

Just came across this post and realize it is older - just curious what happened with your cat? Did you continue the Adequan, did she have similar reactions? I am a huge fan of Adequan and think reactions/side effects are extremely rare, but anything can have side effects, i suppose...

sugarwookie · Jan 15, 2018

I stopped after she cried when I injected her. If things get worse I may try again, but a Vet that saw her for a tooth extraction said that it wouldn't help her after checking her x-rays. I'm not sure why, but she has bone on bone in her shoulder, so maybe that's a reason.

Thanks for asking

Ashley 55 · Dec 8, 2018

sugarwookie said:
I stopped after she cried when I injected her. If things get worse I may try again, but a Vet that saw her for a tooth extraction said that it wouldn't help her after checking her x-rays. I'm not sure why, but she has bone on bone in her shoulder, so maybe that's a reason.

Thanks for asking

Ashley 55 · Dec 8, 2018

Hi Sugar Cookie. How is Sadie? I hope alright.
I just signed up to the forum.
My Callie is 19 yrs old. She had signs of very severe arthritis and of 2017 last year.
We started using gabapentin for pain and a round of Adequan over a 5 month period, frequent dosage then once a month. Didn't seem to be helping much. My doctor prescribed Galiprant which was just approved last year and has won awards as a top arthritis drug for canines. We decided let's try it. My cat has been doing very well on this new drug. In fact without it she would not be around. Her back legs would give in and she couldn't walk and couldn't get to her food and water all day. She is now able to walk sprint from the litter box time to time and enjoying our life together.
I also bought a ceramic water fountain for her to drink standing so it's easier for her. She loves it. I also elevate her food. I give her delectable with hit water not tap and make it into a brothier stew.
She gets twice a day along with dry.
She has been doing amazing for her age. We both had our bloodwork panels checked last week and all of her blood work is normal. She had one kidney test where hee number is just below the concern signs 1-13 being normal and 14 being the start of a decline but she has been on galiprant now for a year and I rarely give adaquen any longer.
Elevating the food and the water fountain is a huge advantage in going her stay hydrated.
Also she has platforms of different levels to graduate up to the bed where she sleeps most of the day while I'm at work. I also have the laptop going 24/7 relaxing jazz station called big jazz 24/7. It's like elevator music but is tranquil. She really gets the music and goes to the laptop every morning. She knows and a part of her routine.

I would recommend looking into Galiprant. I believe I read it was developed in Japan.

Ashley 55 · Dec 8, 2018

The piano elevator music you tube station that will play 24/7 without ads is called BMG piano jazz.
My reply above typed it wrong.

Have a good day!

Ashley 55 · Dec 8, 2018

Ashley 55 said:
The piano elevator music you tube station that will play 24/7 without ads is called BMG piano jazz.
My reply above typed it wrong.

Have a good day!

verna davies · Dec 8, 2018

If you are unsure about Adequan have a look at Yumove. Several of my friends use it on their cats and dogs with good results.

FeebysOwner · Dec 8, 2018

Don't know what happened to

sugarwookie , but I'll post this anyway, since others are still reading this thread.

I am using Glyco Flex Plus for Feeby - primarily glucosamine, chondroitin, and green lipped mussels (yeah, that's a real thing - also used for human arthritis). She is back to jumping up on furniture that she had stopped before taking the Glyco.

Feeby has arthritis in one elbow, but her big deal is two nearly fused vertebrae in her upper back. The vet wasn't sure whether Glyco would help since the vertebrae do not have the same type of bone/muscle infrastructure as do joints. So, whether her elbow was making her limp, or the vertebrae, I don't know. But, with Glyco the limp is nearly non-existent.

I would prefer something like Glyco (oral pill that can be cut into smaller parts) over shots of any kind.

Ashley 55 · Dec 8, 2018

verna davies said:
If you are unsure about Adequan have a look at Yumove. Several of my friends use it on their cats and dogs with good results.

Ashley 55 · Dec 8, 2018

Thank you! I'm always interested in hearing new treatments.

Ashley 55 · Dec 8, 2018

FeebysOwner said:
Don't know what happened to sugarwookie , but I'll post this anyway, since others are still reading this thread.

I am using Glyco Flex Plus for Feeby - primarily glucosamine, chondroitin, and green lipped mussels (yeah, that's a real thing - also used for human arthritis). She is back to jumping up on furniture that she had stopped before taking the Glyco.

Feeby has arthritis in one elbow, but her big deal is two nearly fused vertebrae in her upper back. The vet wasn't sure whether Glyco would help since the vertebrae do not have the same type of bone/muscle infrastructure as do joints. So, whether her elbow was making her limp, or the vertebrae, I don't know. But, with Glyco the limp is nearly non-existent.

I would prefer something like Glyco (oral pill that can be cut into smaller parts) over shots of any kind.

Ashley 55 · Dec 8, 2018

Thank you Feebysowner.
Great to know all this good info especially if it's for humans too. I also have joint issues arthritis and will read up on it.

!

white shadow · Dec 8, 2018

.
Hi A Ashley 55 and welcome to the forum !

I follow the use of NSAIDs in cats in great detail, and since it's launch (approval) for dogs in 2017, I've been watching for any mention of Galliprant's use in cats - and, yours is the first I've seen here.

Would you be able to post some additional info...?

your general location
exact dosing info (strength, dosage, frequency)
your Veterinarian: Veterinary clinic or Univ teaching hospital ?
any cautions/concerns discussed with you
any 'extra' lab work (blood/urine) related to Galliprant?

It's great to hear how this drug has helped Callie regain her mobility and enjoy life again.

You know, we'd never refuse any offerings of pictures here

.....and, there's a special thread for pictures of s̶e̶n̶i̶o̶r̶ ̶k̶i̶t̶t̶i̶e̶s̶ those special felines with lots of life experience right here: Let's see some senior kitties!

[info on Galliprant available here: Grapiprant (Galliprant) - Veterinary Partner - VIN]
.

Kflowers · Dec 8, 2018

My Sweet Gum takes dasuquin. She has arthritis on her spine, which she was either born with or developed before she was one. Once she started the dasuquin, she straightened her back and did the U stretch for the first time. We hadn't realized she wasn't stretching out completely. It also improved her temper a lot.

dasuquin is similar to cosuquin and is over the counter.

Did I make a mistake by allowing Adequan?

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