Glucosamine Diabetes

Glucosamine Side Effects In Dogs
Glucosamine Hydrochloride Side Effects

Glucosamine diabetes, is there any diabetes risks using this natural joint supplement? This is certainly a relevant and a good question. Many dog owners might be worried.

I received this question from one concerned owner.

The following is my answer to this. Well, and a bit more information.

Glucosamine, weather it is from dog food glucosamine or given as a liquid or chewable glucosamine supplement, is based on amino sugars in long chains. Amino sugar is glucose containing a amino group instead of an hydroxyl group.

Almost sugar, not strange to be suspicious about glucosamine diabetes.

Clinical Facts From Humans

In vivo test of rats showed signs of glucosamine induced muscle insulin resistance but the doses of glucosamine was 5000mg/kg rat (2272mg/lbs). This is a lot of glucosamine and far more than used in dogs or humans.

In humans this has been thoroughly investigated both in long and short term clinical trials. One investigation went on for three years. 3000 patients having joint problems received glucosamine. No alterations in there blood glucose levels where seen in any way and no signs of glucosamine diabetes.

In Sweden there is several registered glucosamine products registered and under control and regulation under the Swedish Food and Drug Administration. This means that suspected glucosamine side effects should be reported.

During a five year period two diabetes complications has been reported. Their diabetes got worse. But, it is so few cases the authorities is very cautions to make any conclusions.

I could not find any distinctions made between glucosamine sulfate or glucosamine hydrochloride side effects.

In humans it is a safe treatment. Side effects have been seen but not often.

Glucosamin Side Effects In Dogs

This is more difficult. Its not a product where side effects is collected in any way. If you suspect negative reactions towards any glucosamine and/or chondroitin supplement you can (and should) contact the company making the product. Then it is up to the company to take further actions.

There has been some dramatic experiences using glucosamine in dogs. But, its luckily very very rare.

My Recommendation

From my practical experience the risks using any glucosamine product is still very low. The benefits is much bigger than any risks. On the other hand you should be cautions. Especially if you have known history of diabetes in your "dogs family" or have a dog with Chushings Disease.

Don't avoid glucosamine in these cases. As I said, benefits are far bigger than the risks. Having pain, what is the alternative? NSAID tablets, and they have some possible side effects as well.

Use glucosamine after speaking to your vet and think about the advantages and disadvantages. Make a risk benefit analysis together with your veterinarian.

If you are afraid of glucosamine diabetes developing you should do regularly blood sugar measurements. Again, talk to your regular veterinary surgeon about this as well.

A bit easier could be to buy urine stix measuring the glucose level in the urine. This should be done in the morning on an empty stomach. No glucosamine supplementation or food since the day before.

If you find glucose in the urine it means the blood level is above 10 mmol/l. This is far to much and need veterinary examination.

This is primary a test for the Type-1 diabetes, not type-2. The latter is very seldom in dogs and therefor urine measurements should in practice be sufficient for this purpose.