Posted on 10/03/2009 6:51:15 AM PDT by Red in Blue PA
Synovi was recently taken off the shelves and made unavailable. When the company was called, they were evasive and just said there were some issues and the such, but made no mention of the plant closure until I did an internet search.
Please get the word out to any dog owners who may be using Synovi glucosamine.
FDA closes Teva Animal Health plant
Thanks for posting this!!
BTTT !!
“Pets/Animals” is the ideal topic area for this, not “Miscellaneous.”
Didn’t see that one.
I give my 14 year old “Spring Valley” Glucosamine Sulfate from Walmart ,, works wonders ,, 200 capsules (2mg) are about $13 ... My neighbors 13 year old Lab (big boy ,, about 110#) couldn’t stand 2 days in a row ,, got up and walked fine after 1 day taking this..
3rd line beneath Misc.
You could have excerpted relevant info:
“The FDA’s consent decree says Teva failed to reject drugs that didn’t meet established FDA specifications, did not conduct adequate equipment maintenance, failed to train employees adequately and failed to establish a quality-control unit, among other violations.”
So it’s not like the whole chinese melamine thing, the equipment my just be dirty and you may not be getting all the ingredients you thought you were.
I’m glad to see the FDA actually being useful...for once.
I give my Yellow Lab exactly the same. Click on my name to see my dogs...that picture is ten years old BTW .
Dogs can't read. Post a warning to their owners.
Do you give this in a per pound/ml dose or just as 1 or 2 pills a day? My old boy is starting to really falter. He only has one rear leg and it's hard for him to get up lately.
Get your old boy Synflex immediately! I almost put my cat down because she could barely walk anymore (hip dysplasia and terrible "cat spine'). Go onto their website and pay for the overnight charge, it is so worth it.
Also, read the 'miracle' stories. I believed every one of them (I had no choice, it was my last option).
My cat is now one of those miracles =). I saw a change after 3 DAYS!!! She turned 18 this summer and is now pain free, jumping and stretching once again.
Glucosamine/Chondroitin (sp?) did wonders for my old dog. our Vet recommends 1000mg twice per day.
In addition to glucosamine chondroitin sulfate, there are some good herbal anti-inflammatories that might help, as well as veterinary NSAIDs. I nursed my chocolate lab through cancer and arthritis to the grand old age of 14 1/2, happy as a clam, mostly pain free and with good mobility right to his last. I still miss him so.
But, on the herbal front, two that I found helpful were “Liquid Health Equine/Canine Level 5000” which had glucosamine, Manganese, Vit. C, Perna Mussel, MSM, Shark Cartilage, Bromelain, Cat’s Claw, Parsely and Grape Seed Extract. Very beneficial, but the taste is disgusting (tried it myself to see why he flinched so when I gave it to him). Just shooting it in with a mouth syringe to get it over with, followed by a favorite treat and lots of love and affection makes the whole experience less of an uproar.
The other herbal would be “Dog PainAway” with bromelain and many others. Small pills, sort of sweet-spicey smelling, not such an experience getting a dog to take them. Cheaper than the Level 5000, but also not as long-lasting.
And, as far as veterinary NSAIDs, Metacam can be a godsend. When my lab, my buddy, first went down, I tried everything. I carried him outside to do his business because he couldn’t even get up unassisted, let alone negotiate the three stairs off the back deck. He got up on his own with minutes of his first dose of Metacam.
Do take the warnings on the label absolutely seriously, though. A small minority of dogs react badly to Metacam. If you see any evidence whatsoever of blood in the urine or stool, stop treatment immediately and get to a vet. Don’t combine any other NSAID or aspirin with it, either.
Hope this helps.
Us too!
Our 12 year old Boxer, Taz, has been on it for 4 years.
Wow! My Daisy (may she rest in peace) used to get two Synovis a day for her arthritis. My current dog gets ‘Hip Action!’ glucosamine peanut butter treats by Zukes. All natural too. His flyball instructor recommended any dog that is highly active or in competitive sports like flyball, agility or frisbee (mine does all 3), should be started on glucosamine when they hit age 1.
Try the ‘Hip Action’ treats by Zukes. You can get them at most pet supply stores. Also, try shark cartilage as well. Don’t expect to see result right away though. Any supplements for joints, etc. can take a month or greater to show any improvement.
Is it in a food mix?
I get through half the alphabet pretty well....so pox on you.
If your dogs are eating food containing grain, corn, gluten, they are ripe for bone and joint issues.
Kibble, especially from the grocery store, is probably the worst stuff you can give your pets. The first ingredient is often corn meal.
There are some choices out there. Raw, non grain kibble, canned food with no additives.
I feed my cat BG (Before Grain) and she is doing great. I give her canned food where the first ingredient is the title of the food. For instance a salmon can contains salmon as its first ingredient.
My cat had noticable improvement (she could walk without stopping and crying, well, growling, in pain) in 3 days! I still cry about it.
My dog gets natural dog food, and has since he was a pup. He is always complimented on his shiny and soft black coat. No more grains, etc. My 15 year old kitty is another matter. She gets whatever she wants. :) She has triad disease and gets her ‘spells’ now every six weeks. At this point, she has earned to eat whatever trips her fancy, including cooked chicken breast, hamburger, tuna, canned food, ice cream and pudding. She’s even been known to eat the occasional black bean or two.
ping
Thanks for all the wonderful advise. We are going to build a ramp to the deck to help him. One of these treatments will surely help too.
The adult human dose is 2 capsules daily ,, my dog is about 60# so 1 pill is good for him.. you’ll either have to pull the capsules open and mix the powder in some food or just push the pills down the dogs throat..
Woof!
Thank you very much for the info!!!
Apparently you don’t own a golden retriever. Pauli says you’re wrong. Of course, she can’t type because she has no fingers.
Mine eat Evo. I used to feed raw but it’s more trouble now that I’m only feeding one dog.
It takes ALOT for the FDA to close a plant.
Don’t kid yourself.
WARNING #2:
Glucosamine is worse than sugar, in causing kidney damage!!!
SEE: http://www.nature.com/ki/journal/v58/n77s/full/4491970a.html
If your dog has kidney issues, or diabetes, check with a vet before using glucosamine.
DG
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