I am sure most of us have seen jars of Osteo Bi-flex at Grandma’s side table. We also know that they are the supplements used to relieve joint pain. However, if a dog has arthritis, what to do? How do I get to know he has joint stiffness? Can we use Osteo Bi-flex for dogs?
Animals are unable to speak and so it gets difficult to know what’s creating the discomfort. Arthritic symptoms usually show up only when they are severe, and to solve them you need many medics. Supplements are one of the first-line treatments given with pain relievers, NSAIDs, physiotherapy. But the question is, are the same supplements given to both men and dogs?
Above all, the pet versions of Osteo bi flex are very costly. Secondly, the ones for humans contain the same ingredients. Why not use them?
Osteo Bi-Flex Dosage for Dogs
| Weight of Dog | Dosage of Osteo Bi-Flex (per day) | Tablets Required | Duration of Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 lbs | 50mg | 1/2 Tablet | Ongoing |
| 10-25 lbs | 100mg | 1 Tablet | Ongoing |
| 25-50 lbs | 200mg | 2 Tablets | Ongoing |
| 50-100 lbs | 400mg | 4 Tablets | Ongoing |
| Over 100 lbs | 600mg | 6 Tablets | Ongoing |
Osteo Bi-Flex Ingredients for Dogs
| Ingredient | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Glucosamine | Aids in cartilage formation and repair |
| Chondroitin | Helps reduce inflammation and promote joint health |
| MSM | Helps reduce joint pain and stiffness |
| Hyaluronic Acid | Helps lubricate joints and reduce inflammation |
| Vitamin C | Supports healthy cartilage and collagen production |
Osteo Bi-Flex Side Effects for Dogs
| Side Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Upset Stomach | Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea |
| Allergic Reactions | Rash, itching, or difficulty breathing |
| Blood Clotting | Excessive bleeding or bruising |
| Kidney Damage | Increased thirst and urination |
| Liver Damage | Jaundice, loss of appetite, or vomiting |
Benefits of Osteo Bi-Flex for Dogs
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Joint Health | Helps reduce inflammation and promote healthy joints |
| Mobility | Helps improve mobility and flexibility |
| Pain Relief | Helps reduce joint pain and stiffness |
| Cartilage Formation | Aids in cartilage formation and repair |
| Collagen Production | Supports healthy collagen production |
Osteo Bi-Flex vs. Other Joint Supplements for Dogs
| Supplement | Description |
|---|---|
| Osteo Bi-Flex | Contains glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C |
| Dasuquin | Contains glucosamine, chondroitin, and ASU (avocado/soybean unsaponifiables) |
| Cosequin | Contains glucosamine and chondroitin |
| Nutramax | Contains glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and ASU |
| Glycoflex | Contains glucosamine, MSM, DMG (dimethylglycine), and Perna canaliculus (green-lipped mussel) |
Calculator To Improve Overall Joint Health
What is Arthritis?
It is basically damage to the cartilage which could be the result of an injury or just due to old age. Cartilages keep the joints moving with the help of fluid and even act as shock absorbers.
Since cartilage gives rise to bones, no wonder abnormal destruction can cause bony projection at joints that are painful and create difficulty in mobility. Osteoarthritis is also known as Degenerative Joint Disease.
Thus, someone who has Arthritis also has stiff joints and constant pain at the site. He even has inflammation and often mobility becomes difficult.
Risk factors for Arthritis
The risk for getting Arthritis multiples in certain conditions. What are they?
Risk factors include giant breeds with a lot of weight such as German Shepherds,
- Obesity
- Age
- stress from activities
- hip or elbow dysplasia
- improper nutrition
- Genetics
Additionally, infectious diseases such as Lyme disease and Systemic Lupus disease may also be the reason.
What are the signs?
Your dog will be limping, and would show difficulty getting up. He will be reluctant to play OR jump and would be gaining weight. Moreover, he will show signs of discomfort when petted. The joints would also swell.
Additionally, hip, knee, and elbow joints are most commonly involved in Arthritic pain.
What is Osteo Bi-flex?
After briefly discussing Arthritis, let us return back to the topic of Osteo Bi-flex. What is this supplement? Can Osteo Bi-flex be used for dogs?
With aging or injury, the body is unable to produce glucosamine and so the joints get stiff and painful to move. The hip and knee joints are most commonly affected by arthritis.
Osteo Bi-flex is a supplement. As the name suggests it is used for strengthening bone and joint health. It has been combined with different ingredients to build up a compound that shields your joints from injury and pain. And wait not just yours, but your dogs too.
Over the years, beneficial compounds for bone and cartilage health have been added in Osteo Bi-flex.
Osteo Bi-flex Joint Shield, contains 5-Loxin. This has shown improvement in many patients of osteoarthritis by controlling inflammation.
Another Osteo Bi-flex is Glucosamine. What does glucosamine do? Well, for the joints to move freely there is fluid around them, glucosamine is for reducing joint friction. Hence it is used for Osteoarthritis. If someone has shellfish allergies, this is to be avoided because Glucosamine is extracted from Shellfish for making this supplement.
Osteo Bi-flex Chondroitin as the name says contains Chondroitin that aids in building and maintaining cartilage around the bone. It helps to retain this fluid.
UC II Collagen means it contains Collagen Type II. Collagen Type II supports joint health and is effective in improving Osteoarthritis Symptoms.
Methylsulfonylmethane combined with Osteo Bi-flex is another compound in the market. This compound is required by the body’s connective tissue and is known to remove inflammation.
Thus, keeping all these benefits in mind Osteo bi flex is recommended in the first-line treatment for Degenerative Joint Disease.
But before you believe in any magic words, remember, Supplements work best when coupled with other treatments.
Contraindications of Osteo Bi-flex
Most people say that supplements are safe to take, but there are still some warnings you should know about before starting the treatment. Which dogs are unsuitable for Osteo Bi-flex use?
- Someone who is on warfarin or any other anticoagulant.
- A dog with allergies, especially Shellfish Allergy.
- It should also be asked if the dog has a lung disease,
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Bleeding disorder
- Cancer
Also, note that the use of Osteo Bi-flex for dogs must be stopped two weeks before surgery or dental procedure. Do you know why? Because it can lead to excessive bleeding.
| Properties | Osteo Bi-flex |
| Type of Drug | Supplement |
| Use | ● Strengthens bone and joint health ● Used for Osteoarthritis ● First-line treatment for degenerative joint disease. |
| Dosage | A dose example is 500mg Glucosamine for a 30lbs dog and 200mg Chondroitin. Most vets recommend two tablets every day for a month if they seem to improve symptoms. And then gradually getting to one tablet a day |
| Side effects | ● Constipation ● Diarrhea ● Nausea ● There may also be hair loss ● puffy eyes ● stomach pain ● Heartburn ● bloating |
| Contraindications | ● Someone who is on warfarin or any other anticoagulant. ● A dog with allergies, especially Shellfish Allergy. ● It should also be asked if the dog has a lung disease ● Diabetes ● Hypertension ● Bleeding disorder ● Cancer ● Also, note that the use of Osteo Bi-flex for dogs must be stopped two weeks before surgery or dental procedure. |
| Allergies | Contraindicated for dogs with shellfish allergy |
Is Osteobiflex suitable for Dogs?
As we have mentioned before Osteo Bi-flex contains all the necessary ingredients that are normally recommended to any dog with joint pain.
If a dog is limping and getting tired easily, we normally give them Glucosamine and Chondroitin which are both present in Osteo Bi-flex. Therefore, it is ok to use Osteo Bi-flex for dogs but risky if you haven’t taken the dog to the vet yet and are only assuming he has joint pain.
In other words, Glucosamine and Chondroitin are the same for dogs and humans. So stick with the basic ingredients.
How much Osteo Bi-flex should be given to a dog?
The dose mostly depends on the weight. It is higher at first and after two weeks eventually lowered to a safe limit. Moreover, it typically takes six weeks to see the effect of something on a pet’s body.
A dose example is 500mg Glucosamine for a 30lbs dog and 200mg Chondroitin.
Most vets recommend two tablets every day for a month if they seem to improve symptoms. And then gradually getting to one tablet a day. However, if there seems to be no noticeable change it’s best to stop.
Another important thing is consistency. To see the results you can’t skip a day in between. And more importantly, do not take a double dose to make up for the loss.
Moreover, the dose and improvement should be made in coordination with the veterinarian. Moreover, some dogs have certain allergies and it’s important to see if that contraindicates with ingredients.
Why is it important to Visit a veterinarian before giving supplements?
Is your dog having difficulty walking? Is it over the age of 10? Do you think he’s getting old?
The veterinarian will be able to help the limping dog by making a clinical diagnosis. He will confirm if the dog has an injury or degenerative disease or some other problem.
And maybe supplement is not the solution to the problem.
For lightweight dogs, it’s very important to consult a doctor.
These capsules are good for minor problems, someone with severe issues needs more than just supplements. These show effect in the long term and are particularly effective against inflammation.
Another important factor to consider is if there are any additives. Additives such as artificial sweeteners, sugar, or Xylitol aren’t beneficial for a dog’s health.
Nevertheless, I’d also like to mention that supplements containing Vit D3 in addition to other ingredients could be toxic. They prove to be anticoagulants and can lead to uncontrollable bleeding from the body. Therefore, such an issue should be taken to the doctor instantly.
Moreover, Vitamin C combined supplements must be avoided in dogs with crystal oxalate.
Some people say glucosamine must not be given to an animal with a blood sugar issue.
Drawbacks of using OsteoBiflex for Dogs
Are there any side effects if Dogs use Osteo Biflex?
Firstly the pills are huge in size, it’s a difficult task to feed them to the doggo.
Moreover, possible side effects include constipation, diarrhea, and nausea. There may also be hair loss or puffy eyes. Adding to the list, stomach pain, heartburn, and bloating are also possible.
Alternatives to Osteo Bi-flex for dogs
A much better option in any case to consider is the dog chew. But the price can be a downside.
GlycoFlex is a supplement specially made for dogs’ joint health. Another dog supplement is Bioflex Active chew, which is popular amongst dogs.
Are you a fan of hacks or against medicine? People say that soaking a towel into warm water and Epsom salt and later putting on the affected joints really helps with arthritic pain. This is to be done twice every day.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, it can be concluded that if you stick to the basic ingredients such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin, Osteo Bi-flex for dogs is okay to be used. However, it’s always recommended to seek a doctor’s advice in human and dog cases before starting any supplements.