Joint meds hard on stomach... ??

[arena run]

Anyone heard of this? sylvia

[pintopiaffe]

MSM is actually recommended as a stomach BUFFER when using bute.

I've no idea about chrondroitin, glucosamine or HA.

[Laurierace]

I have seen some problems with supplements with devils claw in it. I also had a horse who had a problem adjusting to Recovery EQ stomach wise. Not sure what it was about that supplement that bothered him but he did get used to it.

[Simkie]

I've read on this board that HA is hard on the stomach.

[flyracing]

I have wondered this too. My boy has chronic ulcers that sometimes improve when not on a joint sup, but not always. My guess is glucosamine HCL and HA are acidic and hard on the stomach since they both end in "-acid". :yes: But then again I eat cirtic acid everyday and my stomach is still intact!:lol:

[BumbleBee]

willow bark is also an offender.

Really anything that is anti-inflamatory and isn't a steroid is a nonsteroidal anti-inflamatory.:yes: Some how people miss that.

My own mare was fine on bute for over a year switched to bl and she had ulcers in 2 days.

[GatoGordo]

Except for Adequan, which has anti-inflammatory effects in joints (and some think it helps with muscle and tendon problems) but is not related to other NSAID's. Abnormal bleeding is the only (rare) side effect mentioned for Adequan, which do. That's a bit of a nitpick, though. As they say, absolutes are never true. ;)

Other than that, I agree, anti-inflammatories that work by acting on cyclooxygenase all have potentially deleterious effects on the GI tract. While drugs such as firocoxib (Equioxx) are far more selective for COX-2 (and hence less likely to cause ulcers or gastritis) than traditional NSAID's, they are not 100% selective and there is still the potential for GI upset in sensitive individuals.

[flyracing]

I'm guessing the OP is very aware that nsaids can cause GI problems, but does anybody know about the more commonly used (longterm) joint supplements such as glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hcl, chondroitin, hylaronic acid, and msm (which one person has said to be a buffer) and any other that I'm missing.

[arena run]

No... I didn't realize nsaids cause GI problems.

I give Glucosimine 5000 --- which is pretty much just, glucosimine.

I've ordered something called... ummmm, hmmmmmm.... something. :D From smarkpak. at any rate, it's got joint stuff and... well, let me just go see what it is. --- brb

[arena run]

I can't find my order anywhere on the website (was shipped Thursday) but I think it was SmartFlexSenior. sylvia

[deltawave]

Nutraceuticals are not "meds". NSAIDS of course are enormously problematic in causing ulcers.

[Trees4U]

Is this true about MSM being a stomache buffer? Clinical evidence available? Is this common knowledge and I am the last one to hear about it? ;)

[deltawave]

MSM has a number of legitmate and well-studied properties, and an even longer list of apparently magical properties. :) It all depends on where you look and what you consider "evidence".

[arena run]

Ok... I am, unfortunately, getting a bit confused.

Should I, or should I not, give a joint supplement? If so, which one? Should I augment w/an ulcer thing (Uguard)?

My older gelding knows soooo much. I learned to barrel race on him the past two summers (two buckles and various other stuff to the good for me :D) and now I'd really love to learn to jump on him --- he's done both of these things w/my daughter for several years now. I just want to be the one in the saddle now, instead of coaching from the ground.

But ---- he needs a joint supplement. sylvia

[Mallard]

I was told ...by 2 vets, from 2 different clinics...that my ulcer-prone guy should stay clear of glucosamine and HA products.
They both said MSM was safe for him. Nothing was mentioned about it being a buffer.
He has not had any ulcer symptoms in nearly 2 years. He is maintained with daily Ugard.
He has been on MSM for almost a year.

[deltawave]

If you're convinced he "needs a joint supplement" (in spite of almost no evidence that anything given orally is even remotely effective) I would recommend either Adequan or Legend.