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Adequan® Canine is a prescription injection used to control signs associated with noninfectious degenerative or traumatic arthritis in a dog’s synovial joints. It contains polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG), not glucosamine or a standard joint supplement.
The U.S. label specifies an intramuscular-only injection schedule: twice weekly for up to four weeks, with no more than eight injections in the initial course. Your veterinarian must determine whether it is appropriate for your dog, calculate the dose, and administer it or teach you the approved technique.
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What is Adequan Canine?
Adequan Canine contains PSGAG at a concentration of 100 mg/mL. It comes in a preserved, 5-mL multiple-dose vial, with two vials in a box, and is FDA-approved under NADA 141-038.
The approved indication is the control of signs associated with noninfectious degenerative and/or traumatic arthritis of canine synovial joints. In practical terms, a veterinarian may consider it for a dog whose arthritis is contributing to stiffness, reduced mobility, or lameness.
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The manufacturer describes Adequan as a disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug. However, the package insert says its specific mechanism of action in canine joints is not known. Laboratory findings suggest PSGAG may affect enzymes involved in cartilage breakdown and processes involving hyaluronic acid, collagen, protein, and proteoglycan synthesis. Those findings do not prove that the injection regrows damaged cartilage or reverses established arthritis.
How much Adequan does a dog get?
The labeled dose is:
- 2 mg per pound of body weight
- Equivalent to 0.02 mL per pound
- Also equivalent to 1 mL per 50 pounds
The volume calculation is:
Body weight in pounds × 0.02 = milliliters per injection
| Dog’s weight | Example labeled volume |
|---|---|
| 25 lb | 0.5 mL |
| 50 lb | 1 mL |
| 75 lb | 1.5 mL |
| 100 lb | 2 mL |
These are mathematical examples, not individualized prescriptions. A veterinarian should confirm your dog’s current weight and dose, especially if your dog is overweight, underweight, growing, ill, or receiving other medication.
What is the Adequan injection schedule?
The initial labeled protocol is:
- Give two injections per week.
- Continue for up to four weeks.
- Do not exceed eight injections in the initial course.
After the initial series, the manufacturer says the same protocol may be repeated when clinical signs return. The U.S. label does not establish a universal monthly or annual maintenance schedule. The timing of another course should be based on your dog’s response and your veterinarian’s assessment.
Do not replace the labeled schedule with a single injection every few weeks unless the prescribing veterinarian specifically directs you to do so. The manufacturer reports detectable PSGAG in synovial fluid and cartilage for up to 72 hours, while the clinical protocol uses twice-weekly treatment.
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How is Adequan given?
For Adequan Canine, the approved route is intramuscular injection only, into a major muscle group. It should not be described as interchangeable with a subcutaneous injection or an injection placed directly into a joint. Instructions for other PSGAG products, species, or off-label protocols may differ.
Adequan is prescription veterinary medicine. If your veterinarian has authorized injections at home, ask the clinic to demonstrate the procedure and tell you which muscle, needle, syringe, and restraint method to use. Do not attempt an injection based only on a diagram or online video.
Safe handling includes:
- Cleaning and disinfecting the vial stopper before entry.
- Using a sterile needle and syringe.
- Using each needle only once.
- Following aseptic technique to reduce the risk of bacterial infection.
- Never mixing Adequan with another medication or solvent.
Syringes are not supplied with the product. The manufacturer has not stability-tested Adequan after it has been drawn into a syringe, so do not prefill eight syringes for later injections. Draw up each dose and use it immediately.
How should the vial be stored?
Adequan Canine does not require refrigeration. Store it at controlled room temperature:
- Preferred range: 68–77°F (20–25°C)
- Permitted excursions: 59–86°F (15–30°C)
- Avoid prolonged exposure to 104°F (40°C) or higher
After the vial is punctured for the first time, use it within 28 days and puncture it no more than 10 times. Marking the first-puncture date on the vial can help prevent accidental use beyond that window. Ask a pharmacist or veterinarian how to dispose of unused medication and sharps.
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When might a dog improve?
The manufacturer states that owners may see improved mobility in approximately one month. That is a possible timeframe, not a guarantee. Some dogs may show an earlier change, while others may show little or no obvious benefit.
In the pivotal clinical efficacy trial, 51 dogs were evaluated. Twenty-four received Adequan and the remaining dogs received saline. Treatment was given twice weekly for four weeks. At the end of treatment, the Adequan group had statistically significant improvements in range of motion and total orthopedic score compared with the placebo group.
Adequan is one part of arthritis care. A dog that does not improve may have advanced joint disease, a different source of pain, an incorrect diagnosis, or an overall treatment plan that needs adjustment. Weight control, carefully chosen exercise, rehabilitation, home modifications, and other prescribed pain-control treatments may still be important.
When should a dog not receive Adequan?
The package insert lists or highlights these important restrictions and precautions:
- Known PSGAG hypersensitivity: Adequan should not be used in a dog with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to PSGAG.
- Bleeding disorders: Do not use it in a dog with a known or suspected bleeding disorder. PSGAG is described as a synthetic heparinoid, making abnormal bleeding an important concern.
- Kidney or liver disease: Use caution when a dog has renal or hepatic impairment.
- Pregnancy, breeding, or nursing: Safety has not been evaluated in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs.
- Other medications: The manufacturer says Adequan has not been evaluated for use with other drugs. Tell the veterinarian about every NSAID, steroid, anticoagulant, antiplatelet drug, supplement, and other medication your dog receives.
Do not stop or alter another medication without veterinary advice. The veterinarian may need your dog’s medical history, examination findings, and possibly bloodwork before choosing a joint-injection plan.
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Possible side effects
In the clinical efficacy trial, possible adverse reactions occurred after 2.1% of injections. Reported reactions included temporary injection-site pain, temporary diarrhea, and abnormal bleeding. They were mild and self-limiting in that trial and did not require treatment to be stopped.
Post-approval reports have also included vomiting, loss of appetite, depression or lethargy, and diarrhea. Very rare post-approval reports include death; spontaneous reports cannot establish how often this occurs or whether Adequan caused it.
Contact your veterinarian if your dog develops persistent vomiting or diarrhea, refuses food, becomes unusually lethargic, bruises or bleeds, or has marked pain or swelling at the injection site. Facial swelling, breathing difficulty, collapse, or another severe change requires prompt veterinary attention. Do not give the next dose without speaking with the veterinarian if a concerning reaction occurs.
Common Adequan misconceptions
| Claim | What the product information says |
|---|---|
| “Adequan is just a supplement.” | It is an FDA-approved prescription animal drug containing PSGAG, not a glucosamine or chondroitin supplement. |
| “It goes under the skin.” | The approved Adequan Canine route is intramuscular only. |
| “It must be refrigerated.” | The current U.S. package insert specifies controlled room-temperature storage, not routine refrigeration. |
| “One shot lasts for weeks.” | The labeled initial schedule is twice weekly for up to four weeks. Do not create a long-interval schedule without veterinary direction. |
| “It regrows cartilage.” | The mechanism in canine joints is not fully known, and the indication is control of arthritis-associated signs—not a guarantee of cartilage regeneration. |
| “Every PSGAG product has the same directions.” | Products, species, concentrations, and approved routes can differ. Follow the exact Adequan Canine label and prescription. |
What to ask your veterinarian
- What is causing my dog’s lameness or stiffness, and has arthritis been confirmed?
- What is the exact dose in milliliters for my dog’s current weight?
- Will the clinic administer each intramuscular injection, or can I be trained to give it at home?
- Which medications and supplements should be stopped, continued, or monitored?
- How will we judge whether the initial eight-injection maximum has helped?
- What signs mean I should delay the next injection or seek urgent care?
FAQ
How many Adequan injections does a dog need?
The labeled initial course is two intramuscular injections per week for up to four weeks, for a maximum of eight injections. A veterinarian should decide whether another course is appropriate if signs return.
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Can Adequan be given subcutaneously?
The approved route for Adequan Canine is intramuscular injection only. Do not substitute a subcutaneous or intra-articular route unless a veterinarian is addressing a different product or protocol.
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Does Adequan need to be refrigerated?
No. Store it at 68–77°F (20–25°C), allowing excursions to 59–86°F (15–30°C), and avoid prolonged exposure to 104°F (40°C) or higher.
How soon will Adequan help my dog?
The manufacturer says mobility may improve in approximately one month, but response varies. Lack of improvement should prompt a veterinary reassessment rather than an unsupervised dose change.
The Bottom Line
Adequan Canine is an FDA-approved PSGAG prescription drug for controlling signs associated with certain types of arthritis in dogs. The labeled dose is 0.02 mL per pound, given intramuscularly twice weekly for up to four weeks and no more than eight injections in the initial course. It may help mobility, but it is not a guaranteed cartilage-repair treatment or a substitute for diagnosis and complete arthritis management. Your veterinarian should confirm the dose, route, safety precautions, storage plan, and response criteria for your dog.
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