🦴 DMOAD · Injectable

Adequan Dosage Calculator for Dogs

Precise polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) dosing for dogs — FDA-approved loading and maintenance protocols for osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, and degenerative joint disease with full injection schedule generation.

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Prescription injectable — administered by or under veterinary supervision. Adequan Canine is the only FDA-approved DMOAD for dogs. It modifies the disease process, not just symptoms. Intramuscular (IM) injection only — not IV or SC.

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About Adequan Canine (Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan / PSGAG)

Drug Class

Disease-Modifying Osteoarthritis Drug (DMOAD) — Injectable Joint Modifier

Mechanism of Action

Adequan (PSGAG) modulates the pathophysiology of canine osteoarthritis at multiple levels: it inhibits degradative enzymes (MMPs, ADAMTS) that break down cartilage matrix; stimulates chondrocyte production of proteoglycans and hyaluronic acid; and has anti-inflammatory effects in synovial fluid. It does not just mask pain — it aims to slow joint deterioration.

Primary Uses in Dogs

Degenerative joint disease (DJD), osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and post-orthopaedic surgery joint support. Also used pre-emptively in breeds prone to joint disease.

Dosing Quick Reference

Indication Dose Frequency
Induction series 2 mg/kg SC/IM 2×/week × 4 weeks (8 injections)
Maintenance 2 mg/kg SC/IM Monthly or as needed

Common Side Effects

  • Injection site reactions (pain, swelling)
  • Rare bleeding tendency (inhibits platelet aggregation — avoid before surgery)
  • Transient increased joint swelling
  • Pain at injection site

Monitoring

Assess joint range of motion, pain scores, and owner-reported quality of life scores at each visit. Radiographic monitoring every 12 months for joint changes.

⚠️ Avoid administration within 48 hours of planned surgery (mild anticoagulant effect). Adequan does not provide immediate pain relief — concurrent analgesics may be needed during the induction phase. Inject SC or deep IM; avoid IV administration. Store refrigerated.

What Is Adequan (PSGAG)?

Adequan Canine (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) is a semi-synthetic glycosaminoglycan derived from bovine tracheal cartilage. Unlike NSAIDs which only suppress pain and inflammation, Adequan is a Disease-Modifying Osteoarthritis Drug (DMOAD) — it actively inhibits degradative enzymes in synovial fluid (metalloproteinases, hyaluronidase, collagenase) and stimulates chondrocyte synthesis of proteoglycans and hyaluronic acid, slowing cartilage destruction and promoting joint repair.

It reaches therapeutic concentrations in synovial fluid within 2 hours of IM injection and persists for up to 3 days. The FDA-approved protocol consists of a loading phase (8 injections over 4 weeks) followed by maintenance dosing.

Mechanism of Action

  • Enzyme inhibition: Blocks matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase that degrade articular cartilage
  • Chondroprotection: Stimulates chondrocyte synthesis of proteoglycans (aggrecan) and collagen type II
  • Synovial fluid restoration: Promotes synoviocyte hyaluronic acid production, improving joint lubrication
  • Anti-inflammatory: Reduces prostaglandin E2 and substance P in synovial fluid
  • Subchondral bone remodelling: Evidence of reduced osteoclastic activity at subchondral bone

Pharmacokinetics

  • Bioavailability (IM): ~30% reaches systemic circulation; high partitioning into articular cartilage and synovial fluid
  • Peak synovial concentration: 1.5–2 hours post-injection
  • Duration in joint: Up to 72 hours
  • Elimination: Renal; dose adjustment not established for renal impairment
  • Concentration: 100 mg/mL solution (5 mL vials)

Clinical Indications

  • Canine osteoarthritis (hip, elbow, stifle, shoulder, carpus)
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Degenerative joint disease (DJD)
  • Post-surgical joint support (TPLO, FHO, TTA)
  • Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) — off-label adjunct

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter your dog’s body weight in kg or lbs — use current accurate weight, not estimated
  2. Select the treatment phase: loading (initial 4-week protocol) or maintenance
  3. Enter the treatment start date to generate a complete injection schedule
  4. Select your vial concentration (standard is 100 mg/mL)
  5. Click Calculate — the tool generates dose per injection, mL to draw, and a full dated schedule
  6. Refrigerate vials at 2–8°C; bring to room temperature before injection

🧮 Adequan Dose & Schedule Calculator

Use lean body weight if obese
Used to generate your injection schedule
For clinical context only

Adequan Dosing Result

Dose per injection

FDA-Approved Loading Protocol

Injection # Approximate Day Phase Frequency
1 Day 0 Loading Every 3–4 days (twice weekly)
2 Day 3–4 Loading
3 Day 7 Loading
4 Day 10–11 Loading
5 Day 14 Loading
6 Day 17–18 Loading
7 Day 21 Loading
8 Day 24–28 Loading
9+ Monthly thereafter Maintenance Every 30 days (or q14–21d for severe OA)

Weight-Based Quick Reference

Weight Dose (mg) Volume (mL) Approx. Vials (loading course)
5 kg (11 lbs) 10 mg 0.10 mL 1 × 5 mL vial
10 kg (22 lbs) 20 mg 0.20 mL 1 × 5 mL vial
20 kg (44 lbs) 40 mg 0.40 mL 1 × 5 mL vial
30 kg (66 lbs) 60 mg 0.60 mL 1 × 5 mL vial
40 kg (88 lbs) 80 mg 0.80 mL 2 × 5 mL vials
50 kg (110 lbs) 100 mg 1.00 mL 2 × 5 mL vials

Contraindications & Precautions

  • Known hypersensitivity to PSGAG or bovine-derived products
  • Do not use with heparin or other anticoagulants — PSGAG has mild anticoagulant properties
  • Use with caution in dogs with known bleeding disorders or pre-operative patients
  • Septic arthritis: Do not inject into or near an infected joint
  • Not evaluated in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs
  • Monitor: Mild injection-site reactions (transient pain, swelling) are the most common adverse effect

Frequently Asked Questions

Most dog owners report noticeable improvement in mobility and comfort within 2–4 injections (approximately 1–2 weeks into the loading protocol). However, the full disease-modifying effect on cartilage matrix takes 4–6 weeks of consistent dosing. Adequan works best when started early in the disease course — before severe cartilage loss has occurred.

Yes — many veterinarians teach owners to administer Adequan IM injections at home after proper training, particularly for maintenance dosing. You will need to learn correct IM injection technique (epaxial muscles or quadriceps are common sites), needle gauge (22–25G, 1 inch), and sterile handling. Never self-administer the loading phase without initial veterinary supervision.

Yes — Adequan and NSAIDs are complementary and are frequently used together. In fact, many dogs on chronic NSAID therapy see reduced NSAID requirements once Adequan therapy is established. Adequan has mild anticoagulant properties at high doses, so discuss your dog’s full medication list with your vet. Avoid combining with heparin or anticoagulants.

Adequan is injected directly and reaches therapeutic concentrations in synovial fluid rapidly — it has strong clinical evidence (FDA approval) for modifying osteoarthritis in dogs. Oral glucosamine and chondroitin supplements have variable bioavailability and much weaker clinical evidence. The two are not mutually exclusive and some dogs receive both, but injectable Adequan is considered significantly superior to oral supplements for disease modification.

Refrigerate at 2–8°C (36–46°F). Do not freeze. Once a multi-dose vial is opened, use within 28 days. Allow the vial to reach room temperature before injection to reduce injection-site discomfort. Inspect visually — discard if the solution is discoloured or contains particulate matter.

They are closely related but not identical. Adequan Canine (USA) contains polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) derived from bovine tracheal cartilage. Cartrophen Vet (used in Australia, UK, Canada) contains pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS), a semi-synthetic analog of heparin with similar but not identical mechanisms. Both are injectable DMOADs for canine osteoarthritis, but dosing protocols differ — do not substitute without veterinary guidance.

Adequan is used off-label in young dogs diagnosed with hip or elbow dysplasia. Some veterinary orthopaedic specialists initiate therapy early (from 3–4 months of age) to slow cartilage damage progression. The FDA approval covers dogs generally without a specified age minimum. Discuss with a veterinary orthopaedic specialist for growing dogs.

References

  1. Adequan Canine (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) prescribing information. American Regent Animal Health; 2023.
  2. Canapp SO, et al. The use of aqueous extract of Adequan in canine osteoarthritis. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 1999;12(3):116-123.
  3. Plumb DC. Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th ed. Wiley-Blackwell; 2018.
  4. Johnston SA, Budsberg SC. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids for the management of canine osteoarthritis. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1997;27(4):841-862.
  5. Hardie EM, et al. Radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease in geriatric cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002;220(5):628-632.
  6. McCarthy G, et al. Randomised double-blind, positive-controlled trial to assess the efficacy of glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate for the treatment of dogs with osteoarthritis. Vet J. 2007;174(1):54-61.