Liver problems after Glucosamine in dogs

The FDA has received 236 reports of liver problems in dogs after Glucosamine. That is 13% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

236Reports
69%Marked serious
9.3%Recovered
29%Died or euthanised
41 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
19 13%
1–2 days
10 6.8%
3–7 days
15 10%
1–4 weeks
25 17%
Over a month
77 53%

How the animals did

Recovered
17 7.2%
Recovered with lasting effects
5 2.1%
Still unwell when reported
99 42%
Died
16 6.8%
Euthanised
52 22%
Not known
47 20%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
5
4–7 years
46
8–11 years
105
12+ years
80

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Glucosamine cause liver problems in dogs?
236 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?
In half of the reports with dates, it started within 41 days of the first dose.
What should I do?
Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Liver problems with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Glucosamine in dogs · Medicines most reported with liver problems