Introducing joint supplements- initial 'loading' period?

LauraBR

LauraBR

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Not sure if 'loading period' is the right term but anyway...

I have had my horse on Cortaflex for about a year. After his recent injury the vets have given me a tub of Synequin to use instead. The Synequin says that when introducing it you need to give about 4x the normal amount for several weeks?

It's far from cheap and given that he was already on a similar supplement I'm wondering whether I am chucking money down the drain feeding at the 'loading' amount????

Anyone have any idea?
 
You should be able to get the synequin on insurance as the vets have given it to you. The amount is quite small anyway, the scoops are tiny! My loading period was just 2x scoop, the normal dose is 1x scoop. He was put on it a couple of years ago and now we just have cut his dose to 1xscoop once or twice a week, on vet advice.
Synequin is much more effective than cortaflex too.
 
This tub is on the insurance but I expect I'm going to have to buy it myself after it has run out? Not sure how long the insurance company would pay for supplements?

The loading amount is 3 scoops a day I think, maintenance amount is one scoop every other day *I think*.

Glad to hear it is more effective... keep meaning to do a bit of research on it but haven't got round to it yet, just trusted my vet and swapped
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Should be a year after the diagnosis/vet referral, just like with general claims they pay out for the particular treatment until 12 months after I think? (was with PetPlan) I questioned the vet about it as was already on a supp. am very skeptical about supplements in general! Hardly any of them have been independently tested!
I like the fact you can cut down on it though, it really does last once you get off the loading dose.
 
Synequin is far more effective than any of the others seem to be so once the loading dosage is finished it will last twice as long, you also need less of it normally than you do of the others as it's so effective, so it's more economical in the long run (doesn't feel like it when you're paying though!
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) Would be interested to know what your vet will charge you, mine was £25 dearer and another local one was almost £50 for exactly the same size! It's usually cheaper from www.wormers.co.uk and you don't need a prescription for it either; they also do it in satchets so no chance of wasting any which I think would be useful.
A friend's old arthritic TB has been restored to full fitness again after 3 years on bute and every other supplement which didn't do a lot for him, he'd still have a job to move. He now just has Synequin alone and is bouncing and broncing everywhere and she has saved a fortune into the bargain!
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I haven't had the bill yet- I'll let you know!

It is rather easy to waste isn't it- I wasn't expecting it to be such fine powder- a cloud of the stuff (probably worth about a fivers worth lol) went up and kind of hung in the air for a while when I tipped it out of the bag into the tub... ooops
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It is rather easy to waste isn't it- I wasn't expecting it to be such fine powder- a cloud of the stuff (probably worth about a fivers worth lol) went up and kind of hung in the air for a while when I tipped it out of the bag into the tub... ooops
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I've been there and done that, far too easy as you say!
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If you end up only needing 10gms a dose it would be easier to use the satchets; I know I'd use those in the future. (It's £120 from there now, both tub and satchets are the same price.) There's also Cosequin, I don't know if that is the same make up though or as effective.
 
My pony is currently half way through the loading dose of Synequin. She is currently on one scoop per day (previously two). It seems to be doing wonders already which is great and makes spending all that money (£150 eeek!) on a tub of powder worth it!
 
I also use the newmarket supplement and started as soon as my horse came home after her op.

I didnt feed a loading dose just fed as per the instructions.

I think my vets have made a mistake on the price tho as im getting a 1.5 kg tub which the cheapest i can find online for is 89.00 but the vets are charging me 55.00 a tub????????

Im positve they have made mistake but as im on my 2nd pot ( still on insurance claim and am going to ask for some more to come out in 3 weeks time ) i wont be saying anything hehe.
 
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The Frontline prices are nothing special, we sell it cheaper than that ( not advertising BTW)

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What by mail order? It's masses cheaper than I can buy locally.

 
I've just been given a tub of Synequin by my vet. Didn't realise it was that expensive. Hopefully, insurance will cover it initially. Anyway, its good to hear people think it is ffective because I'm always a bit sceptical about supplements. How long does a 100kg tub normally last once loading period is out of the way? (fingers crossed - not sure if I want to know!!!!!!!)
 
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