Delurking because my own experience totally contradicts this - I've used
glucosamine & chondroitin sulphate successfully for more than 15 years to
manage arthritis and tendinitis in my arms, wrists, shoulders, knee - it's
important that the dose is high enough - it should be calculated according to
the person or animal's actual weight - guidelines on the bottles are very
conservative & not nearly high enough.

We put one of our cat's on Cosequin when she was 16 years & began walking
with great difficulty up & down stairs & could no longer jump up on chairs.
She never regained her graceful jumping ability to reach the top kitchen
cabinets, but walked much easier, could get up onto chairs & managed the
stairs easily for the remainder of her life. She was put to sleep last fall
at 20-1/2 years because of cancer & her age - she wouldn't have tolerated
major surgery. She was on 2 Cosequins a day for the last 2 years.

My family physician has always encouraged me to use glucosamine saying it
does no harm & anecdotedly works for many people. My vet, who has managed all
our cats for many years & is very up-to-date, strongly encourages using
arthritis remedies for pets if the owner is willing & says in her (cat-only)
practice, she sees good results.

Back to the shadows.
M.