A review of the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of disease modifying osteoarthritic drugs (DMOADs) in dogs with special focus on glucosamine and pentosan polysulfate; do they work?

Bwalya EC, Wijekoon HS, Okumura M · The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

Independent review of the randomized canine record: neither placebo-controlled PPS trial it identified (injectable sodium PPS after cruciate surgery; oral calcium PPS) reported a significant primary-endpoint difference from placebo in pain, function, or radiographic progression — the decades of veterinary PPS use rest on practice patterns, subjective scoring, and subgroup findings rather than replicated controlled wins.

Population

Review of randomized placebo-controlled DMOAD trials in dogs

Intervention

n/a

Comparator

n/a

Limitations

Only two randomized PPS trials met its criteria, both small and arguably underpowered; a review cannot exceed its inputs.