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 (oral calcium PPS after cruciate surgery; subcutaneous sodium PPS after cruciate stabilisation) reported a significant primary-endpoint difference from placebo in pain, function, or radiographic progression, and the one positive finding was a subgroup split by baseline radiographic score.

Population

Review of randomised double-blind placebo-controlled DMOAD studies in dogs published 2000–2013: 12 found, 8 evaluating DMOADs, a mean of 32 dogs and 147 days each

Intervention

n/a

Comparator

n/a

Limitations

Only two randomized PPS trials met its criteria, both small and arguably underpowered; the search window closes in 2013 although the review appeared in 2025. No conflicts declared.