PSGAG (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan)

What is this medication for?

• Non-infectious degenerative/traumatic arthritis (label — the "disease-modifying" injectable)
• Non-infectious/traumatic joint dysfunction + carpal lameness (label)
• Chondroprotection (anecdotal tier)

How is it given?

This medication is normally given by your veterinary team (in clinic or hospital).

What if I miss a dose?

• Give it as soon as you remember — unless it is almost time for the next dose (then skip the missed one; never double up).
• Call your clinic if you miss more than one dose in a row.

Side effects — what should I watch for?

Effects listed as common in this handout

• into a muscle route: adverse effects unlikely (The clean-route reputation)
• Post-IA-injection inflammation (pain/effusion/lameness — sensitivity, technique, frequency) (IA-route risk)
• Joint sepsis after IA injection (The catastrophic-if-sloppy risk — asepsis is the rule)

Worth a phone call to your veterinarian

• Dose-related coagulation inhibition (dogs) (Bleeding tendency described)
• Increased bleeding post-arthrotomy (unconfirmed) (Timing caution)

⚠️ Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic IMMEDIATELY if you notice

• Trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, severe vomiting or diarrhea, facial swelling, or pale gums

Before starting (or refilling), tell your veterinarian if your pet:

• has or has had: Hypersensitivity (IA); not a substitute for infection treatment, surgery, or immobilization where indicated
• has or has had: Don't use within 1 wk of arthrotomy (dog — unconfirmed bleeding concern); coagulopathy watch

• is pregnant, nursing, or used for breeding
• is taking any other medications, supplements, or flea/tick products, including:
  • Anticoagulants (dog coagulation effect)
  • Amikacin 125 mg (deliberate IA companion)

Storage and handling

into a muscle series = owner-friendly injection training; IA = hospital aseptic technique + amikacin-125-mg companion rule (horses).

Good to know

• The into a muscle route that acts IN the joint: articular levels beating serum after into a muscle dosing is the Adequan PK legend — injection series without needle-in-joint risk.
• The IA trade: faster local effect but post-injection flare + sepsis stakes — hence the amikacin-125 companion habit in equine practice.
• "Disease-modifying" in the label sense: proteoglycan preservation + enzyme inhibition vs the symptomatic-only tier (NSAIDs) — the OA-treatment ladder teaching point.