Osteoarthritis affects an estimated 20% of dogs and is significantly underdiagnosed. Recognising subtle pain signs and implementing multimodal management strategies can dramatically improve quality of life for affected dogs.
Canine OA welfare is significantly impacted by underdiagnosis and undertreatment. Owners frequently attribute signs of chronic pain — reluctance to jump, slower rising from rest, reduced play engagement — to normal ageing rather than treatable pain. Veterinary education and owner communication campaigns are essential to closing this gap. Once diagnosed, NSAID therapy provides the foundation of pain management but must be combined with weight management, physiotherapy, and environmental modification for optimal outcomes. Dogs at healthy weight with consistent analgesia, regular controlled exercise, and adapted home environments can maintain excellent quality of life even with significant joint disease. New anti-NGF therapies offer additional pain relief for dogs that have inadequate NSAID response. Welfare assessment tools including the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD) score and Canine Brief Pain Inventory allow owners and vets to track treatment response objectively.