Pain management in geriatric dogs requires a multi-modal approach addressing osteoarthritis, neuropathic pain, and other age-related conditions to maintain quality of life.
Geriatric dog pain management has advanced significantly with new pharmacological options. Traditional NSAIDs remain important for OA management but newer monoclonal antibody therapies provide additional pain control through a different mechanism, allowing combination therapy in more severe cases. The multi-modal approach — combining different drug classes, physical rehabilitation, weight management, and environmental modification — achieves better pain control than any single intervention. Physical rehabilitation including hydrotherapy is particularly valuable: warm water buoyancy reduces weight-bearing on arthritic joints while allowing muscle-strengthening exercise. Environmental modifications — orthopedic bedding, ramps, raised food and water bowls, non-slip flooring — reduce the daily pain burden of navigating home environments with arthritis.