Hip and elbow dysplasia, cruciate ligament disease, and osteoarthritis are prevalent orthopedic conditions in dogs that cause chronic pain preventable through breeding, weight, and exercise management.
Dogs with chronic joint disease live with persistent pain that reduces activity, disrupts sleep, and diminishes quality of life over months and years. The welfare burden of joint disease in companion dogs is enormous — it is among the most common reasons for senior dog euthanasia. Much of this suffering is preventable through responsible breeding using health-tested parents, maintaining lean body weight throughout the dog life, and providing appropriate controlled exercise. Pain management with NSAIDs and adjunct therapies dramatically improves quality of life for affected dogs.