Osteoarthritis is common in middle-aged and older dogs and is frequently undertreated. Proactive pain management dramatically improves daily comfort and mobility.
Canine arthritis is chronically undertreated because dogs hide pain, owners attribute behavioral changes to aging rather than pain, and veterinary conversations about chronic pain management are often brief. The welfare implication is enormous — millions of dogs are living with daily chronic pain that could be significantly alleviated. The new generation of pain therapies including monoclonal antibodies has transformed what is achievable for arthritic dogs who could not tolerate NSAIDs. Earlier intervention prevents the central sensitization that makes pain increasingly difficult to manage.