Osteoarthritis affects approximately 20% of adult dogs and is a major source of chronic pain. Modern multimodal pain management significantly improves quality of life for arthritic dogs.
Osteoarthritis in dogs causes chronic pain that profoundly affects quality of life. Dogs in pain from arthritis may be reluctant to exercise, have difficulty rising, show personality changes, and be less interactive with family members. Because dogs mask pain and owners often attribute reduced activity to 'getting old,' arthritis pain frequently goes unmanaged for extended periods. A dog that has been subtly painful for months before diagnosis and treatment has experienced significant unnecessary suffering. Modern pain management options for arthritic dogs are substantially better than even 10 years ago - monoclonal antibodies targeting nerve growth factor, newer NSAIDs, gabapentin, and physical rehabilitation together offer meaningful pain relief for most affected dogs.