Immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) is a painful inflammatory joint condition in dogs that requires careful long-term management, with welfare implications for both pain control and treatment side effects.
IMPA welfare is a challenging long-term management problem because the primary treatment (corticosteroids) causes significant side effects with chronic use - increased thirst and urination, weight gain, muscle wasting, increased infection susceptibility, and behavioral changes including irritability. The welfare balance requires honest assessment of disease control versus treatment burden. Modern immunosuppressive protocols using steroid-sparing agents like leflunomide or azathioprine allow lower steroid doses and better long-term welfare in many cases. Regular welfare assessment using validated pain scales and quality of life tools supports better monitoring and treatment adjustment.