Companion Animals

Companion Dog Osteoarthritis Management Advanced

Multimodal osteoarthritis management in dogs combines pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches for optimal welfare.

Key Facts

Osteoarthritis affects over 80% of dogs over 8 years old to some degree
New monoclonal antibody treatments targeting nerve growth factor provide long-lasting pain relief
Physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and weight management are evidence-based non-pharmacological approaches
Objective pain scoring using validated tools guides treatment adjustment

Welfare Considerations

Dogs with inadequately managed osteoarthritis experience chronic pain affecting every aspect of daily life. Modern multimodal management including anti-NGF monoclonal antibodies, physiotherapy, and weight management can achieve significantly better welfare than traditional NSAID monotherapy alone.

What You Can Do

Discuss multimodal osteoarthritis management including new biologics with your vet
Maintain healthy weight in senior dogs to reduce joint load
Provide physiotherapy or hydrotherapy referral for osteoarthritic dogs where available