Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Osteoarthritis Early Detection and Management

Osteoarthritis in dogs is very common and very undertreated because owners and vets often miss early signs.

Key Facts

An estimated 20% of adult dogs suffer from osteoarthritis at any given time
Early OA causes subtle behavioural changes before obvious limping develops
Validated owner questionnaires like the Liverpool OA score can detect early disease
Multimodal management including NSAIDs, weight management and physiotherapy is most effective
Early intervention slows disease progression and maintains quality of life

Welfare Considerations

Most dogs with osteoarthritis suffer for extended periods before diagnosis because owners attribute reduced activity and reluctance to play as normal ageing. Active screening with validated tools identifies disease earlier and allows effective intervention.

What You Can Do

Use the Liverpool OA owner questionnaire annually from age 5 in dogs
Discuss early OA detection and management options with your vet proactively
Pursue weight management and appropriate exercise as core OA prevention strategies