Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Osteoarthritis Early Detection and Pain Management

Canine osteoarthritis is extremely common but frequently underdiagnosed, leading to prolonged unrecognised pain in affected dogs.

Key Facts

Osteoarthritis affects an estimated 20% of dogs over one year of age
Dogs rarely show obvious pain signs, masking the true prevalence
Force plate analysis and validated pain scales improve early detection
NSAIDs are the mainstay of medical management and significantly improve quality of life
Weight management is the single most impactful lifestyle intervention

Welfare Considerations

The stoic nature of dogs means that osteoarthritis pain is frequently invisible to owners and even veterinarians. Dogs that are quietly enduring joint pain experience a significant reduction in quality of life. Earlier detection through owner education about subtle signs and veterinary assessment tools can prevent years of unrecognised suffering.

What You Can Do

Learn to recognise subtle signs of pain in dogs - reluctance, stiffness, changed behaviour
Ensure dogs are assessed for osteoarthritis at middle age and beyond
Support development of validated pain assessment tools for dogs