{"id":24101,"date":"2021-08-16T18:54:07","date_gmt":"2021-08-16T18:54:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/?p=24101"},"modified":"2025-10-06T13:01:21","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T13:01:21","slug":"multimodal-pain-management-for-canine-osteoarthritis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/pain_management\/multimodal-pain-management-for-canine-osteoarthritis\/","title":{"rendered":"Multimodal Pain Management for Canine Osteoarthritis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common conditions in dogs, affecting up to 75% of adult medium-size and large dogs.1-3<\/sup> One corporate report of OA in dogs estimates a 66% increase in the past decade.4<\/sup> Yet a recent study of OA in primary care practices suggested that the prevalence of OA was only 2.5%, and the median age at the time of diagnosis was 10.5\u00a0years.1<\/sup> This suggests that canine patients are not screened at an early age, owners are not recognizing clinical signs, and veterinarians should be assessing dogs for OA at an earlier age and instituting treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Consequences of Osteoarthritis<\/h2>\n

Chronic OA results in pain, lameness, decreased joint range of motion, muscle atrophy, and decreased function and activity. Dogs often become overweight or obese as a result of decreased activity.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Identification of Osteoarthritis<\/h2>\n

Underlying Causes<\/h3>\n

Canine OA most commonly affects the shoulder, tarsus, and hip. Unfortunately, owners associate OA with old age when, in fact, many cases of OA may be attributed to conditions that develop in dogs younger than 1 year, such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and osteochondritis dissecans. Therefore, it is essential for the lifelong health of the dog that veterinarians evaluate large- and giant-breed dogs for these conditions at 6 to 8 months of age. Surgical correction that may slow the progression of OA is often possible if conditions are identified early and appropriate intervention is performed. As patients age, they should be checked during annual evaluations for OA, especially of the hips, elbows, and hocks. In addition, cranial cruciate ligament disease may result in secondary OA.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Owner Recognition<\/h3>\n

Owners should be asked about their dog\u2019s ability to function in the home environment (<\/span>BOX 1<\/span><\/strong>). Common findings with OA include difficulty rising after rest, difficulty negotiating stairs, reluctance to play, and lameness noted while walking or trotting. Validated questionnaires are available to further quantitate function, such as the Canine Brief Pain Inventory and the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs. One study found that owners did not recognize clinical signs prior to their dog\u2019s OA diagnosis, and some waited months before going to a veterinarian.5<\/sup>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

BOX 1 Osteoarthritis Screening Questions for Owners <\/div>
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