Cathy Barnette, DVM, a paid consultant for Covetrus^® 

If you are treating an ever-increasing number of senior pets, you’re not alone. According to a 2022 study, 52% of dog-owning households own a senior dog (7+ years old), up from just 42% in 2012.¹ As you treat an increasing population of senior pets, it’s only natural to expect that you will see more degenerative disease, such as osteoarthritis.

An optimal approach to joint health requires addressing this topic early and often. Clients should be made aware of the potential for osteoarthritis before their pet begins to show signs of disease; this can be accomplished through a team-based approach. Arming yourself and your team with tools to diagnose and treat osteoarthritis can increase the likelihood that these patients receive the care they need.



Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis
While osteoarthritis may seem like a straightforward diagnosis, clients often fail to recognize its signs. Signs of osteoarthritis are often misinterpreted as normal age-related changes, and clients often chalk their pet’s mobility issues up to “just slowing down.” Talk to clients about joint health, beginning at an early age. Highlight patient-specific risk factors, and help clients understand their pet’s individual risk of developing osteoarthritis. Involve your entire veterinary team in this process, asking about signs of osteoarthritis at every visit and discussing ways to maintain and promote joint health. In older pets, use detailed screening tools to assess for potential osteoarthritis.^2,3

These screening tools and questionnaires can reduce the likelihood of missing a diagnosis.  Treatment Options There are many available treatments for osteoarthritis. The treatments you recommend for a given patient will likely be based on a combination of factors, including disease severity, response to previous treatments, and client financial considerations. There are often several reasonable treatment options for any given patient; you and the client must collaborate to determine the best approach for their individual situation. 

Treatment Options
There are many available treatments for osteoarthritis. The treatments you recommend for a given patient will likely be based on a combination of factors, including disease severity, response to previous treatments, and client financial considerations. There are often several reasonable treatment options for any given patient; you and the client must collaborate to determine the best approach for their individual situation.

Consider the following treatments for patients with osteoarthritis:

Lifestyle changes
Weight management plays a significant role in the management of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is more common in overweight and obese patients; controlling weight in these patients can reduce signs of osteoarthritis.4 Work with clients to decrease their pet’s caloric intake. While you may be able to feed smaller portions of the pet’s current diet, prescription diets aid in reducing calorie intake while maximizing satiety. Work with clients to increase their pet’s exercise through low-impact activities, such as walking and swimming.



Nutraceuticals
A wide variety of nutraceuticals have been recommended for pets with joint disease. However, the evidence primarily supports the administration of four nutraceuticals:⁴

• Omega-3 fatty acids: aid in the management of pain and inflammation by decreasing the production of prostaglandin E2
• Green-lipped muscle: may have chondromodulatory and antiinflammatory properties; reduces clinical signs of osteoarthritis in both dogs and cats
• Glucosamine & chondroitin sulfate: used synergistically; glucosamine aids the repair/formation of cartilage and reduces inflammation, while chondroitin sulfate improves cartilage elasticity and reduces joint swelling.⁴

Nutraceuticals alone may be sufficient in early/mild cases, but they are typically inadequate for moderate to severe osteoarthritis unless combined with other treatments.

Polysulfated glycosaminoglycans
Veterinary polysulfated glycosaminoglycans (PSGAGs) are administered by intramuscular or intravenous injection. PSGAGs are intended to decrease inflammation in the joints, aid in the creation of joint-lubricating synovial fluid, and aid in cartilage repair. These drugs have been shown to be both safe and clinically effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis.^{5, 6}

Pain medication
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) play a valuable role in managing the clinical signs of arthritis. Unfortunately, the clinical efficacy associated with these medications is accompanied by numerous potential side effects, including gastrointestinal effects and accelerated cartilage degeneration.4 Work with clients to minimize the use of NSAIDs, when possible, using these medications as an adjunct to other treatments instead of as a sole or primary therapy.

Alternative therapies
Acupuncture, laser therapy, hydrotherapy, chiropractic, and other modalities can help manage pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. If you do not offer these services in your practice, partner with another local practice to offer your clients access to these services.

Monoclonal antibodies
A relative newcomer to arthritis treatment, monoclonal antibodies are currently available for the management of canine osteoarthritis. These antibodies bind to substances involved in pain signaling, decreasing clinical signs of osteoarthritis.⁷

Platelet-rich plasma
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains a variety of growth factors and signaling molecules, which reduce inflammation while promoting healing.8 This therapy is frequently used in equine patients, but its use is now being expanded to canine patients.⁸

Orthopedic surgery
In some cases, orthopedic surgery may be the best option. Whether your patient needs a total hip replacement or an arthrodesis, clear communication with the client is essential. Clients should be thoroughly educated about the details of surgery, including potential complications and anticipated side effects, recovery, and prognosis.



Summary
There is no “one size fits all” approach to osteoarthritis. Maximizing the quality of life for these patients requires a collaborative relationship with your client, allowing treatment options to be carefully evaluated with the pet’s needs in mind. Build this collaborative relationship from an early age, by educating your clients about the risk of joint disease and preparing them for the possible need for interventions later in their pet’s life. When osteoarthritis does arise, continue this collaborative conversation to determine the best possible treatment fit for their pet’s needs and their individual lifestyle. 

About the author Cathy Barnette, DVM is a veterinarian and freelance writer, based in Southwest Florida. After graduating from the University of Florida in 2006, Dr. Barnette spent 14 years working in small animal general practice. Her current professional focus is veterinary writing, creating educational content for veterinary teams and their clients. Dr. Barnette is a paid Consultant for Covetrus^®.  

1. Sprinkle, D. (2022). ‘Seniors’ are a growing part of the pet population. GlobalPETS. Retrieved from: https://globalpetindustry. com/article/seniors-are-growing-part-pet-population 2. Could your dog have osteoarthritis? Zoetis. Retrieved from: https://www.zoetispetcare.com/checklist/osteoarthritis-checklist 3. Could your cat have osteoarthritis? Zoetis. Retrieved from: https://www.zoetispetcare.com/checklist/osteoarthritis-checklist-cat 4. Johnson, K. A., Lee, A. H., & Swanson, K. S. (2020). Nutrition and nutraceuticals in the changing management of osteoarthritis for dogs and cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 256(12), 1335–1341. Retrieved from: https:// avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/256/12/javma.256.12.1335.xml 5. Epstein, M. (2014). Managing Chronic Pain in Dogs and Cats, Part 2: The Best of the Rest in the Management of Osteoarthritis. Today’s Veterinary Practice. Retrieved from: https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/pain_management/managing-chronicosteoarthritis- pain-in-dogs-cats/ 6. Food and Drug Administration (1997) FOI Summary for Original Approval of NADA 141-038. Retrieved from https:// animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov 7. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). FDA Approves First Monoclonal Antibody for Dogs with Osteoarthritis Pain. Retrieved from: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-approves-first-monoclonal-antibody-dogs-osteoarthritis-pain 8. McKally, R. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) in Canine Orthopedics. University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center. Retrieved from: https://vhc.missouri.edu/platelet-rich-plasma-prp-in-canine-orthopedics/  

 

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