Best Treatment Options for Dogs with Arthritis (OA)
- Fit-Pet Physio
- Feb 26
- 3 min read
OA is the most common chronic condition affecting 80% of senior dogs at the moment. Most treatment options strive to manage pain and mobility and slow OA progression. New research is surfacing in emerging therapies that we hope will lead to the regeneration of tissues, not just management.
OA is often categorised as cartilage degeneration, but in more recent years, the aspect of inflammation of the whole joint, including the synovium, has been taken into account when thinking about how to manage OA.
What does the research say about the most common treatment options for our dogs with arthritis?
There are a range of common treatments, and for the best management of OA in dogs, a combination of these treatments is usually needed. Please speak with your vet about which options are best for your individual dog.
Librela:
Librela is a relatively new injectable treatment for OA released in the UK in 2020 also known as Bedinvetmab. Librela is an anti-NGF monoclonal antibody and is typically well-tolerated. Librela is effective in most uses for reducing pain and inflammation. However common side effects include neurological side effects and lameness. Librela is also thought to be potentially linked to RPOA (rapid progressive OA), which causes severe pain and reduced mobility. Some research suggests this may be more common when librela and NSAIDs are used together however, research is limited in this area. Each librela injection lasts 1 month on average.
NSAID:
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as Meloxicam (metacam, loxicom etc.), Rimadyl, Onsior to name just a few, are commonly used to reduce both pain and inflammation in dogs with OA. These drugs are available in both liquid and tablet form. Common side effects include GI upsets.
Weight management:
Weight management is a key component of OA management as fat tissue contributes to chronic inflammation and increased weight leads to increased forces on joints, causing more pain. Using body condition scoring can help you monitor your dogs weight. Find out more about BCS here: https://www.fitpetphysio.com/post/overweightdog
Vet physio:
Vet Physio is extremely helpful for dogs with OA as we can use a multitude of different modalities, including Laser, PEMF, massage, hydrotherapy and remedial exercises to improve muscle mass, strength, mobility, and reduce pain. A mobile vet physio can also give you practical guidance on changes around your home that will help make your dog more comfortable. Vet physio is tailored to your dogs specific needs and can help you to monitor weight loss, tell you how to perform controlled exercises and advise you on how best to walk your dog in terms of terrain, time and distance. Your vet physio will constantly be reevaluating these recommendations to suit your dogs changing needs as they age.
Joint Injections:
Injectable treatment options such as synovetin, hylauronic acid, steroids, stem cells and PRP are injected directly into the affected joints and usually have better results in younger dogs with only 1-2 joints affected. These drugs aim to treat inflammation and pain, but also to regenerate damaged cartilage. Find out more about these agents here: https://www.fitpetphysio.com/post/day-in-the-life-of-a-vet-physio-at-the-navp-conference
Not sure if your dog has OA? Be sure to see your vet if you are concerned. Here are some common symptoms of OA that you may not know about.
Behaviour changes
More touch-sensitive
Noise sensitivity
Reluctance to run, jump, or exercise
‘Slowing down’
Reactivity
Wanting to play less or being less tolerant of playful dogs
Movement changes
Lameness
Stiffness
Changes to gait
Struggling to sit/lie
Struggling to do steps/jump
Reduced joint movement
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