DOGS OF ALL AGES COULD BE AFFECTED BY CHRONIC PAIN

OA should now be recognized as a disease that can affect young dogs – and early diagnosis of OA can lead to improved outcomes and quality of life for the dog. In fact, timely intervention, can often lead to improved clinical outcomes and improved quality of life for the dog.

  • In a recent study using a canine OA screening checklist, close to 40% of dogs screened had clinical signs of OA1
  • Prevalence exceeds 20% of dogs over 1 year of age2
  • Chronic OA pain is not uncommon in the young dog population3
  • In general, OA is underdiagnosed and undertreated3
  • As we learn more and more about OA, we are realising it is a disease not only affecting the joint, but the dog´s whole body and psyche, which impacts the pet-owner bond3
  • Owners with dogs with clinical OA, noticed signs of impairment in 51.7% of cases but only 3% of them were treated, 2 out of 15 dogs overall!4

References

  1. Wright A, Amodie DM, Cernicchiaro N, Lascelles BDX, Pavlock AM, Roberts C, Bartram DJ. Identification of canine osteoarthritis using an owner-reported questionnaire and treatment monitoring using functional mobility tests. J Small Anim Pract. 2022 Aug;63(8):609-618. doi: 10.1111/jsap.13500. Epub 2022 Apr 6. PMID: 35385129; PMCID: PMC9543207.
  2. Clements DN, Carter SD, Innes JF, Ollier WE. Genetic basis of secondary osteoarthritis in dogs with joint dysplasia. Am J Vet Res. 2006 May;67(5):909-18. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.67.5.909. PMID: 16649929.
  3. Mathews K, Kronen PW, Lascelles D, Nolan A, Robertson S, Steagall PV, Wright B, Yamashita K. Guidelines for recognition, assessment and treatment of pain: WSAVA Global Pain Council members and co-authors of this document: J Small Anim Pract. 2014 Jun;55(6):E10-68. doi: 10.1111/jsap.12200. Epub 2014 May 20. PMID: 24841489.
  4. Enomoto M, de Castro N, Hash J, Thomson A, Nakanishi-Hester A, Perry E, Aker S, Haupt E, Opperman L, Roe S, Cole T, Thompson NA, Innes JF, Lascelles BDX. Prevalence of radiographic appendicular osteoarthritis and associated clinical signs in young dogs. Sci Rep. 2024 Feb 3;14(1):2827. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-52324-9. PMID: 38310147; PMCID: PMC10838335.