TALK SUMMARY:

Osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs is both a disease and an illness - a complex, progressive condition that impacts the entire dog: physically, physiologically, cognitively, and emotionally. While often associated with aging, OA can begin early in life, with signs frequently going unrecognised until the disease is well advanced. Its management poses challenges for veterinary professionals and caregivers, who must navigate fluctuating clinical signs, complicated case management, and tremendous emotional strain.

Osteoarthritis affects far more than just a dog’s joints. Chronic pain from OA leads to behavioural changes, sleep disturbances, reduced mobility, and secondary health concerns such as loss of function and weight gain. Dogs may also experience increased anxiety and other negative emotional states. OA can interfere with a dog’s ability to perform normal daily activities, leading to frustration, reduced confidence, and a general decline in welfare.

Physiologically, the presence of chronic pain can influence systemic health and contribute towards frailty. Cognitively, the ongoing discomfort may alter how the dog interacts with its environment and human companions, leading to learned helplessness or changes in routine behaviour. Emotionally, long-term pain changes affective states, potentially predisposing dogs to anxiety or depression-like states.

These multifaceted effects demand an approach that extends beyond pain relief and joint-focused treatment. We must recognise OA as a whole-dog disease and reframe our management strategies - from a purely clinical one to a holistic, lifestyle-focused intervention cognizant of acute on chronic decompensations.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Reconsider OA as a priority in practice – a welfare concern
  
  

• Introduce a framework to explain OA
  
  

• Encourage and empower a multimodal approach 
  
  

• Stress the importance of environmental management

Meet the Speaker

Purina is driven by an unwavering passion for pets, supported by more than 90 years of scientific expertise in pet nutrition, physiology and behaviour. Through Purina Vet Centre, it provides veterinary professionals with evidence-based education, practical resources and nutritional tools to support confident nutritional conversations and informed decision-making. This includes support for the care of senior pets, helping vets and veterinary nurses understand and address their changing nutritional needs to support healthy ageing and helping pets live better, longer lives.

Interested in our Senior Pet Toolkit?