- Top 5 treatment options for osteoarthritis in geriatric dogs
- Introduction
- 1. Weight management - the basis of every therapy
- 2. Pain management - return quality of life
- 3. joint supplements - additional support
- 4. Physical rehabilitation - stay actively in motion
- 5. Transfer to specialists - for complex cases
- Individual therapy planning - a sample process
- Important aspects of communication with owners
- Common questions about osteoarthritis
- Conclusion
- Further literature & sources
Top 5 treatment options for osteoarthritis in geriatric dogs
Based on: Bryce Talsma, DVM, MS, ACVSMR-Resident & Jason Bleedorn, DVM, MS, DACVS-Colorado State
April 2025
Introduction
Osteoarthritis (OA), also called degenerative joint disease, is one of the most common chronic diseases in older dogs. It is characterized by the progressive degradation of the articular cartilage, inflammation of the synovial membrane, conversion processes in subchondral bones and the formation of osteophytes (bone growths). These structural changes lead to joint stiffness, pain and finally to restrict the movement.
The quality of life of the animals concerned can be significantly limited. Therefore, a comprehensive, individually adapted treatment program is essential. This article presents five evidence -based key strategies that have proven themselves in the treatment of OA in geriatric dogs - supplemented by clinical experiences, case studies and practical tips for veterinarians and pet owners.
1. Weight management - the basis of every therapy
Why is weight control so crucial?
Obesity represents one of the largest risk factors for OA. It increases the mechanical strain on joints, promotes inflammatory processes through adipocines and deteriorates the forecast. Studies show that moderate weight reduction can significantly improve lameness and pain symptoms.
Practical implementation
- Completion of nutritional status: Dietanamnesis, BCS (Body Condition Score) and weight.
- Determine target weight: with the help of a diet calculator (e.g. www.petnutritionalliance.org ).
- Protein -rich, low -calorie diet: Therapeutic reduction diets with an increased protein content must be preferred.
- Increase movement in everyday life: Adjust walks, integrate joint -friendly games.
Case study: "Luna", Labrador, 11 years
Luna was presented with a BCS of 8/9. After switching to a calorie -reduced diet, increasing activity and monthly weight control, it was able to lose 18 % of its body weight within 5 months - lameness improved significantly.
Communication with the pet owner
Talks about overweight are sensitive. Avoid evaluating language. Formulate positively:
"If we manage to reduce Luna's weight a little, we can significantly increase your mobility and joie de vivre - and probably also extend your lifetime."
2. Pain management - return quality of life
Pain is the main reason for functional restrictions at OA. Effective pain therapy is therefore essential and should be multimodal - i.e. by combining different principles of activity.
Medicinal options
Nsar (non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs)
- Most effective monotherapy for pain relief
- Examples: carprofen, firocoxib, meloxicam
- Monitoring: blood count, liver and kidney values before and during therapy (at least every 6 months)
Grapiprant
- PGE2 receptor antagonist (EP4)
- Better security profile than classic NSAID
- Limited data, but clinically useful for NSAR intolerance
Adjuvant painkillers
- Gabapentin/Pregabalin: For chronic neuropathic pain components
- Amantadin: NMDA receptor antagonist, often used in combination
- Tramadol: limited effectiveness, but useful at short notice
Bedinvetmab (monoclonal antibody)
- Aims at NGF (nerve growth factor), reduces chronic pain
- Monthly injection
- Good study situation, but observe possible side effects
Non-drug pain therapy
- Cold/heat applications
- Laser therapy (LLLT)
- Acupuncture : very effective for pain reduction in some patients
3. joint supplements - additional support
Nutraceuticals are not a miracle cure, but can contribute to basic therapy - especially in mild cases or as long -term support.
Recommended additions:
Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA)
- Demonstrably anti -inflammatory
- High dose required (approx. 100 mg EPA + DHA/KG KGW)
- Sources: fish oil (caution in oxidized products), special OA diets
Type-II collages (undenaturated)
- Promoting immune tolerance, reduces cartilage breakdown
- Moderate evidence, but good tolerance
Cannabidiol (CBD)
- Anti -inflammatory and pain -relieving
- Observe legal and quality aspects
- Effectiveness not yet clearly clarified
Unspecified
- Glucosamine/chondroitin: very weak study situation, hardly any significant effects
4. Physical rehabilitation - stay actively in motion
Rehabilitation is a central part of OA therapy and improves mobility, muscle mass and coordination. The individual adaptation to the patient is important.
Possible measures:
- Underwater treadmill: articulated training with buoyancy
- Massage, passive exercises
- Balance and coordination training
- Therapeutic ultrasound & tens
Advantages:
- Improving the quality of life
- Slowing the course of the disease
- Promotion of human-animal binding
Find certified therapists
In the USA about the Canine Rehabilitation Institute or Veterinary Academy of Higher Learning - in Germany z. B. about the Society for Animal Physiotherapy.
5. Transfer to specialists - for complex cases
Not every OA case appeals to basic therapy. In such cases, a transfer can be useful.
Possible special treatments:
- Arthroscopy: minimally invasive diagnostics and, if necessary, therapeutic interventions
- Intra -articular injections:
- Corticosteroids (only short -term)
- Hyaluronic acid
- Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
- Stem cell therapy (experimental)
- Shock wave therapy (ESWT): stimulates healing, reduces pain
- Surgery: In severe cases, joint stiffening or replacement
Individual therapy planning - a sample process
Case: "Sammy", Golden Retriever, 12 years, OA in hips and elbows
- Diagnosis: X -ray + clinical examination
- Therapy plan:
- NSAID (Firocoxib), Omega-3 supplement
- Weight reduction: -4 kg in 3 months
- Rehabilitation: underwater treadmill 2x/week
- Later: changeover to Bedinvetmab due to stomach problems under NSAID
Result after 6 months:
- Clearly increased mobility
- Less pain reliever
- According to the owner, quality of life "significantly improved"
Important aspects of communication with owners
- Set realistic expectations: OA is not curable, but easily controllable
- Long -term emphasis: therapy successes often only appear after weeks
- Promote compliance: clear instructions, plan rehabilitation dates, lead weight diary
- Early reaction to relapses: adaptation of the medication or other measures
Common questions about osteoarthritis
How do I know that my older dog suffers from osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis often develops and is not always perceived as a serious illness by dog owners, since many signs are incorrectly dismissed as "normal signs of age". Typical symptoms are:
unchanging movement: your dog is less active, avoids stairs or no longer jumps into the car.
Lameness or lagging: especially after getting up ("starting pain"), it often gets better during the day.
Changed behavior: irritability, withdrawal or occasional growling when touching joints can be a sign of pain.
Muscle reduction: especially on the hindquarters because the dog moves less.
Joint changes: swelling, thickening or crunching (crepitation) in certain joints.
Sleeping behavior: your dog is more common or often changes the lying position because he is unpleasant.
A veterinarian can make an exact diagnosis through clinical examination, orthopedic tests, X -rays and possibly further diagnostics such as CT or arthroscopy. It is crucial to recognize and treat OA early - not only when the dog shows severe pain.
Which long -term pain relievers are safe for my dog, and what do I have to consider?
The long -term administration of painkillers is usually necessary at OA, but must be monitored well. The first choice is non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as:
carprofen (rimadyl)
meloxicam (metacam)
firocoxib (previcox)
robenacoxib (onsior) - approved for short use
These drugs have an anti -inflammatory and pain -relieving effect. They are well tolerated as long as certain precautions are met:
blood tests before starting (liver and kidney values, blood count)
Regular monitoring: Every 3–6 months control of organ values
does not combine with corticosteroids: Risk for stomach ulcers
do not use in gastrointestinal diseases, kidney problems or bloody diarrhea
If NSAars are not tolerated: There are alternatives:
Grapiprant (Galliprant): EP4 receptor antagonist with more targeted effect and better tolerance-but expensive
Bedinvetmab (Librela): New therapy with monoclonal antibodies, monthly injection, mostly very well tolerated
Gabapentin or amantadine: Supporting in chronic pain components
A "medication cocktail" can be used in low doses Often better tolerable and effective than a high dose of a single preparation.
What role does nutrition play in the treatment of osteoarthritis?
Nutrition has a crucial influence on the course of the OA. Good management begins with the right body weight , but goes far beyond. Important aspects:
1. Weight reduction:
Obesity puts a mechanical effect on the joints and promotes systemic inflammatory processes. Even a reduction of 5–10 % of body weight can show measurable improvements in mobility and pain.
2. Protein requirement:
Older dogs with muscle loss in particular need a higher protein intake to maintain muscle mass - about 2 g protein/kg of fat -free body mass . This applies in particular to dogs in rehab or with limited activity. Beware of kidney diseases - this is necessary to consult the vet.
3. Supplementary substances:
omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA): high (at least 100 mg/kg KGW), e.g. B. from fish oil or special diets. Effort in anti -inflammatory and pain -relieving effect.
Antioxidants: vitamin E, C, selenium - for reducing oxidative stress in joints
joint diets: Veterinary special feed (e.g. Hill's J/D, Royal Canin Mobility, Vetconcept arthrodiet) combine many of these elements.
4. Diet advice:
Cooperation with animal nutrition advice can be worthwhile, especially in patients with several diseases (OA + diabetes, OA + kidney disease).
How does physiotherapeutic treatment work in my dog and how do I find a qualified practice?
Physiotherapy-also known as animal physiotherapy or canine rehabilitation-is an important pillar of OA treatment. The aim is to relieve pain, maintain mobility and to counteract muscle breakdown. Measures include:
Therapeutic measures:
manual therapy: joint mobilization, massage, passive movement exercises
Active movement exercises: muscle building, equilibrium training, coordination training course
Hydrotherapy: underwater treading- particularly effective by buoyancy, joint gentle and muscle-activating
electrotherapy: TEN for pain relief
laser or magnetic field therapy: To promote healing
process:
First search with Gang analysis and findings
Creation of a therapy plan with exercises for home
regular progress checks and adaptation of the
therapist therapists find:
In Germany:
www.tierphysiotherapy.de (professional association)
www.gtpd.de (Society for Animal Physiotherapy)
You also ask your veterinary clinic - many offer rehab or cooperate with mobile therapists.
A good therapist creates individual plans, works closely with your vet and shows you exercises for at home.
Is osteoarthritis curable or does the diagnosis mean the end of my dog's quality of life?
Oa is not curable because it is a chronic degenerative disease - but it is very easy to treat . The aim is not to eliminate the disease, but to maintain or even improve the quality of life.
What can be achieved?
Pain relief: Medicines and alternative methods
preserve mobility: through movement, weight management and physiotherapy
slow
slowdowing progress:
Promote well -being through targeted diet, supplements and protected joints:
Many
dogs with OA can still actively and satisfied for years . Realistic expectations
OA does not mean that your dog has to suffer. With an individual, multimodal approach and committed care, a geriatric dog can lead a happy, active life despite OA - often longer and symptom -free than many owners think.
Conclusion
The treatment of osteoarthritis in geriatric dogs requires comprehensive, multimodal management. A precise diagnosis, realistic objectives and close cooperation with the animal owner are crucial. The quality of life of the patient can be significantly improved through early intervention, consistent pain therapy, weight optimization, supplementary feed and movement therapy.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common chronic joint diseases in older dogs. The disease osteoarthritis is characterized by a progressive reduction in articular cartilage, inflammation of the joint inner skin and conversion processes in subchondral bones and osteophyte formation. These structural changes in osteoarthritis lead to pain, restricted movement and reduced quality of life. Since osteoarthritis is not curable, treatment to relieve the symptoms and maintenance of mobility aims.
Weight management plays a key role in the therapy of osteoarthritis. Obesity exacerbates the course of osteoarthritis because it increases the joint load and increases inflammatory processes. Studies show that moderate weight reduction in osteoarthritis patients can already make noticeable improvements. In older dogs with osteoarthritis, keeping an ideal body weight is crucial.
Another central element in the treatment of osteoarthritis is pain management. Non-steroidal anti-rheumatics (NSAID) are considered the gold standard in osteoarthritis therapy. They have an anti -inflammatory and pain -relieving effect. In dogs with osteoarthritis that do not tolerate NSAR, alternatives such as grapiprant or the monoclonal antibody are available. Regular veterinary surveillance is necessary for every drug therapy for osteoarthritis.
Joint nutritional supplements are also used to supplement pain therapy for osteoarthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids in particular have proven to be effective in osteoarthritis because they have anti-inflammatory properties. Other additions such as type II collages or cannabidiol have a supportive effect in osteoarthritis, while glucosamine/chondroitin in osteoarthritis has no proven efficiency.
Physical rehabilitation is another elementary part of osteoarthritis management. Through targeted exercises, underwater treadmill, manual therapies and electrotherapy, mobility in osteoarthritis can be improved. Physiotherapy also promotes muscle strength and delays the progress of osteoarthritis.
In difficult to treat cases of osteoarthritis, the transfer to specialists can be useful. These offer extended diagnostic and therapeutic measures such as arthroscopy, intra -articular injections or shock wave therapy. The aim of these measures is to get the best possible joint function in osteoarthritis.
Nutrition also plays a major role in osteoarthritis. Special diets with a high protein content and adapted energy content support muscle mass and weight management in osteoarthritis. In addition, many of these diets contain anti -inflammatory components that can positively influence the course of osteoarthritis.
An important aspect of dealing with osteoarthritis is to clarify the animal owners. They should be informed about the chronic course, the treatment options and the importance of long -term care. Osteoarthritis requires patience, commitment and interdisciplinary cooperation.
In summary, it can be said that osteoarthritis is a complex but treatable suffering. An individually adapted therapy plan with a combination of weight management, pain therapy, nutrition, nutritional supplement, rehabilitation and, if necessary, special therapy can significantly improve the quality of life in osteoarthritis. The early diagnosis of osteoarthritis and the continuous adaptation of the treatment are crucial to prevent progress and suffering.
Osteoarthritis is not curable, but with the right management, dogs with osteoarthritis can lead a fulfilling, active life. It is crucial that everyone involved - veterinarian, therapist and pet owner - works closely together in the treatment of osteoarthritis. This multimodal approach significantly slow the negative course of osteoarthritis.
Overall, it can be seen that osteoarthritis in geriatric dogs can be better understood and treated today than ever. With knowledge, commitment and modern veterinary medicine, you can successfully meet the challenges of osteoarthritis.
Further literature & sources
- KEALY et al. J at Vet Med Assoc. 2002; 220 (9): 1315–1320
- Marshall WG et al. Vet Rec. 2010; 166 (23): 700–703
- German AJ et al. J Small Anim Pract. 2010; 51 (9): 490–496
- Courcier EA et al. J Small Anim Pract. 2011; 52 (10): 507–514
- Innes JF, et al. Vet J. 2010; 183 (3): 226–231
- LASCELLES BDX. Vet J. 2013; 196 (3): 277–284
- Gruen me et al. J VET Intern. 2017; 31 (2): 468–477
- Johnston Sa. Vet Clin North am Small Anim Pract. 1997; 27 (4): 699–723
- Rausch-Derra l et al. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2016; 39 (6): 564–570
- Aragon Cl et al. Vet Clin North am Small Anim Pract. 2007; 37 (6): 1109–1126
- Enomoto m et al. Front Vet Sci. 2019; 6: 228
- Webb TL et al. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2021; 34 (6): 401–409
- Corbee RJ et al. Animals. 2021; 11 (5): 1351
- FDA CVM ADVERSE Event Notification, 2023
- McKenzie Ba. Vet Rec. 2010; 167 (17): 647–652
- Bleedorn yes et al. Vet Surg. 2011; 40 (6): 756–762
- Franklin SP et al. Vet Surg. 2022; 51 (2): 281–288
- Millis DL, Levine D. Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy , 2nd Ed. Saunders, 2014