Osteoarthritis in dogs is a common and chronic condition seen in small animal practice. The approach in caring for these patients is generally multimodal. Weight management is key, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are generally included in the treatment plan. In a past Evidence Based Update, I discussed some non-pharmacologic options for pain management.
There are instances when NSAIDs are not a good option to consider. Examples include patients receiving corticosteroids and patients at risk for or that have a history of gastrointestinal ulceration. In a recent webinar, I discussed Osteoarthritis in Dogs - Pain Management and Integrative Care options in detail (available for On Demand viewing).
Here is an example of a dog with osteoarthritis with a prior history of two stifle surgeries and an intolerance to NSAIDs (GI bleeds). A couple of different modalities have proven helpful in managing her discomfort including PEMF and Water Therapy:
