Joint inflammation: Corticosteroids and other management strategiesMay 23, 2019Working horses are commonly diagnosed with, and are treated for, acute or chronic joint inflammation. For many decades, intra-articular (IA) injections of corticosteroids have been used to treat these conditions. However, considering how popular these injections are and the fact other treatment options exist, there is little consensus on questions regarding the "best" corticosteroid, how often such injections can be used, and how ultimately deleterious they are to joint cartilage. Treatment rationale Corticosteroid injections are one of the most commonly prescribed treatments for joint pain and inflammation resulting from osteoarthritis. Arthritis, of course, is inflammation of a joint. Uncontrolled, osteoarthritis is thought to lead to chronic changes in the cartilage and underlying subchondral bone. The cycle of inflammation, cartilage and bone damage, pain, and further cartilage and/or bone damage from ongoing inflammation can result in horses that are unable to perform for their intended use, or worse, are chronically lame and in pain. Corticosteroids are injected into joints in an effort to decrease inflammation. While the drugs are not directly pain-relieving, reducing joint inflammation can help interrupt the joint-inflammation cycle, thereby reducing pain. By decreasing pain and inflammation, horses are able to move more normally. Commonly used corticosteroids Three …
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Banfield and NAVC release report on osteoarthrosis in obese animalsJanuary 24, 2019A new report says 51 percent of dogs and 41 percent of cats diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) in 2017 were considered overweight or obese.
Use a joint approach to osteoarthritisJuly 9, 2018As they age, approximately 20 percent of dogs experience osteoarthritis, a condition exacerbated by excess weight as well as by stress on joints from working or performance activities. Breeds such as golden and Labrador retrievers are overrepresented, but degenerative joint disease isn’t limited to highly active dogs or even to old dogs.
Companion Animal Health offers live-stream OA management courseMay 17, 2018Companion Animal Health has introduced a live-stream option for the company's Management of Geriatric Pets with Mobility Issues for the General Practitioner course. The course is designed to give general veterinary practices access to the tools required to meet the need for expanded osteoarthritis treatment options in companion animals, according to Newark, Del.-based Companion Animal Health. Attendees will earn 11 continuing education credits while learning multimodal approaches for successfully managing the geriatric, arthritic, and obese dog/cat. Course topics include: Photobiomodulation (laser therapy) for osteoarthritis Nutraceutical use for the geriatric, arthritic pet Pharmacologic management of osteoarthritis Business and marketing strategies Enrollment is now open. Veterinary professionals interested in attending this course can get more information on dates and pricing here.
MAF study finds tramadol ineffective against osteoarthritis in dogsMay 9, 2018 A report funded by the Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) out of the University of Georgia has found tramadol to be ineffective in alleviating signs of pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. "The data shows conclusively that tramadol is not an effective drug in treating the pain associated with arthritis in the dog, despite its common recommendation," said Steven Budsberg, DVM, BS, MS, DACVS, professor of surgery/director of clinical research at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. "This use of tramadol is a classic example of failing to acknowledge and control for bias when evaluating a potential treatment." The reported data was collected by Dr. Budsberg and his research team via a randomized, blinded, placebo, and positive-controlled crossover study. The group compared tramadol against both placebo and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, with dogs afflicted with osteoarthritis of the elbow or knee assigned to receive each of three treatments in a random order and each treatment arm lasting for 10 days. Improvement was measured using a variety of tests to evaluate the patient's gait and pain. The results showed no improvement when tramadol was administered compared to either baseline or placebo. "This study reinforces the need to carefully and …
CE explores expanded treatment options for improving mobility in geriatric petsSeptember 19, 2017Companion Animal Health has opened enrollment for an educational course that the company said is "designed specifically to give general veterinary practices access to the tools required to meet the need for expanded osteoarthritis treatment options in companion animals" and "will equip practices with the practical knowledge of the best multimodal approaches for successfully managing the geriatric, arthritic, and obese dog and/or cat." Attendees will earn 11 continuing education credits, with the option of adding a regenerative medicine wet-lab to advance their expertise (for an additional four CE credits). A panel of speakers will educate attendees on the following topics: Nutritional Management for the Geriatric Dog or Cat Photobiomodulation (Laser Therapy) for OA Nutriceutical Use for the Geriatric, Arthritic Pet Pharmacologic Management of OA Business & Marketing Strategies "We took a look at what courses were being offered in our profession currently, and there weren't really any that combined more than one or two OA treatment options," said Lisa Miller, DVM, CCRT, CVA. "This disease responds best to a multimodal approach, so we designed a course to accommodate that need." Veterinary professionals interested in attending this course can find more information on dates, …
How to keep pet joint pain at bayMay 1, 2017Owners often bring their pets to their veterinarian when they notice their companions are no longer as active as they once were. These dogs and cats often overweight by the time they present to their veterinarian. If the diagnosis is osteoarthritis, the goal is to prevent any ongoing discomfort for pets. Often, owners ask if there was anything that could have been done to prevent it.
