All Articles | Canine Arthritis Resources and Education

How to Find the Right Veterinary Team for Your Dog’s Arthritis

We received a question from a CARE Pet Parent asking how they can find a veterinary team to help them manage their dog’s arthritis. We thought this would be a good opportunity to help other concerned pet parents that may […]

From the Literature: Early OA Management in Growing Dogs

By Gwen Francisco, BA, MFA, LVT, CVPP “A proposed framework for practical multimodal management of osteoarthritis in growing dogs” Marcellin-Little DJ, Hulse DA, Huntingford, JL, Grubb T, Brunke MW, Pechette A, Frank B. Front. Vet. Sci., 27 April 2025 Sec. […]

PEMF: Old is New Again

By Kara Amstutz, DVM, CCRT, CVPP, CVA Resident, American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Osteoarthritis is a progressive, debilitating condition estimated to affect approximately 20% of dogs ≥ 1 year of age and 90% of dogs > 5 […]

The Role of a Vet Tech/Nurse in Managing Osteoarthritis

Guest article by Mary Ellen Goldberg, LVT, CVT, SRA, CCRVN, CVPP, VTS – lab animal medicine (research anesthesia), VTS – physical rehabilitation, VTS – H (anesthesia/analgesia) NAVTA Vet Tech of the Year, 2017 How vet techs/nurses can help with client […]

Orthopedic or neurological? Key ways to distinguish the cause of abnormal gait

Guest Article by David Dycus, DVM, MS, CCRP, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons – Small Animal Orthopedic Staff Surgeon, Veterinary Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Group (VOSM) Co-Founder/Co-Director, Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Institute (VSMRI) Distinguishing between orthopedic and neurological […]

Joint Mobility Work With A Dog Recovering From Surgery

Comprehensive OA Care Plan
STEP 1: DIAGNOSING OA

The diagnosis of OA starts with an index of suspicion. When you meet Lucy, a 10-year-old Labrador that is weak in the pelvic limbs and the client describes her as “slowing down,” you will probably suspect that Lucy has OA […]

The 5 Stages of OA

Staging allows you to identify dogs at risk of developing OA and those with clinical symptoms of OA. It provides a common language that we can use to communicate between veterinary professionals and highlights the progressive nature of the disease. […]

Diagnosing OA: Understand the Risk Factors

EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF OA Identifying dogs at risk of developing OA or those with early OA offers you the best opportunity to provide a life-long, comprehensive plan of care. Below is a list of known factors that lead to, or […]

Early Diagnosis of OA: Identifying DODs

Developmental Orthopedic Diseases (DOD) are the most common cause of lameness in growing dogs. Examples of DODs include: Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Osteochondrosis/ Osteochondritis Dissecans (OC/OCD) Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head Patellar Luxation All of these conditions affect the […]

Comprehensive OA Management: The CARE Quad

The phrase “multi-modal management” is not a new concept in the treatment of canine OA. In fact, it was popularized in the early 2000s when veterinarians began to recognize there are options beyond “Rest and Rimadyl.” To be clear, Rimadyl […]