Early Diagnosis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the number one cause of chronic pain in dogs and a leading reason for elective euthanasia. The earlier you can diagnose it, or identify the dogs who are at risk of developing OA, the sooner you can start them on an OA treatment plan to help them stay active for longer.

In this section, you will learn more about the developmental orthopedic diseases that often lead to OA, the risk factors for OA, and screening tools you can implement in your practice to consistently identify signs of OA and the stage of the disease.

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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 […]

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. […]

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 […]