Zoetis Partners with Arthritis Foundation to Raise Awareness of Osteoarthritis Pain in Pets
Many people, even seasoned pet parents, don’t realize just how common osteoarthritis (OA) is in dogs and cats. Research shows that nearly 40 percent of all dogs and cats have signs of osteoarthritis pain [1, 2] — and those signs can be subtle and easy to miss.
“OA is often considered an ‘old dog disease’ but dogs of any age can suffer from this painful condition,” says Dr. Courtney Pierce, a veterinarian and canine pain medical lead at animal health company, Zoetis. In fact, one study found that 39 percent of dogs between the ages of 8 months and 4 years had radiographic signs of OA in at least one joint [3].
To raise awareness of osteoarthritis pain in pets and underscore the importance of early detection, Zoetis recently announced a two-year partnership with the Arthritis Foundation. As part of this partnership, Zoetis will provide educational resources and tools to pet parents about how to recognize the signs of OA pain in dogs and cats.
The warning signs of osteoarthritis pain in pets
OA is a painful and progressive disease but signs can be easily overlooked or go unnoticed. Many animals, especially cats, are instinctively good at hiding their pain.
“The pain of OA can impact a pet’s physical and emotional health,” Dr. Pierce says. Signs of OA may include:
- Difficulty going up or down stairs
- Lagging behind on walks
- Hesitation to jump up or down
- Limping after exercise
- Becoming more withdrawn
How is OA in pets treated?
OA is not curable but can be managed with a combination of medications and lifestyle modifications. If you think your pet is suffering from OA pain, consult your veterinarian about any changes you have observed.
“A veterinarian can perform a comprehensive physical exam and appropriate diagnostics (such as X-rays) to determine if osteoarthritis is present,” Dr. Pierce says. If a diagnosis is made, the veterinarian will work with you to create a comprehensive approach to managing osteoarthritis.
New treatments are always in the works and pain control options, such as monthly injectable monoclonal antibodies administered by a veterinarian or prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can help bring pets relief.
“There are also numerous adjunctive therapies that pet owners may consider with input from their veterinarian including physical therapy, rehabilitation, acupuncture, and supplements,” Dr. Pierce adds. Controlling OA pain can help your pet feel better, be more active, and get back to the activities you both love, she says.
There are also some steps you can take to help reduce a pet’s risk of developing OA. “While there is no surefire way to prevent OA, the most important step pet owners can take to help prevent or delay the onset of osteoarthritis (OA) pain in their dogs [and cats] is to maintain a healthy body weight,” Dr. Pierce says.
Keeping pets at an appropriate body weight reduces the stress and strain on the joints and can significantly impact the progression of OA.
Zoetis will participate as the National Presenting Sponsor of the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run in 2024 and 2025, as well as Walk to Cure Arthritis events in 2025 and 2026.
References
- IHS Markit. (2021) Canine and Feline Pain Market 2021: Animal Health Market Analysis; Wright A, et al. Identification of canine osteoarthritis using an owner-reported questionnaire and treatment monitoring using functional mobility tests. J Small Anim Pract, 2022. http://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13500.
- Enomoto, M, et al., Anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibodies for the control of pain in dogs and cats. Vet Rec, 2019.
- Enomoto, Masataka et al. “Prevalence of radiographic appendicular osteoarthritis and associated clinical signs in young dogs.” Scientific reports vol. 14,1 2827. 3 Feb. 2024, doi:10.1038/s41598-024-52324-9
