Etiopathogenesis and multimodal management of canine osteoarthritis: A review

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent chronic musculoskeletal disorder in dogs and represents a major cause of pain, lameness, and reduced quality of life in companion animals. It is a progressive, non-infectious degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage degradation, subchondral bone remodeling, osteophyte formation, and varying degrees of synovial inflammation. Canine OA is multifactorial in origin, with aging, genetics, obesity, breed predisposition, joint abnormalities, and environmental factors such as exercise and housing playing significant roles in disease development and progression. The condition commonly arises secondary to orthopedic disorders including hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, and cranial cruciate ligament rupture, particularly in medium- to large-breed dogs. Diagnosis relies on a combination of clinical history, physical examination, radiographic evaluation, synovial fluid analysis, and advanced modalities such as arthroscopy and emerging biomarkers. Management of canine osteoarthritis requires a multimodal approach aimed at alleviating pain, controlling inflammation, slowing cartilage degeneration, and improving joint function. Current therapeutic strategies include weight management, pharmacological agents such as NSAIDs, corticosteroids, analgesics, disease-modifying drugs, nutraceuticals, physiotherapy, intra-articular therapies, and monoclonal antibody treatments, with surgical interventions reserved for severe cases. Early diagnosis and individualized, integrated treatment protocols are essential for optimizing long-term outcomes and improving the quality of life of affected dogs.