References
Understanding and managing pain in the arthritic synovial joint: an update
Abstract
Osteoarthritis is a very common cause of chronic pain in dogs and cats. Great progress has been made in the last 2–3 decades in unravelling the molecular mediators of joint pain. Now we are starting to see the benefits of this research in terms of new targets to block joint pain and new medicines reaching our pharmacy shelves. This review summarises the progress that has been made in understanding why and how arthritic joints cause pain. This will help readers understand novel medicines and provide insight into the others that might follow in the future.
Osteoarthritis is an incurable condition that is slowly progressive and a cause of chronic pain. Chronic joint pain is a real challenge for veterinary teams to manage, a source of considerable anxiety for pet owners and a welfare issue for dogs and cats. Estimates suggest that 7–20% of adult dogs have osteoarthritis, although case definitions vary in the literature (O'Neill et al, 2014; Pettitt and German, 2015). For cats, it is estimated that over 70% of older cats have radiographic osteoarthritis (Hardie et al, 2002; Godfrey and Vaughan, 2018; Monteiro, 2020). Some studies have highlighted the negative impact that osteoarthritis has not only on an affected pet, but also on the wellbeing of pet owners (Belshaw et al, 2020). The author has frequently witnessed the extreme disappointment that owners feel when they realise that their dog has a problem that might limit their mobility and ability to exercise. After all, taking the dog for a walk is beneficial for the physical and mental health of both dogs and owners alike (Westgarth et al, 2019).
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