Description
Translate current OA science into actionable treatment protocols for clinical practice
With an estimated forty percent of dogs affected by osteoarthritis pain, veterinarians need practical guidance that converts complex pathophysiology into effective clinical protocols. Canine Osteoarthritis and Chronic Pain delivers evidence-based strategies for identifying subtle pain indicators and developing tailored treatment plans. Board-certified surgeon and rehabilitation specialist Kristin Kirkby Shaw and general practitioner co-editor Hannah Capon provide actionable frameworks for busy practitioners.
This resource covers OA pathophysiology, traditional and emerging treatment modalities, and multimodal management approaches grounded in current evidence. Practitioners gain access to downloadable PDFs, instructional videos, questionnaires, and client handouts for seamless workflow integration. The book includes algorithms for personalized treatment planning and client engagement tools featuring educational videos and home exercises for strengthening arthritic limbs.
Readers will also find:
- Comprehensive examination protocols and diagnostic criteria for identifying pain indicators that may otherwise go undetected in clinical settings
- Treatment decision-making frameworks that balance optimal patient care with financial considerations and client compliance in general practice
- Client communication tools including educational resources and handouts that improve treatment adherence and strengthen the veterinarian-client partnership
- Evidence-based guidelines incorporating the latest research on OA pathophysiology, pharmacological interventions, and rehabilitation techniques for canine patients
- Practical resources for engaging the entire veterinary healthcare team in delivering coordinated, multimodal osteoarthritis management strategies
Designed for primary care veterinarians, veterinary specialists caring for dogs with joint disease, veterinary students, and technicians involved in canine pain management, this practical guidebook transforms complex scientific knowledge into actionable clinical strategies. Whether developing treatment plans or engaging clients in home care, practitioners gain the tools needed for compassionate, effective OA management.
Table of Contents
List of Contributors xxi
Foreword by Fox xxiii
Foreword by Eldridge xxv
Acknowledgments xxvi
About the Companion Website xxvii
Part 1 Laying the Groundwork: Principles and Framework for Modern OA Care 1
1 Read with Purpose: How to Approach This Book? 3
Kristin Kirkby Shaw and Hannah Capon
2 The OA Blueprint 6
Kristin Kirkby Shaw and Hannah Capon
3 What We Are Up Against: Understanding OA and Maladaptive Pain 10
Kristin Kirkby Shaw and Duncan Lascelles
Part 2 Set the Stage for Success: People, Patients, and Practice Culture 29
4 The Role of Fear and Anxiety in OA Care 31
Margaret Gruen and Michael Khan
5 “But My Dog Isn’t Crying Out.” How to Talk with Caregivers About OA and Pain? 37
Hannah Capon
6 It Takes a Village: A Team-Based Approach to Osteoarthritis Management 49
Jerrod Johnson
7 Tech to Tech: How to Be the Best OA Advocate for Your Patients? 55
Stephen Niño Cital
8 How to Create an OA-Friendly Clinic and Consult? 63
Tamsin Durston
Part 3 From Suspicion to Confirmation: The Art and Science of Diagnosing OA 73
9 When It’s Not So Simple: Differential Diagnoses for OA Lameness and Common Comorbidities That May Impact Your Plan 75
Wanda Gordon-Evans
10 It Starts with an Index of Suspicion: Screening Tools for Identifying OA 85
Kristin Kirkby Shaw
11 The Art of the Musculoskeletal Exam: Using Low-Stress Techniques to Establish a Diagnosis of Joint Disease 93
Kristin Kirkby Shaw and Ross Palmer
12 Diagnostic Imaging Techniques and Radiographic Features of OA 117
Matthew D. Winter and Danielle Mauragis
13 Put a Number on It: Stages, Grades, and Use of Clinical Metrology Instruments for OA 155
Mark E. Epstein, Kristin Kirkby Shaw, and Hannah Capon
14 How to Develop and Modify Your Plan? 169
Hannah Capon
Part 4 Building Your Plan: The Essentials of OA Management 185
15 Pharmaceutical Options for OA Management 187
Melina Zimmerman and Kristin Kirkby Shaw
16 The Biggest Impact: Weight Management and Nutrition for Canine OA 219
Joe Wakshlag, Ernie Ward, and Kristin Kirkby Shaw
17 Use It or Lose It: The Crucial Role of Exercise in OA Management 247
Kara Amstutz
18 OA Is a Way of Life: Home and Environmental Modifications 260
Hannah Capon
Part 5 Beyond the Basics: Adjunctive Therapies and Advanced Interventions 283
19 Surgical Management of Joint Diseases and Osteoarthritis 285
Christina DeArmond, Miranda de la Vega, and Laurent Guiot
20 Canine Rehabilitation: What It Is and What Techniques Can Help Dogs with OA? 320
Janet Van Dyke, Lindsey Fry, Jesscia Rychel, and Teri Lyn Willard
21 Joint Support Supplements: Do They Have a Place in Canine OA Management? 335
Leilani Alvarez
22 Intra-Articular Therapies 347
Jessica Rychel, Lindsey Fry, and Arielle Pechette Markley
23 Acupuncture for OA Management: Scientific Rationale and Practical Recommendations 361
Lindsey Fry and Arielle Pechette Markley
24 When It’s Not Quite Time: Palliative and Hospice Care 373
Sheilah A. Robertson and Bonnie D. Wright
25 When Pain Wins: End-of-Life Decision-Making 383
Mary Gardner
25.7.1 Supporting Families Through the Final Journey 390
Reference 391
Index 000
