New guide designed to assist veterinary practices with canine OA protocols

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A new treatment protocol guide for diagnosing and treating joint disease in dogs has been launched by American Regent Animal Health. Aimed at veterinary practices, the guide provides a framework for the creation of a standardized approach to managing osteoarthritis (OA), and provides resources for educating clients.¹

The protocol guide was developed in collaboration with Denis Marcellin-Little, DEDV, DACVS, DACVSMR, DECVS, professor of orthopedics and interim chair of the surgical and radiological sciences department at University of California, Davis. “Structure and consistency are very important,” Marcellin-Little said in a news release.¹ “By emphasizing a practical, step-by-step framework, we’re moving beyond philosophical guidelines to something that truly helps practitioners and pet owners manage OA over the long term.”

Support for OA care protocols

Veterinarian support for canine OA protocols was demonstrated in a 2024 survey conducted by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) in collaboration with Marcellin-Little and American Regent, the maker of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (Adequan Canine) intramuscular injection, which is FDA-approved for management of OA signs in dogs. Survey responses from hundreds of veterinarians showed 95% agreed a canine protocol was needed, which Marcellin-Little has described as a “cry for help.”²

Citing the “overwhelming” majority of veterinarians who indicated organized protocols dictating OA management are necessary, Marcellin-Little discussed the reasoning for these protocols in a lecture at the 2024 Veterinary Meeting & Expo in Orlando, Florida.³ “We want to improve the logistics of managing OA, make it less random, make it more standardized, more efficient. We want better science,” he said.

AAHA survey respondents indicated that OA protocols should include elements of management, education and science. Top responses included early disease management such as repairing cartilage health or slowing degradation, mid-stage management, disease prevention and understanding OA management products and strategies including when to implement them. Providing client education guidelines and resources was also highly sought-after by survey respondents.²

Four in 10 veterinarians surveyed in 2024 also agreed that their practice currently has an OA protocol in place, while 7 in 10 survey respondents said they have an OA protocol for senior dogs.² “Most agree that a protocol is realistic,” Marcellin-Little said in his lecture.³

Providing needed resources

With the new protocol guide, American Regent developed a framework for canine OA management geared towards veterinary practices. The guide features a 3-step plan that aims to help veterinary teams develop and implement an OA treatment protocol in their clinic. The plan includes the following¹:

• How to take a proactive approach to OA diagnosis
• Insights on how to establish a standardized OA treatment plan approach
• Tips for implementing an OA protocol into clinic operations

The guide also provides examples of multimodal treatment plans for the different stages of OA. Examples are organized around 3 categories as follows¹:

• Treating the disease with polysulfated glycosaminoglycan intramuscular injection
• Managing OA-associated pain and inflammation with products that may include anti-NGF monoclonal antibodies and/or NSAIDs
• Recommendations for lifestyle modifications and adjunct therapies.

Often, dogs are showing significant signs of pain by the time joint disease is diagnosed. At that point, OA damage can be detrimental to mobility, which is why the protocol guide features a proactive approach for early detection. Incorporating dog owners into the OA detection team is recommended, and the guide provides resources to help veterinarians educate their clients about identifying signs of the disease. Client resources include a “Symptoms and Stages of OA” poster, “Take the OA Quiz” window clings and a personalized treatment tear pad.¹

“By engaging pet owners in the process, they can work together with their veterinarian to spot the subtle signs sooner and take steps that will make a real difference in the well-being of their dog with OA,” Paris Revoir, DVM, professional service veterinarian for American Regent, said in a news release.¹

Takeaway

Although canine arthritis presents differently in each case, its’ potential to advance to debilitation and mobility loss if left untreated remains consistent, according to American Regent. However, the new OA protocol guide and client resources may help veterinarians and pet owners better detect signs of the disease and early in its onset.¹

References

1. A new protocol guide can help veterinarians standardize their approach to canine osteoarthritis. News release. Adequan Canine. February 13, 2025. Accessed February 24, 2025.
2. Coppock Crossley K. Veterinarians see benefit to canine OA management protocols. dvm360. February 9, 2024. Accessed February 24, 2005. https://www.dvm360.com/view/veterinarians-see-benefit-to-canine-oa-management-protocols
3. Marcellin-Little D. OA management protocol—time for a reset? Presented at: Veterinary Meeting and Expo; January 13-17, 2024. Orlando, FL.